As Kate so delicately alluded to earlier this week, I am somewhat of a holiday junkie. And Christmas is the holiday of all holidays for me. I decorated a week before Thanksgiving; yep, I’m one of those people. One of my most favorite holiday traditions as a child was our little family advent calendar and now that my kids are old enough to enjoy some fun and creative activities, I’ve filled up our little numbered stockings with slips of paper instead of candy. Well, slips of paper intermingled with candy. It’s December; we have to have candy. I let the kiddos pull day #1 a little early so I could blog about it! I tried to word everything creatively so they could have fun trying to figure it out.
(There have been lots of questions about my advent calendar, and what I put into it. You can read all about it here!)
Snow globes are magical, whimsical, and fun. And they’re super easy to make at home.
The first thing you need are jars, with nice snug lids. Check out your fridge; I grabbed an almost empty bottle of peperoncini peppers (that I have been using on Greek Salads and Greek Tacos, you’d think I was the pregnant one with the cravings I have for those. I am most definitely not.) I also had a bottle of capers that I finally finished by making one last batch of this Grown Up Dipping Sauce (another obsession, you guys need to all try that one), and a big jar from marinara that we used for dipping Pizza Rolls. Marinated artichoke heart jars work really great for these, as do little teeny tiny baby food jars. Really any size jar works; you just have to find things to fit inside of them.
You can be creative with the items that go inside your snow globe, it’s just important that they are made of materials that won’t break down in water. Think plastic, ceramic, etc. If you’re not sure, just try placing the items in a bowl of water for a few hours and see if they start doing weird things. Try thrift and craft stores for little winter-themed figurines. And if you don’t have any of those, try some crap that belongs to your children that you want to throw away anyway fun stuff like this and try a silly snow globe.
Another really fun thing is to make your own little figurines with Sculpey Clay. You can buy all different colors at almost any craft store and it just bakes in the oven. A snowman would be super easy to make! I snipped all of my greenery off of artificial garlands I have around my house.
I decided to take it up a notch though, and put something extra special inside. I can’t tell you how much I love it when I have an idea in my head and it actually works like I thought it would! I just took a photo of each kiddo, printed it out on my home printer, cut it out, and ran it through my laminator (the laminator you all recommended to me on Facebook that I got and love. Muah!) If you don’t have a laminator, most copy stores have lamination services that don’t cost much. Make sure when you cut around your lamination, you leave a tiny border so it stays sealed up.
You will create your scene on the underside of the jar lid. I just use plain ol’ hot glue. You might want to take a piece of sand paper and rough up the inside of the jar lid so the glue adheres better. I didn’t do that with this batch and everything has stayed put just fine, but something you can try. If you have things with wide, flat bases, they’re easy to just glue right on. But if you have something like my little plastic pictures, or a tree sprig with a tiny twig at the bottom, I’ve found that it’s easier for me if I have something like little rocks (those blue things you see in the photos; they’re aquarium rocks from the pet store that I had from another project) to help keep things in place. It will make sense when you do it, but basically you can pile some glue down there, put your object in, and then mound some pebbles around it to adhere everything together as the glue dries. Check out my little snow bunnies:
It’s just important to remember to keep things away from the edges enough that you can still screw the lid onto the jar, so don’t fill the entire base with glue or rocks. When everything is dry turn it upside down and shake it a few times to make sure nothing falls off!
The next step is filling up your jar with water, almost to the very top and dumping in a bunch of glitter. I recommend adding a little more glitter than you think you need, especially if you have greenery because some of it will get stuck in there.
One thing you can do is add some glycerin, which makes the glitter float down a little slower than it does in plain water. (Or several readers have commented that baby oil accomplishes the same thing. You can also find snow globe “snow” on ebay at at some craft stores.) Glycerin can be found in the baking aisle of craft supply stores in small bottles. If you have some already, or find it easily, you can try that out. I did a side by side test and found that it didn’t make a huge difference, unless I added quite a bit. Probably at least 2-3 teaspoons per cup of water.
You know the Wilton gel colors we use in everything? Well if those get dried out, you can add glycerin to them to restore the consistency. You can also add it to homemade soap bubbles to make the bubbles stronger. I’ve heard you can also buy it at drug stores, often near the first aid supplies. Isn’t it kind of interesting when things can be found in both the cake decorating and first aid aisles?? Didn’t know that, but I read it on the internet, and if there’s one thing we all should know by now it is that everything on the internet is true. The internet is also where I discovered that if you have some benzoic acid laying around, you can make your own snow. Crap. I’m out of benzoic acid.
