Every year, we make the cutest upcycling snowman craft using just a few materials that you most likely already have in your classroom.  This water bottle snowman craft  is perfect in place of guided reading during the holidays, or you can try it whole group.

Materials for water bottle snowman craft

Here's what you need need:

Steps

• Have students tear off the wrapper and dry out the water bottles {I had them leave them upside down for the morning and then right-side up in the afternoon}.
• Have students draw eyes, a coal mouth, and buttons on their water bottle.  You can even glue on cute buttons, but this was a last-minute idea and I was short on time!

• While students were drawing their faces and buttons, I walked around with orange puffy paint and added a carrot nose.

• Then, have them fill up their water bottle with white packing peanuts or cotton balls.  I put a huge box with packing peanuts and let each table group sit around it and fill up their bottles.  Luckily, I received a package with lots of packing peanuts. I even have so many left over for next year!
• I had the students line up and tell me what color ribbon they wanted for their scarf.  Just a quick tip: have students work with a partner to tie their ribbon onto the water bottle.  Have one partner hold both ends of the water bottle while the other kiddo does their best to tie a knot.

• While they were working independently on another activity, I called up each group so I could glue on the Q-tip arms.  I had the student hold the water bottle sideways and I added some hot glue and placed the Q-tip onto the glue.  It took about 10 seconds to dry.  Then I had the child turn the bottle onto the other side and added the Q-tip.

So that's it, easy peasy craft.  Are you looking for more crafts?

Disguise a snowman

Last minute holiday gifts and activities 

Christmas paper plate crafts

20 Christmas Activities Kids Will Love