Do you dream of being a snowball fight champion like Squidward Tentacles from Spongebob? While you may not have 6 arms to throw, there are certain techniques you can adopt to make the perfect snowball every time.
There's nothing more fun than a friendly snowball fight. If you want to learn how to make a snowball right, this article will teach you how to beat all your competition like it's snow problem.
1. Pay Attention to the Weather
You may not realize it, but the weather plays a big role in constructing your snowballs. If it's too cold outside, then the snow will be too frozen to be able to shape properly. If it's too warm, the snowballs will be too wet and heavy.
32 degrees is the ideal snowball building temperature. Since 32 degrees is the exact freezing point of water, the snow will be in the perfect condition. This weather is also ideal for other snow activities like building snowmen.
The other positive about this weather is that you'll be more comfortable staying outside for longer periods of time. If you try to fight in temperatures that are too hot or cold, you'll have less fun playing.
2. How to Make a Snowball with the Right Snow
A big factor in knowing how to make snowballs is choosing the right kind of snow for building. If the snow is too light and powdery, you'll have a difficult time pressing it into a compact ball. Nothing is worse than launching your first snowball only to watch it fall apart mid-air.
This means that a slightly wet snowball will work better than a dry one. How can you find moist snow? There are a few secret techniques you should use for building your snowballs.
- Try to have snowball fights close to noon when the sun is at its strongest.
- Choose snow that is in direct sunlight and avoid shady areas.
- Build your snowballs near buildings that give off heat.
- Lay down on the snow so that your body heat can dampen the snow.
3. Wear Gloves, Not Mittens
Your snow gear can help or hurt you when it comes to making the perfect snowball. When you're playing with snow, gloves are always the better choice than mittens. While it's not impossible to make snowballs while wearing mittens, your job will be harder.
There are two reasons why gloves are superior. First, your fingers have more mobility to shape the perfect snowball. Second, gloves allow more heat to escape, which can soften the snow to make packing the snowball easier.
4. Building Technique
Once you've located wet snow and you have the right outwear, it's time to perfect your snowball technique. You'll want to use both hands to scoop and shape the snow. Instead of scraping the surface of the snow to build a snowball, you should try to scoop deep into the snow.
The reason why deeper snow is better for building is because it's packed tightly. When more snow rests on top of buried snow, the pressure makes it more compact. Dense snowballs are better for hurling longer distances and landing heavier hits.
Use both hands to scoop snow like a crane. When both hands are filled with snow, bring them together in a cupping formation. Start to rotate your hands around the snow to make a perfect sphere.
As your hands circle the snow, start to apply more pressure with your hands to make a compact ball. Don't rush this process, because applying too much pressure too soon can destroy your snowball.
As you increase the pressure, the snow will become harder to press. This means that your snowball is almost ready to throw. Once you feel that you can't press the snow any tighter, move the snowball into one hand.
While one hand holds the snowball, the other hand should sweep across the surface to smooth any imperfections. The more spherical your snowball is, the better it will fly.
5. Store Your Snowballs
When your snowball looks perfect, place it back on the ground. Since the snowball has been held in your hands for a minute, the heat from your hands will start to melt it. Placing it back into the snow for resting will help solidify your snowball.
If you can, try to build as many snowballs as possible before your fight begins. This means that you will have a large supply of perfectly built snowballs ready to launch. If you have to rush the snowball construction process, they won't be as dense.
If you have extra time, start constructing a snow fort or some kind of barrier to protect yourself and your snowballs. You'll be able to easily dodge your enemy's snowballs and ensure that your snowball arsenal stays intact.
6. Practice Fair Rules
While there is a saying that all is fair in love and war, there are some basic rules you should follow during snowball fights to keep it fun.
You should always build with fresh, clean snow. This means no mud and no animal excrement.
You should also make sure that your snowballs are safe to throw. You should never pack a snowball full of rocks, ice, twigs, or other dangerous objects.
7. Use the Right Tools
If you really want an edge on your competition, consider investing in a snowball maker for your future fights. Not only will good snowball makers build the perfect snowball, but they can also help you throw the snowballs much farther than using just your arms.
A snowball making tool can also keep your hands warmer and drier. This means that your fights can last even longer since you'll be more comfortable outside.
Want to Take Your Snowball Fights to the Next Level?
Now that you know how to make a snowball, you're one step closer to winning every fight. TheSnoFling has been here for over 35 years to help make each snowball fight memorable. If you want to learn how to throw your snowballs over 50 yards, check out our awesome products.