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Content Created by Tracey of Baker Street Living 
Light up your holiday with a mini light up snowman. Add a warm, cozy glow to your winter décor, and they are simple enough for both kids and adults to enjoy crafting together.
What You’ll Need
- Ping Pong Balls (white – no labels)
- Battery Operated Tea Lights
- Adhesive Vinyl
- Felt (soft and flexible)
- Cardboard Tube Mini Top Hat – get instructions HERE). See notes below
Craft Room Tools
See “Helpful Tips” for using waterslide Paper instead of vinyl.
How to Make a Mini Light Up Snowman
Download the Free Snowman Face, a printable or the SVG.
The printable pattern can be used with waterslide paper and applied to the surface of the ping pong ball.
Cut or punch a hole in the ping pong ball. If using a craft knife, carefully make a small “X” in the bottom of each ping pong ball. The hole should be just large enough to fit snugly over the tea light flame. This will become the snowman’s glowing head. If using a punch, just push it through the top. If the ping pong balls are craft grade, they are typically thinner and easier to pierce.
Cut and weed the snowman face design. (see note about using waterslide paper as an alternative)
wipe off the ball with a little rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth..
Apply the face design to the ping pong ball, using transfer paper and a smoothing tool. (see notes below on how to use waterslide paper)
Place the ping pong ball over the plastic wick and glue it in place with hot glue.
Make the Cardboard Tube Top Hat according to the post instructions.
If using the mini light up snowman as an ornament, attach a lump ring using a needle and thread through the top of the hat. This will need to be done before gluing the hat onto the ball.
Adhere the hat to the top of the ping pong ball.
Cut a thin strip of felt about 3/4 of an inch wide and wrap it around the base of the ball as a scarf. Glue in place.
Hang or display as desired.
Helpful Tips and FAQs
Making DIY Snowman lights with Waterslide Paper
If you don’t have a cutting machine, this is a great option. Waterslide paper is easy to use and gives you that professional, seamless look. When using waterslide paper, there are a couple of extra steps you need to take. Check out some of our waterslide paper DIYs.
- – Print the face images onto waterslide paper
- Seal the waterslide paper with acrylic pray sealer (follow paper instructions)
- Get the surface of the ball wet.
- Slide the backer paper off the decal and position the face onto the ball.
- Seal the image on the ball after it has dried. This will help keep it looking bright and scratch-free.
Turning them into Mini Light Up Snowman Light Ornaments
These mini snowman lights make awesome ornaments. Just add a jump ring to the top of the hat with a needle and thread, before gluing it onto the ball and add a hanger. Super easy!
Mini Top Hat Alternatives
If you don’t have cardboard tubes or want something quicker and easier, you can purchase mini top hats and use them in place of making one. Alternatively, you could make a small touque out of leftover felt or a baby sock and add a little polyfil stuffing to it and glue it in place.
Display Ideas
Once your mini light up snowman is finished, the real fun begins: deciding where to show them off! These glowing little friends fit beautifully into almost any holiday setup. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Mantel Display: Line them up along your fireplace mantel, or nestled into some greenery, pinecones, and faux snow for a cozy winter scene.
- Windowsill Glow: Place them on windowsills so they shine out into the night—perfect for adding curb appeal.
- Bookshelves or Side Tables: Tuck them into little holiday vignettes alongside Christmas figurines or mini trees.
- Hot Cocoa Bar: Set them around mugs, candy canes, and toppings for a festive hot chocolate station.
- Place Settings: Use them as part of each guest’s place setting for Christmas dinner. Guests could even take them home as a favour.
- Place Cards: Add guest names to the scarf with HTV and use as placecards.
- Holiday Centerpiece: Cluster a few snowmen together on a tray with fake snow, small ornaments, and fairy lights for a glowing centerpiece.
- Snow Globe Scene: Set a few inside a large glass cloche or fishbowl with fake snow for a snow-globe effect.
- Kids’ Rooms or Nightlights: Let kids use them as festive nightlights during the holiday season
I hope that you are inspired to make this fun and easy ping pong ball snowman craft. They are so easy and a great holiday snowman decoration.
This website contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you).