How to Build a Snow Penguin
Check the snow condition., Roll a (very) large ball of snow, just as you would for building a snowman., Set the large snowball with the flattest side facing up., Make one last snowball for the penguin's head., Currently, this structure resembles a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Check the snow condition.
It's important to make sure that you have the proper snow for snow sculpture.
It needs to be firm but not too icy nor slushy.
Test it by rolling into a small ball and seeing how the ball forms and stays together.
If it forms easily and stays in shape, the snow is good to use. -
Step 2: Roll a (very) large ball of snow
This will form the base of the penguin.
When it gets large, it will start to get squared-off on the corners.
This is perfectly fine; all imperfections will be fixed later. , Now repeat the previous step to create another ball of snow, only make this one about two thirds the size of the first one.
Arrange this new snowball on top of the base (careful, it's heavy!). , This one needs to be much smaller than the other two snowballs.
In fact, make it about half the size of the second one.
It's also important that this one is as round as possible.
Place on top to form the penguin's head. , From this step onward, it becomes a penguin.
Grab snow and fill the gaps between the snowballs with this snow, smoothing the stack of snow into a continuous, streamlined surface.
Continue adding snow to the spaces between the snowballs until they resemble the typical pear-shape of a penguin's body.
Kids will enjoy this step as it's easy and rewarding to keep shaping it. , Gather snow from around the penguin's base and shape it into two large feet.
Place the feet sticking out, one to the right and one to the left of the penguin's front.
If you're extra motivated, use your fingers or a stick to form indents between the claws so that they resemble webbed feet. , Penguins generally keep their wings at their sides, and so will this sculpture.
From between the head and the upper-body section, begin to shape a groove that suggests folded wings.
Continue to carve out the groove until it is distinct.
Pack snow firmly onto the new "wing" area, letting each addition set before adding more.
Continue to pack lightly until the wings are visibly separate from the body.
Repeat on the other side. , This step requires the lightest touch and the most patience.
Gather snow and shape it into a cone-like structure.
Pack it tightly in your hands until it feels solid.
Carefully press it to the front-bottom of the penguin's head.
Holding it there with one hand (lightly), gather snow with the other to pack it against the head and "glue" it there.
It doesn't matter if the extra snow destroys the round shape of the head; that will be fixed.
Carefully add more snow until the beak stays firmly attached.
Small beaks are recommended because longer beaks tend to break off easily.
This step can be made somewhat more solid if a stick is used as the support within the beak.
To use a stick, find one of a suitable length for a beak, plus extra length to poke into the head of the penguin.
Poke the stick into the penguin's head at beak level, then pack snow around the beak, shaping it into a beak shape as you go. , Be patient and persistent.
The beak is the hardest part of making the snow penguin and it can fall off just when you think you've got it right.
Use a very gentle touch when sculpting it and let it set before adding anything else to the head.
If the head has become misshapen at this stage, it will need to be rearranged to restore its roundness.
More snow can be added if needed. , Make another beak-like structure, but larger, and attach it to the back bottom of the penguin's base.
If it's easier, just form the tail direct from the back of the penguin's base on the snow. , Creativity is encouraged here.
Feel free to add accessories such as scarves or hats.
Add eyes and eyebrows even. , Congratulations, you've made a snow penguin. , -
Step 3: just as you would for building a snowman.
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Step 4: Set the large snowball with the flattest side facing up.
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Step 5: Make one last snowball for the penguin's head.
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Step 6: Currently
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Step 7: this structure resembles a traditional snowman.
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Step 8: Add the penguin's feet.
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Step 9: Craft the penguin's wings.
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Step 10: Now create the beak.
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Step 11: Gently scoop away some of the excess snow used to cement the beak
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Step 12: and smooth the rest so that the beak flows naturally into the head.
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Step 13: Make a tail.
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Step 14: Add facial features to your snow penguin.
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Step 15: Take a snapshot of your unique snow sculpture.
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Step 16: Finished.
Detailed Guide
It's important to make sure that you have the proper snow for snow sculpture.
It needs to be firm but not too icy nor slushy.
Test it by rolling into a small ball and seeing how the ball forms and stays together.
If it forms easily and stays in shape, the snow is good to use.
This will form the base of the penguin.
When it gets large, it will start to get squared-off on the corners.
This is perfectly fine; all imperfections will be fixed later. , Now repeat the previous step to create another ball of snow, only make this one about two thirds the size of the first one.
Arrange this new snowball on top of the base (careful, it's heavy!). , This one needs to be much smaller than the other two snowballs.
In fact, make it about half the size of the second one.
It's also important that this one is as round as possible.
Place on top to form the penguin's head. , From this step onward, it becomes a penguin.
Grab snow and fill the gaps between the snowballs with this snow, smoothing the stack of snow into a continuous, streamlined surface.
Continue adding snow to the spaces between the snowballs until they resemble the typical pear-shape of a penguin's body.
Kids will enjoy this step as it's easy and rewarding to keep shaping it. , Gather snow from around the penguin's base and shape it into two large feet.
Place the feet sticking out, one to the right and one to the left of the penguin's front.
If you're extra motivated, use your fingers or a stick to form indents between the claws so that they resemble webbed feet. , Penguins generally keep their wings at their sides, and so will this sculpture.
From between the head and the upper-body section, begin to shape a groove that suggests folded wings.
Continue to carve out the groove until it is distinct.
Pack snow firmly onto the new "wing" area, letting each addition set before adding more.
Continue to pack lightly until the wings are visibly separate from the body.
Repeat on the other side. , This step requires the lightest touch and the most patience.
Gather snow and shape it into a cone-like structure.
Pack it tightly in your hands until it feels solid.
Carefully press it to the front-bottom of the penguin's head.
Holding it there with one hand (lightly), gather snow with the other to pack it against the head and "glue" it there.
It doesn't matter if the extra snow destroys the round shape of the head; that will be fixed.
Carefully add more snow until the beak stays firmly attached.
Small beaks are recommended because longer beaks tend to break off easily.
This step can be made somewhat more solid if a stick is used as the support within the beak.
To use a stick, find one of a suitable length for a beak, plus extra length to poke into the head of the penguin.
Poke the stick into the penguin's head at beak level, then pack snow around the beak, shaping it into a beak shape as you go. , Be patient and persistent.
The beak is the hardest part of making the snow penguin and it can fall off just when you think you've got it right.
Use a very gentle touch when sculpting it and let it set before adding anything else to the head.
If the head has become misshapen at this stage, it will need to be rearranged to restore its roundness.
More snow can be added if needed. , Make another beak-like structure, but larger, and attach it to the back bottom of the penguin's base.
If it's easier, just form the tail direct from the back of the penguin's base on the snow. , Creativity is encouraged here.
Feel free to add accessories such as scarves or hats.
Add eyes and eyebrows even. , Congratulations, you've made a snow penguin. ,
About the Author
Donna Reynolds
Creates helpful guides on creative arts to inspire and educate readers.
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