How to turn a small wood crate into a fun indoor snowball fight holder.

The upcycled crate is so cute to have on display on a coffee table tray, in a front entry, or under a tree for the holidays.

But this ole gal has the perfect hallway in mind to have some safe indoor fun with the grandkids. Sure, we could head outdoors for the real thing but it's way more fun feeling a little mischievous throwing some snowballs indoors!

Faux Snowball Wood Crate Makeover

When I found the small wooden crate at the thrift store this summer, my intention was to fill it with pumpkins for a fall centerpiece. But all that changed during a trip to the dollar store when I spotted a plastic container of indoor snowballs.

I couldn't get home fast enough to give that small wooden crate a festive makeover. I even had the little dollar store wooden sign waiting in my stash for just the right project.

Pictured below is the designated hallway battle zone. There is no concern for anything getting broken here plus there are several doorways to duck into to dodge flying snowballs.

What You'll Need To Make It

As I mentioned earlier, everything to make this indoor snowball fight holder can be found at the dollar store, including the snowballs. If you can't find the wood crate at the dollar store, I've also seen them at Michaels.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from any qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Supply List

Small Wooden Crate
Indoor Snowballs
Small Wood Sign
Rustoleum Chalked Farmhouse Red Paint
White Paint
Aged Glaze
Mod Podge
Hot Glue Gun
Black Cricut Machine Vinyl (optional)

In the supply list, I mention you'll need black vinyl for a Cricut Machine. Don't worry if you don't have one, I'll be sharing another option for making the snowball fight sign as well.

Here's How I Made It

First I untied one end of each twine rope handle and set them aside for later. Next, I painted the crate with just one coat of Farmhouse Red Rustoleum Ultra-Matte Paint.

To give the red-painted wood crate an aged patina, I brushed some brown glaze over the paint and immediately wiped it back with a lint-free rag.

Then I went back in with my brush and added a little more glaze along the edges, blending it in toward the center. You can see the difference between the glazed wooden slat and the painted ones in the photo below.

While the glaze was drying I painted the small wooden sign with two coats of white acrylic craft paint. While it was drying I designed the typography for the snowball fight sign in Cricut Design Space.

You'll notice I added some little mittens to the graphic later. I clicked the images tab on the left and searched for snowflake and mitten graphics to upload onto my design mat.

Once the second coat of white paint was completely dry, I used transfer paper to apply the black vinyl to the front of the sign. You don't need to have a Cricut or Silhouette Machine for the sign typography.

Alternatively, create the snowball fight typography in Microsoft Word, PicMonkey, or other software and use this image transfer technique or this glossy paper image transfer technique to add it to the front of the sign.

Next, I brushed two thin coats of Mod Podge over the sign. You don't necessarily have to do this to protect the vinyl, you'll see why I did in the next step.

The dark black glossy vinyl stands out like a sore thumb and takes away from the vintage vibe I'm going for with the snowball holder. To remedy that I brushed a thin layer of white acrylic craft paint over the sign.

Next, I wrapped tape around the ends of the twine rope handles and fed them back through the crate, and retied the knots.

To hang the snowball fight sign on the front of the festive wood crate, I put a dab of hot glue on the inside to hold the twine rope. Then I added another dab behind the sign to keep it from moving.

Last but not least, I filled the indoor snowball holder with fluffy faux snowballs. Now I wait patiently for my grandkid's next visit to surprise them.

I have a feeling this is going to be a big hit with our young and young-at-heart visitors. And yes, I'll be right in there with them!

Here's another fun idea to enjoy with guests during the holidays. This good, clean, wholesome handmade ice breaker game is great fun for everyone young and old. It helps break that awkward silence when not everyone knows each other at your holiday gatherings.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope this has inspired you to take a trip to the dollar store for the supplies to make your own festive indoor snowball fight wood crate.

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