Homemade Snow Globes are a surprisingly easy winter craft for kids!

Getting to hold a miniature world in your hands and watch snow swirl and swoop all around the scene, dancing and bringing life to something that just a moment ago was sitting still in anticipation.

There is so much magic in a snow globe.

Kids especially love shaking up the little globe and watching the snow swirl and bring the scene to life, it’s absolutely mesmerizing for them – and getting to make their own snow globe is even more exciting!

This craft is perfect for kids of any age and it doesn’t have to be a winter scene! You can make homemade snow globes with special trip souvenirs, favorite animal figurines – even superhero or character figurines. I’ve even seen where people laminate a picture and pop it in a snow globe! I’m not sure how long that would last but a good quality laminate should last quite a while.

While we are dealing with some grown-up craft materials to make this craft, there is plenty for kids to do and help with. Mason jars are sturdy – I’ve dropped them a bunch of times without breaking any, and while glycerin might remind you of “nitro glycerin” in the movies, it’s really just a sugar-based alcohol that helps preserve moisture levels in baked goods.

In this craft, glycerin provides two uses: it helps stop the water from evaporating and also helps slow the glitter from just falling from one end of the jar to the other, giving it that swirly effect that is so captivating.

Check out just how easy it is to make these DIY Snow Globes and then scroll down to grab your free printable to make them at home!

Materials to Make a Homemade Snow Globe

• Small figurines or ornaments
• Distilled water
• Glycerine
• Mason jar
• e600 or hot glue
• Glitter
• Bottle Cap, optional

Tip: you need approximately 1 teaspoon glycerin per 1/2 teaspoon of glitter, adjust as needed to get the glitter to slowly fall the way you want.

I highly recommend grabbing a couple of these sturdy plastic lunch trays (we have one in the pictures in this post). I use these for almost all of our craft or kitchen activities, as well as in our Montessori practical life activities. Ours have lasted for over 6 years and are still going strong, plus they are so great for containing messes and allowing the kids to set a project to the side while it dries (or if you have to clear off the table for supper).

How to Make a DIY Snow Globe

Ensure that your mason jar and figurines are well-cleaned before starting this craft. To get a good shine on glass, trying holding it above a steaming mug of hot water and polishing with a clean cotton cloth.

If using ornaments, remove the string. (You can leave the eye hook in place or remove if desired.)

First check to see if your figurine needs a boost to have good visibility when the mason jar is closed by placing the figurine in the jar lid and closing the jar.

If you think the figurine needs some boosting, glue a bottle cap to the inside of the mason jar lid first before attaching the figurine.

Securely glue the figurine to the inside of the mason jar lid (or to the bottle cap, if using) and let dry. (Read the glue instructions to see if they suggest letting the glue cure for a longer period of time.)

Add distilled water to your mason jar and stir in the glycerin and glitter.

You may want to experiment with your first snow globe to see what ratio of water to glycerin to glitter you prefer. Too much glitter will make it hard to see what’s in your snow globe, and too little glycerin will make it so the glitter just drops when the jar is shaken.

Personally, we used about 3/4 cup of water, 3 teaspoons glycerin and 2 teaspoons glitter.

Don’t fill your jar too much because the figurine will displace some water and you want a small air pocket for allow for the shaking.

Place the inverted mason jar lid on the jar and secure tightly. Glue the jar lid in place and embellish as desired with ribbon, etc.

Pin this Easy Homemade Snow Globe:

Grab your free printable instructions for our DIY Snow Globe craft:

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Yield: 1 Snow Globe

DIY Snow Globes (with Video)

Print

DIY Snow Globes, an easy Winter craft for kids - or a fun way to save travel memories or a custom DIY snow globe for a special character

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

• Small figurines
• Distilled water
• Glycerine
• Mason jar
• e600 or hot glue
• Glitter

Tools

• Hot Glue Gun

Instructions

1. Ensure that your mason jar and figurines are well-cleaned before starting this craft. To get a good shine on glass, trying holding it above a steaming mug of hot water and polishing with a clean cotton cloth.
2. If using ornaments, remove the string. (You can leave the eye hook in place or remove if desired.)
3. First check to see if your figurine needs a boost to have good visibility when the mason jar is closed by placing the figurine in the jar lid and closing the jar.
4. If you think the figurine needs some boosting, glue a bottle cap to the inside of the mason jar lid first before attaching the figurine.
5. Securely glue the figurine to the inside of the mason jar lid (or to the bottle cap, if using) and let dry. (Read the glue instructions to see if they suggest letting the glue cure for a longer period of time.)
6. Add distilled water to your mason jar and stir in the glycerin and glitter.
7. You may want to experiment with your first snow globe to see what ratio of water to glycerin to glitter you prefer. Too much glitter will make it hard to see what's in your snow globe, and too little glycerin will make it so the glitter just drops when the jar is shaken.
8. Personally, we used about 3/4 cup of water, 3 teaspoons glycerin and 2 teaspoons glitter.
9. Don't fill your jar too much because the figurine will displace some water and you want a small air pocket for allow for the shaking.
10. Place the inverted mason jar lid on the jar and secure tightly. Glue the jar lid in place and embellish as desired with ribbon, etc.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  KAMOTA Mason Jars 12 oz With Regular Lids and Bands, Ideal for Jam, Honey, Wedding Favors, Shower Favors, Baby Foods, DIY Magnetic Spice Jars, 12 PACK, 20 Whiteboard Labels Included
• 
  E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces
• 
  Fine Slime Glitter, Set of 32 Colors, LEOBRO Multi Purpose Glitter Powder for Arts, Crafts, Epoxy Tumblers, Decoration Weddings Cards Flowers, Scrapbooking, Body, Face, Nail, Glitter Slime Making
• 
  NOW Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing, 16-Ounce
• 
  Arrowhead Brand Distilled Water, 127.99 oz

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These homemade snow globes are an absolutely magical craft to make with your kids and make a beautiful homemade gift!

For more awesome winter craft ideas, check out our Rainbow Tree Process Art Project or our Watercolor Ribbon Wand.

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