Make Adorable Snowman Measuring Cups for Christmas Kitchen Fun

Gather Your Materials for the Snowman Measuring Cups

Making adorable snowman measuring cups out of recycled materials is a fun Christmas craft that also repurposes plastic items, keeping them out of landfills. To create your own snowman cup set, you'll need the following supplies:

• Plastic cups in various sizes (10-12 ounces, 16 ounces, 22-24 ounces)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Felt or foam sheets in orange, black, red, blue, green, etc.
• Googly eyes
• Ribbon, twine or string
• Scissors
• Permanent markers

Choose Your Cups Based on Snowman Sections

The three different sized plastic cups will be used to create the different snowman sections. The largest cup will be the bottom snowman body. The medium cup will represent the midsection snow body. The smallest cup will be the head. Opt for smooth plastic cups rather than ridged or insulated cups since these will be easier to decorate.

Design Cute Snowman Faces

Once you've gathered your materials, it's time for the fun part - designing the snowmen! Use permanent markers to draw on eyes, mouths, noses, buttons and other details. Cut shapes out of felt or foam to attach as scarves, hats and nose carrots. Attaching googly eyes and other whimsical embellishments brings these snowmen to life! Get creative with the expressions and accessories.

Assemble Your Measuring Cup Snowmen

To assemble your snowman measuring cups, start by hot gluing the brims of the cups together, with the largest on the bottom, then medium in the middle, and smallest on top. Hold them together for 30 seconds as the hot glue sets.

Decorate from Largest Cup Down

It's easiest to decorate your snowmen if you start with the largest cup on the bottom and work your way up. Start by adding any ribbon, garland or other embellishments you want around the lower "belly" of the snowman. Then add the face you designed. Next, decorate the middle cup by gluing on buttons, arms, etc. Finally, finish off your snowman with facial features and hats on the top cup.

Add Accessories Like Scarves and Hats

Accessories like scarves, earmuffs and hats help make your measuring cups into works of snowfolk art! Cut lengths of ribbon to wrap around as scarves, or snip shapes out of scrap fabric or felt. Glue earmuffs onto the sides of heads and top hats or wool caps on the top. You can get very creative with the outfits and details.

Create a Whole Snow Family

Once you've created one snowperson, why stop there? Additional sets of cups can be made into snowwomen, snowkids, snowbabies, snowpets and whole snowfamilies! Mix and match cup sizes and decorate them with different outfits, accessories, expressions and props. Soon you'll have a whole snow crowd lining your kitchen as you bake and cook.

Give as Christmas Gifts

These unique handmade cup sets make for fabulous Christmas presents! Customize them for the recipient by featuring their hobbies, pets or other personal touches in the designs. Tie a ribbon around the "necks" and place the snowfolk in a gift bag or box to present to loved ones this holiday season.

Use for Holiday Baking and Cooking

Put your snowman measuring cups to practical use in your own kitchen for holiday baking! The different cup sizes are perfectly suited for following recipe instructions. You'll put a smile on your face every time you scoop flour or measure milk with these frozen friends. Just be sure to handwash and avoid microwaving the plastic cups.

Tips for Sturdy Snowman Construction

Follow these tips when crafting your snowman measuring cups to ensure they hold together use after use:

• Check that cup rims are smooth, not ridged or wavy
• Overlap cup rims at least 1⁄4 inch before gluing
• Apply hot glue evenly and securely around the full cup rims
• Hold cups together for 30 seconds as glue sets
• Add reinforcing dots of hot glue if needed for stability

Troubleshoot Wobbliness

If your finished snowmen are still wobbly, try nesting them inside a sturdy plastic cup for support. You can decorate the outer support cup to match. Weight can also be added by placing a few coins or other small heavy objects inside the lowest snowman cup before gluing on its rim.

Prevent Glue Drips

To keep excess glue from dripping down the cups, quickly wipe the nozzle tip on a scrap piece of material after removing from the gun. Holding cups upside down while gluing prevents drops as well. Let sets fully dry overnight before decorating or handling them.

Get Creative with Your Snowman Cup Designs

Let your imagination run wild when dreaming up silly, joyful snowpeople to adorn these recycled snowman measuring cups! The following ideas can spark your creativity:

• Top hats, bowties, crazy hairdos
• Silly crooked eyes, mouths, noses
• Sport team logos or colors
• Christmas lights, garland, tree decorations
• Sparkly pipe cleaner arms or ears
• Candy canes, lollipops, cookies, donuts
• Funny mustaches, beards, masks, sunglasses
• Pets, woodland creatures, farm animals

Let the jolly snowfolk you craft carry holiday cheer into your kitchen all season long. Just be sure to only handwash and air dry these upcycled plastic cup creations so they last for many years to come.

FAQs

What types of cups work best?

Smooth plastic cups without ridges or insulation work best. Choose cups in different sizes - 10-12 oz, 16 oz, 22-24 oz. The largest will be the base, medium is the midsection, smallest is the head.

How do I get the cups to stick together?

Use a hot glue gun to securely glue the rims of the cups together, overlapping by at least 1⁄4 inch. Hold together for 30 seconds as the glue sets to bind the cups.

What makes the best snowman accessories?

Ribbons, felt, foam sheets, buttons and other craft materials can accessorize your snowmen. Googly eyes, scarves, hats, mittens, earmuffs and carrots add personality!

Can snowman cups go in the dishwasher?

No, handwash only. The hot water and dishwasher detergent can loosen the glue and cause decorations to fall off. Gently hand wash and air dry your snowman cups to preserve your holiday handmade treasures.