Holidays » Christmas, Winter Solstice, Yule » Snowman Repair Kit

Snowman Repair Kit

fb iconpinterest icontwitter iconlinkedin iconbuffer icon
This post may contain affiliate links, see Disclosure.

A Snowman Repair Kit turns a plain mason jar or gift box into a quick winter surprise that kids actually use instead of setting on a shelf until February. Tuck in a hat, eyes, buttons, scarf, twigs, and a bright orange nose, and you’ve got everything needed to patch up a lopsided Frosty after a windy night or a fresh round of snowball engineering.

Jump to Recipe Pin

Make your own Snowman Repair Kit! As a kid my mom kept a box in the closet that had everything we needed to create a gorgeous new frosty at the drop of fresh snow… we couldn't wait for those school cancellations to roll so we could grab that box and head out the door. . .

It’s inexpensive, easy to customize, and simple to make ahead. If you want to dress it up, decorate the container with winter paper, ribbon, or a little decoupage, then add the poem tag so the whole thing feels finished instead of tossed together at the last second.

What You’ll Need

snowman-repair-kit
  • 1 black plastic or felt hat
  • 2 googly eyes
  • 3 buttons
  • 1 strip of fabric
  • 2 small twigs
  • 1 twig painted orange for the nose
  • Tiny paper snowflakes
  • 1 mason jar or small box for packaging

If you’re using a jar, choose one wide enough to hold the hat without a wrestling match. A small gift box works just as well if you want more room for bulkier pieces or a fabric scarf.


🔗 Back to Menu


How to Make a Snowman Repair Kit

  1. Gather the hat, googly eyes, buttons, fabric strip, twigs, orange-painted nose twig, and paper snowflakes.
  2. Let the painted nose dry completely before packing so you don’t glue the whole kit together by accident.
  3. Layer the smallest items in the bottom of a mason jar or small box.
  4. Fold or roll the fabric strip so it fits neatly without crushing the paper snowflakes.
  5. Add the twigs and hat last so the kit keeps its shape and still looks cute when opened.
  6. Attach the poem to the outside or tuck it inside the container.

Snowman Repair Kit

Being outside all day and night,
Can make me look a dreadful sight.
I melt, I break, I lose some parts,
Which tends to break some people’s hearts,
So here’s a repair kit just for you
To make your snowman look brand new!

Submitted by Linda


🔗 Back to Menu


Helpful Tips

  • Use lightweight pieces so small kids can press them into packed snow without much help.
  • Choose high-contrast parts, especially for the eyes and buttons, so the snowman face shows up clearly against fresh snow.
  • If you want sturdier features, mount circles and facial pieces on short dowels for a reusable set that works a bit like a very cold Mr. Potato Head.
  • Keep a few extra buttons and eyes in the container. Snow has a talent for swallowing tiny black pieces the second you drop them.

🔗 Back to Menu


Variations and Packaging Ideas

For a simple gift, pack everything in a quart mason jar and tie on a ribbon. If you want a larger version, use a small box and add bigger craft pieces, extra buttons, or a child-sized scarf.

You can also make a sturdier outdoor version by cutting round wood circles for buttons, eyes, and mouth pieces, then attaching short dowels so each part pushes into the snowball cleanly. That version holds up better for repeated use and works especially well if you’re putting together a family activity box alongside a Christmas Survival Kit or winter gift basket.

If you like snowy theme gifts, you might also enjoy All I Need to Know… About Life I learned from a Snowman for a matching printable-style sentiment.


🔗 Back to Menu


Storage and Shelf Life

Store the finished kit in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. For best condition, use it within 12 months. That’s a practical estimate based on the paper and fabric components, which hold up best when they stay clean, dry, and away from heat, moisture, basements, and attics with wild temperature swings. For paper and textile items, clean, dry, stable storage matters more than fancy packaging, which is exactly why the Smithsonian recommends a cool, dry, dark area with minimal temperature and humidity changes.

If any paper snowflakes get bent or damp, replace them before gifting. If the painted twig nose feels tacky, let it air-dry fully before sealing the jar or box.


🔗 Back to Menu


🛒 Walmart Grocery List

Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions about Snowman Repair Kit

What size jar works best for a Snowman Repair Kit?

A quart-size mason jar usually works best because it gives you enough room for the hat, fabric strip, and twig pieces without crushing the paper extras. If your hat is bulky or you want to add a full scarf, switch to a small gift box so you’re not trying to force winter into a pickle jar.

Can I use a box instead of a mason jar?

Absolutely. A small box is often easier if you’re packing larger twigs, a felt hat, or wooden face pieces. It also keeps delicate paper snowflakes from curling as much, which is handy if you want the gift to look tidy instead of mildly snowstormed.

What can I use instead of googly eyes?

Buttons, painted wooden circles, black felt circles, or even bottle caps all work. The best substitute is something dark and lightweight that presses into packed snow easily and still shows up from a few feet away.