Anyhoo…just carefully squish your stuff in the jar as you put the lid on and tighten it. You can put hot glue on the edge of the jar if you’re want to seal it up. Or you could put some colored electrical tape around the edge of the jar. I left mine un-glued (and I strongly suggest you do, at least at first) in case I had to open them up to fix anything, or store them without water until next year, or change the water if it got cloudy, etc. I found out that one of my little red berries was painted and turned the entire snow globe pink so I was glad they weren’t glued shut and I could just snip it out and re-fill it. My hars haven’t leaked. I do flip them over sometimes and set them lid-side-up just in case. Either way it’s best to display them somewhere that won’t be damaged if a little water leaks out.
You can also paint your lids if you want to cover up the labels on them. I’m much too lazy for paint. (But not too lazy to laminate my children and put them in winter scenes inside of snow globes. It’s all about priorities, people.)
Now all that is left to do is watch your kids marvel in amazement and listen to them ask 50 times a day, “Mom, can I shake my snow globe?!”
My jars stay on my windowsill in front of my kitchen sink so they can stare at me, mocking, as I do dishes and they play in the snow.
Seriously- Best. Craft. Ever.
Bonus fun, make giant freaky eyeballs and giggle your heart out:
FYI- I wondered if the lamination would hold up in the water. I didn’t expect it to last forever, I was aiming for a few weeks at least, but it looks great; no water seeping in whatsoever. These have been in water for a couple weeks now and they look just like they did when I made them. Maybe they will last forever? (Edit: one commenter said her daughter made a snow globe with a laminated picture inside 12 years ago and it still looks great!)
Lastly- this has nothing to do with snow globes- but here’s a little video we did back when we shot our magazine cover shoot, for your viewing pleasure!
 |
Appetizers
Beef
Sandwiches and Burgers
Beverages
Breads
Breakfast and Brunch
Condiments
Desserts
Pizza and Pasta
Pork
Poultry
Salads and Dressings
Seafood
Side Dishes and Vegetables
Soups and Stews
This craft is amazing!! It is so darn cute! Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to try for the Holidays.
This is super cute!!! I love that you put the kids in the snowglobe. I never thought of making my own, now I probably will since you made it look so easy. Thanks.
I love this idea. Have you seen the laminating sheets that you can get at office supply stores. They are self adhesive laminating sheet – basically really thick clear contact (Australian product name).
They are fantastic as they are really sticky, don’t need heat and work really well. Although I am not sure if they are better than good quality laminating.
I am definitely going to try this with my children next year – they are a little young this year.
Thanks for sharing
You can get them in the states too! I’ve seen them at Target and Staples!
Ah! This is so cute!
GREAT IDEA!! Very Clever, Unique and Cute for Holiday Season Decorating. . .
These are so cute! Not sure if I have time to go collect all the cute things and a jar to make a snowglobe for my kid, but I work in a chemistry lab and I am so going to make some benzoic acid snow in a beaker for my desk at work!
Thanks for sharing. It has made me want to skip ahead in our calendar and go ahead and make our snow globes today! So cute!
by chance did you have trouble with your glitter? mine floates at the top for some reason
very nice! merry christmas!
These are amazing! What beautiful memories!!! Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE this! Here’s where I have to tell my silly story. I used to work with a bunch of guys that would play golf together fairly often (surprise, surprise). One time, a couple of them accidentally left their cart situated in such a way so that when they were paying attention to their shot, the cart started rolling into a water hazard. Fortunately they got to it before it went all the way in, but the story lived on. That Christmas, with donations from the rest of the group, I made them snow globes with miniature golf carts that looked like they were at the bottom of a lake. I found tiny golf clubs and glitter in the shape of autumn leaves, and made little golf balls out of sculpy clay. It was an office hit!
SO funny Bryanne!
Snow globes so cute and maybe I can even make one. I LOVE the calendar. Did you make it or where did you buy it? If you made it, any way to get a pattern? It is the cutest one EVER!!!
If you are a crafty sewing chick, you could easily re-create this (from Pottery Barn). I’ll give everyone the details on it with more pics later today on The Scoop!
Your poor future daughter-in-laws, so much to live up to! I’m going to start looking for jars around my house now! :o)
You always have so many great ideas…can’t wait until my daughter is older so we can enjoy these crafts together.
On a side note, where can I get that family advent calendar? I LOVE it!
It’s from Pottery Barn Kids- I’ll write up a little something about it later today and let you all know!
Adorable! I would also love to get the pattern for your advent calendar if you don’t mind. Dang Cute!
This is so great! My kids will love this!
Love the advent calendar! Are you willing to share what you have inside the other days too? Or do we have to be “patient” like the kids and wait for each day?! :) LOL
Merry Christmas!!!
Ha, yes. You must WAIT. Actually- so many people have asked, I will write up a little post about it on The Scoop later today!
How did you cut out the photos with such precision? I would have thought you’d have to leave a little edge of lamination around the cut line to keep it sealed. Evidently not. Super cute, Sara!
And, Happy Birthday to Kate tomorrow!!! Kate- don’t cook anything!
