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.

• 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

• Despite its wintry moniker, a snow globe can display miniature scenery from any season; it all depends on the contents.Kaboose.com: Snow globe 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.Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
2. Use black and orange glitter for a Halloween snow globe.Kaboose.com: Snow globe
3. Foil heart confetti and/or a drop or two of red food coloring is great for Valentine's Day.Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe
4. Celebrate Independence Day with red, white and blue glitter.

• 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.NBC.com/Today: Martha's 7 unique, homemade holiday decorations A few ideas include:

1. A baby food jar ("Stage 3" is a good size).ParentsConnect.com: Snowed in
2. A pickle jar.Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
3. A pimento jar (some come in a spherical shape).NBC.com/Today: Martha's 7 unique, homemade holiday decorations Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
4. A jelly or jam jar.SuperNanny.com: Make a Christmas snow globe

• 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.Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
• Consider painting the lid or gluing a ribbon around it for an extra-special touch.HGTV.com: Homemade snow globes Kaboose.com: Snow globe

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
Anything you put in the globe must be waterproof.FamilyEducation.com: Homemade Snow globe

Plastic or ceramic features work well (e.g. Christmas ornaments, cake toppers or hobby-store miniatures).NBC.com/Today: Martha's 7 unique, homemade holiday decorations Kaboose.com: Snow globe

Avoid objects made of wood or paper.HGTV.com: Homemade snow globes

Arrange the Elements
Before anything gets glued down, figure out how all the pieces will fit on the underside of your jar lid.My Arts and Crafts: Make Your Own Snow Globe Video (Time: 7:57)

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.Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe

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.Kaboose.com: Snow globe

Allow sealant to dry for 12 hours or overnight before proceeding to the next step.Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe SuperNanny.com: Make a Christmas snow 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.Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe
2. Pour water into globe until it almost reaches the top (or about 1/2 inch from the top).HGTV.com: Homemade snow globes My Arts and Crafts: Make Your Own Snow Globe Video (Time: 7:57)
   • -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.FamilyEducation.com: Homemade Snow globe
   • -A half teaspoon of liquid dish detergent added to the mix can help create a floating impression for the snow.SuperNanny.com: Make a Christmas snow globe
3. Add a few drops or 1/8 teaspoon glycerin (mineral oil may be substituted).Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
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).Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe
   1. Start with a small amount of glitter (approximately 1 teaspoon for every 1 inch of water).Buzzle.com: How to make a winter crafts snow globe
   2. Then temporarily screw the lid on to see if it's enough.
   3. Add more as desired.My Arts and Crafts: Make Your Own Snow Globe Video
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).FamilyEducation.com: Homemade Snow globe

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

• 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.HGTV.com: Homemade snow globes Or try gluing it lid-side down to a base of some kind, giving it an even more distinguished look.Howcast.com: How to make a snow globe