How do I make the carrot nose if I don’t have an orange twig already?

Use a small straight twig and paint one end orange, then let it dry fully before packing it. You can also wrap the tip with orange felt if you’d rather skip wet paint and the waiting game that comes with it.

How many kits can I make from one package of supplies?

That depends on the package counts, but the small parts stretch farther than you’d think. A 120-count hat pack makes 120 kits if you use one hat each, while a 4-ounce button pack and bulk googly eyes usually cover far more kits than your hats will.

How far ahead can I make Snowman Repair Kits?

You can make them months ahead as long as every piece is completely dry and you store the kits in a cool, dry place. For best appearance, assemble them up to 1 year in advance and keep them out of damp basements and hot attics.

What’s the best fabric to use for the scarf piece?

A strip of cotton or fleece works best because it ties easily and holds color well against white snow. Cut it about 1 to 2 inches wide for a small kit piece, which gives you enough length to wrap a mini snowman without swallowing its whole neck area.

Can kids help assemble these kits?

Yes, with a little supervision. Kids can sort buttons, fold fabric, and fill jars, but adults should handle any cutting, hot glue, or painted pieces, especially since the tiny parts are a choking hazard for very young children.

How do I keep the paper snowflakes from getting crushed?

Tuck them near the top or along the inside wall of the box or jar instead of burying them under heavier pieces. If you’re gifting several kits, slipping the paper pieces into a small envelope first keeps them flatter and a lot less sad-looking.

What should I add to make the kit feel more complete as a gift?

Add the poem tag, a ribbon, and one or two extra face pieces so the recipient has a backup if something disappears into the snow. You can also pair it with hot cocoa or a winter-themed family activity for a gift that feels intentional instead of last-minute.

📌 Love this Snowman Repair Kit? Pin it!

Snowman Repair Kit packed with a black hat, googly eyes, buttons, fabric, twigs, an orange nose, and paper snowflakes, with text reading “Snowman Repair Kit”

Did you make this recipe? Did you put yours in a jar, a box, or go full deluxe with wood pieces and dowels? Tell us what you added in the comments so other readers can steal your best idea politely.

🖨️ Print-Friendly Snowman Repair Kit

snowman repair kit

Snowman Repair Kit

Article or recipe authorMelissa 'Liss' Burnell
(Click on the stars to vote!)
Share
Print Save PDF
preparation time10 minutes
total time10 minutes
This easy Snowman Repair Kit packs a hat, eyes, buttons, scarf, twigs, and a carrot-style nose into a jar or box for a fun winter gift. Estimated total cost is $1.12 per kit, or about $1.12 per serving, depending on the supplies you already have on hand.
Yield1 kit
Budget101 Price Breakdown$1.12

Equipment

Quart mason jar or small box
Paintbrush
Scissors

Materials

  • 1 black plastic or felt hat
  • 2 googly eyes
  • 3 buttons
  • 1 strip of fabric
  • 2 small twigs
  • 1 twig painted orange for the nose
  • tiny paper snowflakes
  • 1 mason jar or small box

Instructions

  1. Gather the hat, googly eyes, buttons, fabric strip, twigs, orange-painted nose twig, and paper snowflakes.
  2. Paint one twig orange for the nose and let it dry completely.
  3. Place the smallest items in the bottom of a mason jar or small box.
  4. Fold or roll the fabric strip and add it to the container.
  5. Add the twigs and hat last.
  6. Attach or tuck in the poem tag and close the container.

Notes

Estimated prep time is based on gathering supplies and basic assembly.
Estimated cost is based on current online craft-supply pricing and will vary by retailer and package size.
For best condition, store the finished kit in a cool, dry place and use within 12 months.

Made This Project?

Tell us how it turned out, and share any tips or clever changes you made!
Melissa 'Liss' Burnell, Founder of Budget101

👩‍🍳 About the Author

Melissa "Liss" Burnell started Budget101.com in 2001 because she needed it to exist — not because she saw a market opportunity. She was feeding a family of four on under $200 a month, and people kept asking how, so she started writing everything down.

That turned into 25 years of recipes, debt-busting strategies, and DIY content — including figuring out how to make 128 loads of laundry detergent for less than $2. Millions of families have quietly used this site to stretch a dollar without feeling like they're sacrificing anything. She's also the author of two bestselling budget cooking ebooks, available on Amazon.

📚 More on the About page, or find her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

View More Holiday Ideas

View More Christmas & Yule Ideas

2 thoughts on “Snowman Repair Kit”

  1. Why is there a print button when it doesn’t format the page to print? It leads me back to the forum instead of printing the page I am on.

    Reply
    • Why is there a print button when it doesn’t format the page to print? It leads me back to the forum instead of printing the page I am on.

      What kind of computer/tablet, etc are you using? I’m using a regular desktop with windows 7 and it formatted fine for me just now…

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Rating