My hands have the precision of razor blades, Patti. Ha, no, I really just snipped around them with scissors, and yes I did leave a bit of a border, I should clarify that because that part is important- you probably just can’t tell in the pics!
I love this! I have to ask, where did you get your cute advent calendar???
It’s from Pottery Barn Kids!
What a fun idea!
I remember making these homemade snow globes as a kid. They are so fun! Love your advent calendar! Did you make it? If so you should share a how-to.
I’d like to see a pattern for that very cute advent and your list of activities.
I was honestly just thinking about making these last night. So fun and I’m loving the pictures of the kids inside!!
HAve everything at home, weekend craft sorted! Thank you!
Very cute idea to add pics of the kids. I wonder if you could also use the shrinky dink inkjet paper instead of laminating photos.
ooh, I didn’t know there was such a thing- good thought!
Love this! Totally making some for my friends :)
What a fun idea! I really like this one and will have to try it out.
This is the COOLEST idea ever. I love it. I have some empty baby food jars at home but will save a larger one too. Love this!!
another use for glycerin is to mix some in to the kind of bubbles your kids blow for fun. it sort of toughens them up so they can blow bigger and more bubbles. my mom used to do this for me when i was a kid. :)
I’m so happy that you are going to share your advent calendar ideas! Once again….YOU ROCK! :)
that is so cool, you definitely rock! :D
You must be the most fun mom ever!
Booo, Pottery Barn Kids says it is no longer available!!! Great pictures of what could have been.
I remember doing this as a project in elementary school/day care only we used baby oil instead of water.
oh, interesting…I’ll have to try that out too and see which works best.
My grandson would love this- thanks for sharing
Great tutorial. I saw this somewhere else and so wanted to do it, now just to get on the ball and do it. I was curious about your advent calendar stockings. Did you make them your self? It is so adorable!
I’ve seen this idea floating around on Pinterest and have been planning on making it with my boyfriend’s little brother and his nieces and nephew but after reading your post I realized – I’ve been planning on using Mason jars! If I hot glued the seal into the lid on the inside that they would stay waterproof? Also, did you need to sand paper the bottoms at all to get stuff to stick?
Yeah, I thought about mason jars as well and I’m just not sure; you’d have to do some tests first! And yes, you can sand the lids to rough them up. I didn’t, and mine have stuck just fine.
You gals have some of the most fun ideas. I pinned a picture of these snow globes on Pinterest. I hope I did it correctly so that if people like it they can get to this site to see how to do it.
Cute!
I really really love this craft! It really is one of the best ideas, ever. I need to do this, like, now. :) Thanks!
This is officially the best craft ever. My 3 year old son was very enamored of a little mickey snow globe yesterday and then he dropped it on our wood floor while shaking it. No more mickey snow globe but maybe now I can make him a customized personal snow globe! Great timing on this post! :)
Ok that is the cutest idea ever!! What are some of the other fun activities you have in the socks??
You can read about them right here!
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/12/advent-calendar-ideas/
Using baby oil or mineral oil instead of water also helps to make the glitter fall slower. Also, you can get snow globe snow at many craft stores or on ebay!
Great tips, thanks!
This is such an awesome craft. I totally want to try and make these with my kids.
I ran across a snow globe my granddaughter made for me when she was about 9 years old. She is now 21 almost 22 and the laminated photo inside the globe is still just like it was when I got it. Such a neat idea and especially for presents for grandparents.
i LOVE this idea! I’m going to try and make this sometime this weekend! yay, arts and crafts!
This is the cutest craft idea EVER! Thank you so much for sharing! :) I can’t wait to make one with my son!
Sarah! I LOVE this idea! Thanks from L.
That is AWESOME! For real.
Mariel
I think you could add some light corn syrup to the water instead to get it thicker for the glitter. I tried an “i-spy” jar with that once. Very cute idea with the kids’ pictures in them!
How did you cut out the photos? Did you cut them out by hand or did you use a Silhouette? I have a Silhouette machine but I haven’t quite figured out how to use it yet.
Just used a good ol’ pair of scissors :)
OH WOW!!! This is the COOLEST thing ever!! I have a special place in my heart for snow globes but have never made one myself. This just might be the craft of the year for me. :))
My kids and I were going to make these, this year. My 12 yr old said he would eat many jars of banana baby food, so we could have the jars! I’ve been searching everywhere for waterproof figurines…this is a great idea!
Sara, I needed some glycerin for making homemade bubble bath for Kate’s B-Day. All I did was call Rob and The Pharmacy, and he gladly brought it home that night. Who knew you could find it in so many places!
Oh, and the homemade bubble bath was an epic FAIL! We went with good ol’ Mr. Bubble!
I love these! I wanted to let you know that I featured this on my “What I Bookmarked This Week” post – stop by and see!
