How to Make a Snowball

Last Updated: February 3, 2021 References

Making a snowball is simple. Making the perfect snowball will require some practice and technique. By remembering a few key ideas, your snowballs will be the best in any fight!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making the Perfect Snowball

1
Find the best snow you can. Making the perfect snowball will require the perfect snow. Know that temperature, humidity, and pressure will determine if it is light and fluffy or wet and heavy. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The best temperature is just below freezing, around 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.
- Wet snow will pack best.
- Dry snow will pack poorly.
2
Form the core of your snowball. Make your snowballs roughly the size of a baseball. Cup your hands, place them in the snow, and bring them towards each other. Squeeze the snow together to start compacting the snow into a snowball.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Don't make your snowballs too large, they can be hard to throw accurately.
- Wear gloves instead of mittens to allow you to more accurately form the snowball.
- Try using your bare hands, allowing your body heat to help form the snowball.
Advertisement
3
Reinforce your snowball. Add a small amount of water to your snowball now if the snow isn't the right consistency for packing. Be careful with the amount of water you add. Strive for the right uniformity in your snow, not too wet and not too dry.
- Using too much water will melt your snowball.
- Add only enough water to help hold it together.
- Do not turn your snowball into an “ice ball”!
4
Add another layer of snow to your core. Scoop up another handful of snow. Pack this snow onto your original core snowball. Make sure your layers are sticking together. Gently apply pressure as you work your hands around the snowball.
- Add just enough to reinforce the snowball, don't make it too large.
- Don't pack with too much pressure as this might break the snowball.
- Keep adding layers until your snowball feels like a good size and consistency for you.
5
Refine your snowball. Smooth any rough edges or bumps out of your snowball by brushing them off with your fingers. Increase speed and accuracy when thrown by making the smoothest finish you can on your snowball.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If the snowball is too big, brush some snow off or pack it tighter.
- Don't worry if it's not perfect!
- If you have time, let your snowball sit for a few minutes to allow for maximum solidity.
6
Find your target! Locate the best target you might have in sight. Aim carefully and pull your arm back, readying the throw. Wait for the right moment and send your snowball flying.
- Throw only at people who are playing with you!
- Never throw at bystanders or animals.
- Practice by throwing at a snowman you have built.
- Stay calm and aim well, even during an intense snowball fight.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Snowball Quickly

1
Grab some snow. Finding the perfect snow isn't necessary for this method. Use any snow that even slightly packs together. Keep in mind that you will be aiming for quantity over quality.
- Pick up one handful of snow and toss it to your other hand.
- Move as quickly as you can.
- Use this method for speedy snowballs, not for accurate or powerful snowballs.
2
Pack the snow. Use both hands to quickly squeeze the snow into a rough snowball. Press the snow together firmly between your hands just one time. Spending too much time shaping or packing these snowballs isn't necessary.
- Try packing the snow one handed by simply squeezing the snow in that hand.
- Don't worry about the shape of the snowball.
3
Keep making snowballs. Utilize this method to quickly make many snowballs. Store them in a stockpile for easy use in a fight. Making more of these snowballs is easy, so don't worry too much over how many you may or may not have.
- Make as many as you can in between battles.
- Stack them loosely, don’t worry about organization.
- Throw them as you make them if you are in a pinch
4
Throw the snowballs! Using these quickly made snowballs will prove difficult in terms of accuracy and power. Having a great number of them makes up for this shortcoming. Take aim and quickly throw your stockpile at your target. Make it your goal to have as many snowballs as you can quickly flying towards your target.
- Try throwing a few at a time with one hand.
- Use both hands to pick up and throw your snowballs.
- Throwing a large number makes up for poor accuracy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Big Snowball

1
Gather your snow. Find the best snow you can for this type of snowball. Make sure the snow is wet enough to pack well. Locate a good spot that has a large amount of this snow. Start by picking up enough for a regular baseball size snowball.
- Choosing the best snow will result in a bigger snowball.
- Remember that wet snow will pack the best.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
Start packing your snow. Make the snowball as round and as well packed as you can. Build this snowball as your foundation for the bigger snowball. Having any weakness at this stage will compromise the final form of this snowball.
- Don't worry about its original size, you will add more later.
- Make the best snowball you can to ensure the quality of the final giant snowball.
3
Add more snow. Scoop up even more snow with your hands and start packing it onto your first snowball. Make sure you pack it well enough that the new snow becomes part of your original snowball. Keep the snowball as evenly shaped as you can while you add more.
- Aim for the roundest snowball you can make.
- Add more snow to replace any parts that might fall off.
4
Stop when it's big enough. Finish adding more snow when your original snowball becomes as big as you would like. Remember, a bigger snowball will have more impact and force behind it, but it will be much harder to throw.
- Bigger snowballs might be unstable and may have parts that break away.
- Make your snowball only as big as you can throw.
5
Send your gigantic snowball flying! Use both hands to throw this snowball at your target to get the most power behind it.^{[5]
X
Research source} Throw from close range for the best chance of striking your target accurately.
- Be respectful of the power behind your giant snowball.
- Be careful with large snowballs as they could hurt someone when hit.
- Never aim a giant snowball at someones face or head.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I make a snowman?

Community Answer

You make a perfect snowball, then you roll it around until it gets big enough for the bottom layer. Repeat two more times, making each snowball slightly smaller than the last. Then stack them, with the biggest at the bottom and smallest at the top. Add something for the eyes, nose, and mouth (like carrots, buttons, bottle caps, etc.). Add a hat and/or scarf if you'd like.

Warnings

Do not eat the snowball.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 32 Not Helpful 18
Do not let your hands get too cold! This is important because it can result in frostbite.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 16 Not Helpful 8
Never pack the snowball too hard otherwise it will turn into an "ice ball”. These are very dangerous and can cause injury.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0