Cats are awesome, and a snow cat is a must have for any cat-lover's yard.

Materials:
-Snow
-2 Bouncy Balls
-6 or 8 small sticks

Optional Materials:
-Toy mouse
-Jack-O-Lantern carving materials
-Cat toys

Step 1: Step 1: Design

We made our snow cat (which we later named "Snowball") in the sitting upright position, and this Instructable is based off this design. This would allow us to make it structurally strong, while still being able to be creative. We have also made one laying down on it's side, but it was hard to tell that it was a cat. Be creative.

Step 2: Step 2: the Build

Make a pile of snow the approximate height you would like your snow cat to be (don't forget the ears). Through trial and error, my brother and I found out that approximately "hip high" is a good height. Leave room for a tail at the end too.

Step 3: Step 3: the "Arch"

We recommend you start with the front of the cat, and begin to carve out some legs and paws. Make an archway under the cat's torso and carve around two legs.

Step 4: Step 3: the Head

Begin to carve out a rounded head for your cat. Two pointy snowballs for the ears work very well. Flatten out the nose a little bit and make sure the ears are on securely.

TIP: Put a small stick into the cat's head where the ears go, and stick the ears on these sticks. It keeps them on longer than simply molding them on.

Step 5: Step 4: the Body

Cat bodies aren't necessarily hard, especially in the sitting position. Leave a bump on each side near the ground for the cat's hind legs, and carve out the belly.

Step 6: Step 5: Customization

Be creative. Use food coloring to dye your cat to match your fuzzy pal. Since our cat Ella is white, we just kept her white.

Use tiny sticks as whiskers and the bouncy balls as eyes. A toy mouse in the cat's mouth is a funny touch.

Step 7: Step 6: the Final Product

Now sit back and enjoy your new snow cat. The only pictures of mine I could find were the first one my brother and I ever made. But like I said, make this cat yours. A snowball of "yarn" in front of it, food coloring stripes, toy mice, anything.

This is a very fun project that my brother and I did 3 years in a row. We weren't able to make one this year due to a lack of snowfall.