How to Make a Snow Globe

Guide Note Capture the wonder of a winter scene in a homemade snow globe! This simple project is perfect for children of all ages. In How to Make a Snow Globe, learn a few easy steps that can transform a bunch of ordinary household objects into one magical creation.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Choosing a Look
• Step 2: Selecting and Prepping a Suitable "Globe"
• Step 3: Setting the Scene
• Step 4: Filling Up Your Globe
• Conclusion

Snow Globe Making Tips

1. Choose a jar whose lid will fit the elements of your scene.
2. Use only waterproof miniatures or figurines in the jar.
3. Glycerin gives glitter a slower, snowy effect in the water.
4. Add pizazz with blue food coloring.
5. Seal the jar with silicone sealant or hot glue.

• by Joy Alger

Introduction

• No matter where you live or what the season, you're only a few steps from enjoying a picturesque winter scene. Snow globes are a wonderful way to capture nature's magic on a smaller scale. And the best part is you don't have to spend a lot to enjoy one. Odds are you have nearly all the makings of these scenic crafts right in your kitchen cabinet!

You will need

• Glass jar with matching lid (any size)
• Waterproof figurines
• Aquarium/silicone sealant, florist clay or hot glue
• Distilled water
• Glycerin or mineral oil
• Glitter and/or hard-boiled egg shell
• Optional: food coloring and liquid dish soap

Step 1: Choosing a Look

• 

  (Creative Commons photo by Randy)
  Despite its wintry moniker, a snow globe can display miniature scenery from any season; it all depends on the contents.¹ If capturing Christmas in a jar isn't your thing, consider these alternatives with any number of scene features before you begin:

1. For an Autumn themed snow globe, try red, gold and orange glitter or foil leaf confetti.²
2. Use black and orange glitter for a Halloween snow globe.¹
3. Foil heart confetti and/or a drop or two of red food coloring is great for Valentine's Day.³
4. Celebrate Independence Day with red, white and blue glitter.

Step 2: Selecting and Prepping a Suitable "Globe"

• Your snow globe is not likely to have the traditional shape of a globe, if it's truly homemade. Any clean, glass jar with a right-fitting lid will do the trick for this project.⁴ A few ideas include:

1. A baby food jar ("Stage 3" is a good size).⁵
2. A pickle jar.²
3. A pimento jar (some come in a spherical shape).^{4 2}
4. A jelly or jam jar.⁶

• The most important feature to consider is size. Make sure the jar you've selected will comfortably fit the scene features (figurines, etc.) you desire.²
• Consider painting the lid or gluing a ribbon around it for an extra-special touch.^{7 1}

Step 3: Setting the Scene

• The scene you stage in your snow globe is just as important as its glittery flurries. Choosing the best accessories can create a stunning effect.

Pick Your Pieces Wisely

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by Andy McLeod)
   Anything you put in the globe must be waterproof.⁸
2. Plastic or ceramic features work well (e.g. Christmas ornaments, cake toppers or hobby-store miniatures).^{4 1}
3. Avoid objects made of wood or paper.⁷

Arrange the Elements

1. Before anything gets glued down, figure out how all the pieces will fit on the underside of your jar lid.⁹
2. Check to see whether the scene is raised enough from the jar lid to be fully visible. If it's not, build under the elements with some florist clay until the desired height is reached.²
3. Use aquarium/silicone sealant or florist clay to secure all the pieces to the lid (hot glue also can work), keeping enough space from the edge to ensure it screws onto the jar.¹
4. Allow sealant to dry for 12 hours or overnight before proceeding to the next step.^{3 6}

Step 4: Filling Up Your Globe

• Now that you've got your scene together, it's time to fill your globe with water, which is what makes snowfall possible. Additives such as glycerin and egg shell create a slow-falling, fluttering effect as the glitter adds color and shine.

1. Use distilled water. If you don't have any distilled water on hand, you can make your own by boiling tap water then letting it cool.³
2. Pour water into globe until it almost reaches the top (or about 1/2 inch from the top).^{7 9}
   • -If you're using food coloring, you may also add it at this point; a drop of blue dye can create a nice sky effect.⁸
   • -A half teaspoon of liquid dish detergent added to the mix can help create a floating impression for the snow.⁶
3. Add a few drops or 1/8 teaspoon glycerin (mineral oil may be substituted).^{3 2}
4. Create snowfall with the addition of your glitter of choice and the shell of a hard-boiled egg (separated from egg membrane and crushed).³
   1. Start with a small amount of glitter (approximately 1 teaspoon for every 1 inch of water).²
   2. Then temporarily screw the lid on to see if it's enough.
   3. Add more as desired.⁹
5. Seal it all up by lining the threads of the jar lid with more sealant; screw back onto jar and allow to dry (you can use hot glue for this step, too, but use caution when screwing the lid back on).⁸

• WARNING: Children should not use hot glue without supervision.

• HowCast: How to Make a Snow Globe (Time: 1:54)

Conclusion

• Your snow globe is ready to be shaken and enjoyed! If you want to add a little something extra to your completed project, create depth by sticking scenic pictures to the back of the jar that correspond to your globe scene.⁷ Or try gluing it lid-side down to a base of some kind, giving it an even more distinguished look.³

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References for How to Make a Snow Globe

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Kaboose.com: Snow globe
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} NBC.com/Today: Martha's 7 unique, homemade holiday decorations
5. ↑ ParentsConnect.com: Snowed in
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} SuperNanny.com: Make a Christmas snow globe
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} HGTV.com: Homemade snow globes
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} FamilyEducation.com: Homemade Snow globe
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} My Arts and Crafts: Make Your Own Snow Globe Video (Time: 7:57)