Build a Snowman Phonics Activity for Kindergarten

Are you looking for fun, educational winter activities for kindergarten? This free printable snowman phonics gives students a chance to practice identifying r, l, and sz initial sounds in words. Kids will have fun building a snowman in this snowman activity for kindergarten while working on literacy skills too!

Snowman Phonics

Teaching tricky sounds like R, L, and SZ can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible—and it can be fun, too! These sounds can take extra practice, especially for kids who might have trouble with articulation. This phonics activity for R, L, and SZ makes learning engaging with a snowman theme and a hands-on twist.

Last winter, I introduced this activity to my class, and let me tell you, the excitement over “feeding the snowmen” their words was priceless! My students got to practice saying their sounds while using cotton balls as snowballs to cover each word. It was a win-win: they were having fun while learning.  Let’s break it down so you can try it with your little learners.

Plus don’t miss winter cvc words snowman, fun puffy snow paint, and more snowman activities!

How to Teach Phonic Sounds That Are More Difficult Like R, L, and SZ

Some sounds, like R, L, and SZ, are trickier because they require more precise tongue placement and movement. Here’s how you can make learning these sounds a bit easier:

1. Start with Isolation 

Begin by teaching the sounds on their own. Model the sound for your students and exaggerate it slightly so they can see and hear what your mouth is doing.

2. Move to Word Position

Next, practice the sounds in different positions within words:

• Initial: red, run, light, leaf, sun, zoo
• Medial: carrot, mirror, pillow, balloon, music
• Ending: star, car, ball, seal, buzz

3. Add Repetition

Repetition is key to mastering these sounds. Have students say the words multiple times, focusing on clarity.

4. Make It Fun

Kids learn best when they’re having fun. Use visuals, hands-on activities, and games to keep them engaged. That’s where this snowman activity comes in!

Snowman activity for kindergarten

This snowman-themed phonics activity is designed to make practicing R, L, and SZ sounds fun and interactive.

Step 1: Prep the Printable

Download and print the three snowmen worksheets. Each snowman is themed for one sound:

• Snowman 1: R
• Snowman 2: L
• Snowman 3: SZ

The snowmen have word pictures sorted by the position of the target sound (initial, medial, or ending).

Step 2: Gather Supplies

You’ll need:

• The snowman printables
• Cotton balls or mini snowballs (you can use white pom-poms, small erasers, or even marshmallows)
• A playful attitude!

Step 3: Introduce the Activity

Explain that the snowmen are “hungry” for words, and it’s the kids’ job to “feed” them by practicing the words on their snowballs.

Step 4: Model the Sounds

Pick a word from one snowman and model how to say it. For example:

• R Snowman: Say “red” three times clearly, emphasizing the R sound.

Show how to place a cotton ball over the word after saying it.

Step 5: Let Them Practice

Now it’s their turn! Have the kids pick a word, say it three times, and then cover it with a cotton ball. Encourage them to really focus on the target sound as they speak.

Step 6: Repeat and Celebrate

Continue until all the words are covered. Celebrate their hard work by giving the snowmen a round of applause or even creating a fun story about the snowmen enjoying their snowy feast!

Winter activity for kindergarten

This phonics activity for R, L, and SZ is more than just a fun game—it’s a powerful tool for helping kids master those tricky sounds. By making the process interactive, kids stay engaged and motivated to practice.

Want to keep the learning going? Here are some extension ideas:

• Word Hunt: Ask kids to find other words with R, L, or SZ sounds in books or around the classroom.

By turning phonics practice into a playful snowman adventure, your students will have a blast while strengthening their articulation skills. Grab the free printable and try it out—I’d love to hear how it goes!