DIY Build-a-Snowman Marshmallow Kits

A build-a-snowman kit is the winter answer to the cookie-decorating station: everything a child needs to make one edible snowman, packed into one clear bag and waiting at their seat. They build it, they photograph it, they eat it (or take it home). Twelve kits take about forty minutes to assemble and cost less than a dollar each.

What you'll need

• Large marshmallows — three per snowman, plus extras
• Pretzel sticks for arms (two per kit, plus a spare because one always breaks)
• Mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons
• Orange candy sprinkles, or candy corn cut into small tips, for the nose
• White icing pens or small icing tubes — this is the glue
• Fabric or ribbon scraps, about 5 inches long, for scarves
• Clear cellophane treat bags and twine or ribbon to tie them
• Kraft tags with each child’s name and the words “Build Me!”
• A small paper plate per seat to build on

Step 1: Portion the kits

Into each bag go three marshmallows, three pretzel sticks, a small pinch of chocolate chips, a few orange sprinkles and one scarf. Keep the icing pens separate on the table — they leak in bags.

Step 2: Tie and tag

Gather each bag, tie it with twine and attach the name tag. Set one kit and one plate at each place before the children arrive. The bags look like tiny gifts and get the table quiet fast.

Step 3: Show one snowman

Build one demonstration snowman in front of everyone: dab icing between the marshmallows and stack, poke the pretzel arms into the middle one, press chips in for the face, and tie the scarf. Two minutes. Then let them go.

Step 4: Let the icing set

Snowmen need about ten minutes to firm up before they can be carried. This is a good moment for cake — the snowmen sit at each place like little centerpieces while everyone eats.

Step 5: Bag or eat

Children either eat their snowman on the spot or slide it back into the bag, standing up, to take home. Both are correct. Any leftover marshmallows go straight into the hot cocoa bar.

Our styling note

This is an activity for a white or ice-blue table: pale chairs, a white tablecloth, a scattering of “snow” (shredded white paper or faux snow) down the center. The finished snowmen become the décor, so keep the rest minimal and give each child a small plate so their creation has a stage.

Round out the winter party with the DIY snow globe favor jars and our indoor winter party ideas.