How to make explosive snowballs in Minecraft

Minecraft commands can let players do a variety of things. Explosive snowballs possible only through commands always end up being a fun addition. With just a simple command block setup, you can make snowballs explode on impact — possible in Bedrock Edition and Java Edition.

Using a command block, you can set up a system that tracks the location of snowballs, and then trigger an explosion whenever they hit a surface. The best part is that you can modify the explosion effect by summoning Minecraft's different entities, such as TNT, lightning, or fireballs.

This guide will walk you through the steps to create explosive snowballs in Bedrock and Java Editions. This feature is easy to set up and offers endless possibilities for fun and destruction in your world.

---

Minecraft Bedrock Edition

It is a very easy command to execute (Image via Mojang Studios)

You’ll need a command block to make explosive snowballs possible in the Bedrock Edition. Start by entering the command /give @s command_block in the chat to obtain one. Place the command block in your world, then set its properties to Repeat, Unconditional, and Always

Active, so it continuously executes the command. Inside the command block, type the following command: execute at @e[type=snowball] unless block ~ ~-1 ~ air run summon ender_crystal. This command works by tracking the location of any snowball in the game. It checks whether there is a block directly beneath the snowball’s position (~ ~-1 ~).

This will summon an end crystal at that location and trigger an explosion. The result is a snowball that detonates on impact with a surface.

---

Minecraft Java Edition

For both, you need the command block first (Image via Mojang Studios)

You’ll again need a command block in Java Edition, as this setup cannot be executed directly through the chat command line. Begin by obtaining a command block using /give @s command_block.

Place the command block in your world and configure its settings similar to the Bedrock version to Repeat, Unconditional, and Always Active, so the command runs continuously. Inside the command block, type the following: execute as @e[type=snowball] at @s unless block ^ ^-1 ^-1 minecraft:air run summon minecraft:tnt ~ ~ ~.

This works by targeting every snowball in the game and executing the command at its position. It includes a condition that checks if the block directly beneath the snowball is not air by using the unless block ^ ^-1 ^-1 minecraft:air clause.

If the snowball has hit a solid surface, it triggers the command to summon TNT at the snowball’s location using run summon minecraft:tnt ~ ~ ~, which creates an explosion.

For added customization, you can replace TNT with other entities, such as lightning bolts or fireballs, to create different effects. With this setup, every snowball you throw will explode upon contact with a surface, adding an exciting and destructive twist to your gameplay.