Easy To Make Tin Can Snowman Recycled Craft Project

Grab some cans out of the recycling bin and let’s make a tin can snowman! These metal can snowmen are quick and easy to create with the kiddos in an afternoon with a few supplies from the Dollar Store.

RECYCLED CRAFT PROJECT: TIN CAN SNOWMAN

Repeat after me, snowman crafts are not just for Christmas! LOL

We’re ready for Spring around here, but Mother Nature has other plans! Thankfully, we can chase away the Winter blues with this fun winter activity that you can make with a few supplies you’ve probably already got around the house. 

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SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Recycled Cans – You will want 3 tins of cans, if you are making a family of snowman
• Acrylic Craft Paint – White, Black, Light Pink
• Permanent Marker
• Black Buttons – Assorted Sizes – Dollar Store
• Craft Foam, Black and Orange – Dollar Store
• Pom Poms – Dollar Store
• Chenille Stems, Tinsel – Dollar Store
• Snowflake Stickers, Glitter – Dollar Store
• Ribbons – Assorted
• Paintbrush
• Chalk Pencil, White
• Scissors
• Low Temp Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

NOTE ABOUT RE-PURPOSE TIN CANS: The sky is the limit when it comes to the type of leftover tin cans you can use for this project. However, when making this project, I would recommend sticking to your traditional style of tin cans. This is because you most likely have them in your kitchen, and they are inexpensive to buy if you are making this cute snowman craft from scratch. With that in mind, if you are looking for some tin can ideas, below are a few that are perfect for this project. 

• Cans of Large Beans
• Cans of Mushroom Soup
• Cans of Mini Veggie

TUTORIAL: HOW TO MAKE TIN CAN SNOWMAN CRAFT

CLEANING/PAINTING TIN CAN:

1. Remove the label from your tin can. It should be able to rip it off and take off any remaining paper with soap and water. However, if any glue is left behind from the label, a great way to remove it is to use Citrus-based Cleaners (like Goo Gone) or Adhesive Removers (like 3M Adhesive Remover or Un-Du, etc.) Once the label is removed, make sure there are no sharp edges on your metal cans, and then move on to the cleaning. Wash the entire outside of the can as well as the inside and let it dry.

Then apply a base coat of white acrylic paint to the outside of the tin can. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary. 

NOTE: You can also you white spray paint to apply the base coat as well.

Once dry, flip your can over so the open end is at the bottom. Then paint a three-inch section at the top of the large can with black acrylic paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.

NOTE: If you want some extra sparkly, you can add a coat of glitter paint on top of the back acrylic paint.

MAKING HAT & FACE:

2. Measure the diameter of the large can (this one is four inches), then trace a circle approximately one inch larger (I used a bowl from the kitchen as my template) with a chalk pencil onto black craft foam.

Trace the diameter of the large can in the center of the first circle and cut it out with scissors.

Slide the black hat brim onto the can where the black and white paint meet. The ridges in the can will hold the brim in place, but you can also secure the brim of the hat with some glue.

3. Now it’s time to add the facial features! Attach two button eyes to each snowman using your hot glue gun.

Paint two small pink circles for the cheeks of the snowman with light pink acrylic paint. Then cut three rectangles from orange craft foam and cut them into long triangle carrot noses with scissors. Glue the carrot noses to snowman’s faces under the eyes and draw a large smile onto each snowman with the permanent marker.

NOTE: You could also use puffy paint for the facial features if you have that on hand.

MAKING EARMUFFS & ADDING EMBELLISHMENTS:

4. Attach tinsel chenille stems to the medium and small snowmen, from ear to ear, with a glue gun.

Glue Pom poms over the ends of the chenille stem to be the snowmen’s earmuffs.

5. Attach a skinny ribbon around the large snowman’s hat, securing it with some glue. Then tie ribbons around the base of each soup can as the snowmen’s scarves. Finally, accent all three snowmen with sparkly snowflake stickers.

Dig into that recycle bin, grab some old tin cans, get the kids involved, and create your very own adorable tin can snow family!

Once you are done making this really fun project, display your tin can snowman on the mantel during the Winter, then bring it back out as Christmas decorations during the holiday season!

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Easy To Make Tin Can Snowman Recycled Craft Project

Grab some cans out of the recycling bin, and let’s make a tin can snowman! These metal can snowmen are quick and easy to create with the kiddos in an afternoon with a few supplies from the Dollar Store.

Author: Beth Kingston

Materials

• Recycled Cans
• Acrylic Craft Paint – White, Black, Light Pink
• Permanent Marker
• Black Buttons – Assorted Sizes – Dollar Store
• Craft Foam, Black and Orange – Dollar Store
• Pom Poms – Dollar Store
• Chenille Stems, Tinsel – Dollar Store
• Snowflake Stickers, Glitter – Dollar Store
• Ribbons – Assorted
• Paintbrush
• Chalk Pencil, White
• Scissors
• Low Temp Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Instructions

• Remove the label from your tin can. It should be able to rip it off and take off any remaining paper with soap and water. However, if any glue is left behind from the label, a great way to remove it is to use Citrus-based Cleaners (like Goo Gone) or Adhesive Removers (like 3M Adhesive Remover or Un-Du, etc.) Once the label is removed, make sure there are no sharp edges on your metal cans, and then move on to the cleaning. Wash the entire outside of the can as well as the inside and let it dry.

  Then apply a base coat of white acrylic paint to the outside of the tin can. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary. 

  NOTE: You can also you white spray paint to apply the base coat as well.

  Once dry, flip your can over so the open end is at the bottom. Then paint a three-inch section at the top of the large can with black acrylic paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.

  NOTE: If you want some extra sparkly, you can add a coat of glitter paint on top of the back acrylic paint.
• Measure the diameter of the large can (this one is four inches), then trace a circle approximately one inch larger (I used a bowl from the kitchen as my template) with a chalk pencil onto black craft foam.

  Trace the diameter of the large can in the center of the first circle and cut it out with scissors.

  Slide the black hat brim onto the can where the black and white paint meet. The ridges in the can will hold the brim in place, but you can also secure the brim of the hat with some glue.
• Now it's time to add the facial features! Attach two button eyes to each snowman using your hot glue gun.

  Paint two small pink circles for the cheeks of the snowman with light pink acrylic paint. Then cut three rectangles from orange craft foam and cut them into long triangle carrot noses with scissors. Glue the carrot noses to snowman’s faces under the eyes and draw a large smile onto each snowman with the permanent marker.

  NOTE: You could also use puffy paint for the facial features, if you have that on hand.
• Attach tinsel chenille stems to the medium and small snowmen, from ear to ear, with a glue gun.

  Glue Pom poms over the ends of the chenille stem to be the snowmen’s earmuffs.
• Attach a skinny ribbon around the large snowman’s hat, securing it with some glue. Then tie ribbons around the base of each soup can as the snowmen’s scarves. Finally, accent all three snowmen with sparkly snowflake stickers.

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