Invite young friends to gather around a table made of snow. Tightly pack snow (wet snow works better than the powdery kind) into two large galvanized tubs, and leave it overnight to harden. Overturn one tub, unmold the snow, and then overturn the second tub on top. (To ease the way, set the frozen tubs inside a garage or a shed for a half hour to warm the snow.) For a seat, use the same trick and a 5-gallon bucket.

Surely the snowman gets cold out there -- but winter's chill is rarely shown on his face. Kids can give a rosy glow to their frosty friends by mixing five drops of red food coloring with a cup of water, then using a spray bottle to spritz the cheeks with a fine mist.

This dapper fellow breaks the mold. No wonder: Kitchen molds form his fancy hat. Raid the cupboards to outfit your snowman. Shapely dessert molds, such as for gelatin or pudding, or even a small ice-cream scoop can make wonderful details.

The rare snowball caterpillar is native to chilly climates. Its larger-than-life body is easy to spot -- and to create if you use a snowball maker, a tool that forms perfect spheres of snow.

Playing in the snow is not just for kids -- line your driveway or walkway with these stately snow towers.

This project is best when the snow is neither powdery nor slushy; it's easiest if you use a snowball-making tool.

Oh, what fun it is to play in jingling winter wear. Make kids' spirits bright by sewing bells to the cuffs of hats, the backs of mittens, and the ends of scarves. Add pairs of bells to elastic hair bands, and make pigtails ring

These beautifully embellished Ugg boots are a unique handmade holiday gift sure to make the recipient think of you every time they wear them.

Keep little ones toasty with mittens cut from a sunny yellow sweater. Add detail to the cuffs by aligning that portion of the pattern with the garment's ribbed waistband or sleeve.

A muffler with sewn-up compartments provides warmth as well as a place for storage.

Polar fleece is an excellent winter fabric because it's soft, lightweight, durable, and machine-washable. And although it traps heat just as efficiently as wool, its stretchy fibers don't shrink or absorb water. These Polar fleece hats are easy to construct and make wonderful gifts.

Use this simple pattern to knit your own scarf.

A teddy bear toque keeps the heat in and provides a cheerful playmate.

Here's a cozy yet speedy project.

On chilly days, slip kids' hands into mittens you've decorated to look like ferocious beasts.

Embroider an eye-catching flourish onto knitwear to update your winter wardrobe.

A knit hat is comfortable, cozy, and surprisingly easy to make.

Give plain winter hats, mittens, and other items a decorative touch with a simple technique called needle felting.