Most children (and many adults) are fascinated by snow globes with their miniature, enclosed worlds and magically swirling eddies of snow. As luck would have it, snow globes are incredibly easy and inexpensive to make. All you need is a jar with a lid, distilled water, epoxy glue, glycerin (available at drug stores), glitter and your figurines. Look for plastic or ceramic figurines (metal ones will most likely rust) at flea markets, variety stores, hobby shops, aquarium stores, and floral supply stores, for instance.
Step 1. Decide what you want to create.
The first step in creating a snow globe is to decide on a scene or on a single figurine for the inside. The great thing about a homemade snow globe is that you can customize the scene for the person receiving it or for a special occasion. Got a horse-crazy teenage girl? Simply pick out a couple of plastic horse figurines from a local variety store. Want something a bit more classy for the Buddhist in your life? Find a small plastic or stone Buddha and green plastic plants to surround the figurine. The possibilities are endless!
Step 2. Pick a jar.
You can use any jar with a fitted lid for this project— baby-food jars, pickle jars, canning jars and more. For a more professional look, you can use an actual snow globe jar. You can easily find these, although be forewarned that they are definitely more pricey than a recycled baby-food jar!
Step 3. Layout the scene.
Arrange your figurine(s) on the inside bottom of the jar lid. When you are happy with the placement, use epoxy glue to stick the items onto the jar lid. Press the figurine down onto the lid, and hold it for about 2-5 seconds depending on its size.
Step 4. Let it dry.
Let the glued scene or figurine dry for about a day to make sure it is securely hardened onto the lid.
Step 5. Fill the jar.
Once the epoxy is dry and the figurines are stable, pour distilled water into the jar, filling it to almost to the top.
Step 6. Add the glycerin.
Pour in a dash of glycerin. Glycerin will let your glitter or “snow” fall down at a leisurely pace. It doesn’t take much glycerin at all and it is better to put in a bit too little than a bit too much. You can always add some extra glycerin later.
Step 6. Pour in some glitter.
Sprinkle plastic glitter into the water. After you are satisfied with the amount of glitter that you have added, stir the contents with a spoon to mix the glycerin, water, and glitter.
Step 7. Fill the jar to the rim.
If there is still air between the jar and the lid, add more distilled water to fill the jar to the very top. This prevents air bubbles from appearing in your snow globe.
Step 8. Seal the lid.
Keeping the glass jar right side up, place your lid onto the top of the jar, and seal it. If you have small children who might want to open the jar, glue the lid to the top of the jar. Also, note that the jar might leak some at first, but that is just because it is overflowing from being filled. Once you have dried the excess water up, turn your jar over, and you have made a snow globe!
Image: iStockPhoto
