If you are looking for easy DIY Christmas craft ideas for kids, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, learn how to make a snow globe in a jar with our helpful step-by-step tutorial and video.
For over a century, snow globes have captivated the hearts and imaginations of kids and adults. Making a DIY snow globe glitter jar is a fun way for kids to remember special events, holiday traditions, or showcase beloved toys, such as LEGOs.
How to Make a Snow Globe
These homemade LEGO snow globes are a winter wonderland in a jar! My kids enjoy shaking their jars and watching the glitter gently drift to the bottom, just like real snow!
Surprisingly, we found our plastic jars at The Dollar Tree! They were a fantastic bargain and so far have been leak-free. You can also find snow globe jars at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and on Amazon. In some stores, they are called “water globes.”
DIY snow globes are a thoughtful homemade gift idea for friends, family, teachers, and kids! To make a personalized custom snow globe with a picture inside, check out this simple tutorial.
Related: How to Make a Plastic Plate Snow Globe Craft
DIY Snow Globe Materials
- Snow globe jars
- Iridescent white glitter
- Glycerin
- Christmas and winter-themed LEGOs or Christmas miniatures
- Distilled water
- Hot glue gun
- Super Glue
- Green and red toy block tape
- Scissors
DIY Snow Globe Instructions
1. Remove any stickers and wash your snow globe jars in warm soapy water so they are free of dust and residue. Allow the jars to dry completely before moving onto step 2.
2. Next, use a high-temperature glue gun to secure holiday-themed LEGOs or Christmas miniatures to the plug of the jar. For instance, we used pieces from a LEGO Advent Calendar.
Tip: If your LEGO pieces are fragile or appear to come apart easily, you may wish to hot glue each part. For example, we used a small drop of hot glue to secure each piece of the candy cane pictured below.
3. Invite your child to pour 1 tablespoon of iridescent glitter and 2 tablespoons of liquid glycerin or clear glue into the jar.
Tip: If you don’t wish to use glitter due to environmental reasons, try using small white seed beads. The seed beads can be strained out of the globe and reused to make jewelry and other crafts.
Related: Snow Globe Coloring Page
4. Fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water, leaving 1-inch of headspace for the plug. Unlike tap water, distilled water is free of contaminants and will help keep your jars mold-free.
5. Insert the plug into the globe, then twist the cap over the plug. If you have small children, you may wish to hot glue the cap to the jar.
6. Last, secure a strip of toy block tape around the cap of the globe.
We experienced a little frustration with our toy block tape popping off the cap (sometimes, things don’t adhere well to smooth plastic), but solved that problem with a small dab of super glue. If you choose to use super glue, wear gloves while applying it. If you don’t wish to use super glue, try scuffing the cap with sandpaper to help the toy block tape adhere.
7. Your easy and fun DIY snow globe is complete!\
Related: How to Make Glitter Jars
How to Make a Snow Globe Without Glycerin
Liquid glycerin increases the viscosity of water, allowing the glitter to sink more slowly. But glycerin can be hard to find in stores…especially during the busy holiday season. To make a snow globe without glycerin, simply use clear glue instead.
Save This Craft
Don’t forget to save this craft on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Fireflies and Mud Pies here.
How to Make a Snow Globe
For over a century, snow globes have captivated the hearts and imaginations of kids and adults. Making a DIY snow globe glitter jar is a fun way for kids to remember special events, holiday traditions, or showcase beloved toys, such as LEGOs.
Materials
- Snow globe jars
- Iridescent white glitter
- Glycerin
- Christmas and winter-themed LEGOs or Christmas miniatures
- Distilled water
- Hot glue gun
- Super Glue
- Green and red toy block tape
- Scissors
Instructions
- Remove any stickers and wash your snow globe jars in warm soapy water so they are free of dust and residue. Allow the jars to dry completely before moving onto step 2.
- Next, use a high-temperature glue gun to secure holiday-themed LEGOs or Christmas miniatures to the plug of the jar. For instance, we used pieces from a LEGO Advent Calendar.
- Invite your child to pour 1 tablespoon of iridescent glitter and 2 tablespoons of liquid glycerin or clear glue into the jar.
- Fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water, leaving 1-inch of headspace for the plug. Unlike tap water, distilled water is free of contaminants and will help keep your jars mold-free.
- Insert the plug into the globe, then twist the cap over the plug. If you have small children, you may wish to hot glue the cap to the jar.
- Last, secure a strip of toy block tape around the cap of the globe.
- Your easy and fun DIY snow globe is complete!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Angie says
Why is all my glitter sticking to the side of my jar and just goes back to the top not the bottom? And I added some baby oil to help since I’m out of glycerine. But it made my glitter clump up.
Melissa Lennig says
Hi Angie – Unfortunately, the baby oil is causing your problems. Baby oil makes glitter float and clump. As the directions state, glycerin or clear glue is the way to go! Happy holidays!
Melissa says
I made these exactly as stated and my water is really cloudy. Do you know what I can do differently? I cleaned everything before making them and used distilled water. Maybe less glycerine? I was hoping the cloudy water would settle, but it isn’t. I’m hoping to dump and try again tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I love the idea of using LEGO.
Melissa Lennig says
Hmmm, it could be your glitter. I’ve noticed that some brands of glitter are kind of dusty. Sorry for your troubles!
Melissa says
Just wanted to let you know that I did try these again, with a different brand of glitter. And now they look fantastic! Thank you so much for this awesome tutorial. These are the perfect Christmas gift.
Melissa Lennig says
Thank you so much for circling back to share! Glad they worked out! Merry Christmas!