Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Snowball in Minecraft

Looking to play a harmless prank on your friends in Minecraft? The snowball is the perfect item for that! Initially just a fun way to annoy your pals, these snowy spheres have recently taken on greater significance with the arrival of the new mob variant in the upcoming 1.21.6 update. If you’re unsure how to make or obtain snowballs, don’t worry! This guide will clarify everything you need to know about crafting snowballs in Minecraft.

How to Obtain Snowballs in Minecraft

A snowball in Minecraft is a simple white sphere that can be launched at players or mobs, producing a slight knockback effect. Importantly, snowballs are non-damaging to all entities except Blazes. You can gather snowballs through different methods, which are outlined below.

1. Mining Snow Blocks

Mine Snow Blocks to Get Snowballs in Minecraft — Image Credit: Minecraft/Mojang (screenshot by Bipradeep Biswas/Beebom)

Your first option involves heading to a snowy biome where you can find snow blocks readily available. Equip yourself with a basic shovel (no need for silk touch) and start mining. Each snow block you break will yield 4 snowballs, so be quick to collect them before they vanish! Notably, there is no requirement for silk touch in the Bedrock Edition.

2. Exploding the Snow

Use TNT to Get Snowballs in Minecraft — Image Credit: Minecraft/Mojang (screenshot by Bipradeep Biswas/Beebom)

Another technique for obtaining snowballs is to use TNT to blow up layers of snow. This method can yield 1-8 snowballs per destroyed layer. Simply place TNT near snow blocks and activate it using a redstone signal, fire charge, or flint and steel.

3. Using Ravagers

Ravagers, which appear during Pillager raids, can also help you gather snowballs. If you are in a snowy Taiga village with the Bad Omen effect, a raid will commence, during which Ravagers will spawn. When charged, these mobs can break snow blocks and produce snowballs, albeit in smaller quantities and over a longer duration.

Use Ravagers to Get Snowballs in Minecraft — Image Credit: Minecraft/Mojang (screenshot by Bipradeep Biswas/Beebom)

4. Destroying Snow with Pistons

This method is exclusive to the Bedrock version of Minecraft and may not function properly in Java Edition. To use this technique, you will need a piston coupled with a means of activation, such as a redstone signal or a lever. When the piston is applied to a snow block, snowballs will drop as follows:

1-3 layers of Snow: 1 Snowball
4-5 layers of Snow: 2 Snowballs
6-7 layers of Snow: 3 Snowballs
8 layers of Snow: 4 Snowballs

All Uses of Snowballs in Minecraft

Ghastling Minecraft (2) — Image Credit: Minecraft/Mojang (screenshot by Bipradeep Biswas/Beebom)

Previously, snowballs didn’t hold much significance in Minecraft, but they are set to become more valuable with the introduction of ghastlings in the upcoming Summer Drop of 2025. Beyond creating snow blocks (by placing four snowballs in a crafting table), here are several practical uses for snowballs:

Feed Ghastlings: Snowballs can accelerate the growth of Ghastlings; feeding 64 snowballs will turn them into happy ghasts!
Combat Situations: While snowballs cause no damage to most mobs, they deal damage to Blazes and can knock back players in Bedrock but not in Java.
Destroy End Crystals: During your battle with the Ender Dragon, snowballs are effective for taking out End Crystals.
Distract the Warden: Snowballs can also be used to divert the attention of the Minecraft Warden away from your location.

Are you familiar with these snowball strategies in Minecraft? Have you had the chance to interact with happy ghasts yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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