Thanks Daniell!
I am soo excited you posted this!! I had this idea on our advent activity, etc. list and finally decided it was not going to happen after reading very complicated directions on another site (ahem, martha stewart!) but your directions make so much more sense! and I love that you used photos! We are definitely making this now, thank you!!
hi
Oh these are way too cute!
I made some and they turned out beautiful…then 48 hours later the water was murky and kind of yellowish like muddy. It had those real mini pine cones that were painted white and sprinkled in glitter. (I wanted a shabby chic look) maybe the paint from the pine cones? or the cones themselves because they are not synthetic… Im sad about this. I made 5 all different sizes.
That’s why I didn’t glue mine- I had that happen with one little berry! I hope you can open it up and fix it!
I bet those marshmallows would be amazing in hot chocolate… PS do you guys have any secrets for making your own hot chocolate? I know it’s pretty basic to make if from scratch, but I’ve realized through trial and error that there really is a method to it… so just wondering… :)
okay I swear I was looking at the peppermint marshmallow post not the snow globes, so this comment if for that… sorry, I’m going crazy!
You know what my favorite recipe is? The one on the Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder container! One secret is that with unsweetened powder, it’s activated in boiling water, so you have to make sure to boil that part first and then add things like milk. Try out that recipe; it’s yummy!
I love this idea! Do you mind sharing what font you used for your notes you put in the stockings?
It’s called “Smiley Monster” here’s a link!
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/freescrapbookfonts/smiley-monster/
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Thank you :)
What sizes did you make the photos?
You just need to measure your jars and then create a photo to fit. I created an image in photoshop so it would fit perfectly; it will depend on your jar size and the size of the kid in your photo!
Man I posted this on my website…mine looked terrible!! Yours are SO cute. I am just not meant to craft. Thanks for sharing though!
I made this last night and my little laminated cousin is so cute staring back at me! But, the glitter seems to be attracted to him and won’t get off him, even when I shake the jar. There’s so much on there that I can’t see his features, just a goofy, glittery shape. Is there a special secret to keep the glitter from sticking to the laminated surface? I haven’t tried adding baby oil or glycerin yet, is that the magic trick? Thank you!
That’s so weird! Maybe a static problem or something? I honestly have no idea, that’s never happened to me!
I am having the same problem and it is driving me nuts. I used baby oil. Could that be the reason?
A-MAZ-ING! Love it! We’ll be doing this when my biggest kiddo comes home from college for Christmas!
What type of glue did you use to adhere the items to the jar lid?
I just used hot glue and my glue gun.
Hey I love your blog, and especially love this idea :)Can you please invite me to Pinterest? sherisse.doucette@gmail.com. thanks!
So cute!! Question, when you cut the kids out, do you use anything behind them to help them stand up? Or just the hot glue?
Nope, just the hot glue, but that’s why I use that mound of pebbles on the bottom, and also I stick a tree behind each one to prop them up.
I love these, they are so cute. I tried to make some the other day but ran into a couple problems and I was hoping you could help me out. I glued some aquarium rocks to the bottom(the round glass kind that are about the size of a nickel). I used hot glue, but when they got wet all of them came off. I was super sad. What can I do about this? Also, Ive tried a few different kinds of glitter but they all seem to float. Is there a kind that is better than others? Thanks!
I would rough up the jar lid with sand paper first; that should help. And I’m not sure about the glitter; a few people have had floating glitter problems, but all the glitter I’ve ever used has worked great!
I loved this so much, I can’t wait to try it with the girls this year! *I suspect I may enjoy it more than them, if that’s possible!!* Thank you so much for sharing (and making it so fun & easy to read to boot!).
PS. I enjoyed it so much, I gave you a shout-out on my blog & will be asking Santa for that laminating machine for Christmas! :) Thanks again xo
(http://helenalujan.blogspot.com/2011/12/fun-find-friday_09.html)
I knew I saved those old pizza sauce jars for a reason! I had four of them on a shelf, empty, waiting to be used for something. This is PERFECT! I just started my first ‘globe’ tonight. I’m in a small, small town in Germany so I’m not sure I’ll be able to find anyone to laminate my photos … but we’ll see! Fingers crossed. Thanks so much for sharing this brilliant idea!
Such a great idea! Tried it today… once with baby oil and once with just plain old water. I can’t keep my glitter from clumping together? It floats at the top or clumps at the bottom and on the picture. Any ideas? I got the glitter from the craft section at Smith’s. Should be fine I would think.
hmmm…I’m not sure about the glitter. i just use regular stuff from the craft store as well and didn’t have any clumping. Strange!
Sadness…I was so excited to do this and my son loved it…until the stuff in his snow globe came unglued the next morning and started floating. My daughter’s did the same thing (with smaller, lighter items), so I must have cheap hot glue. :( I’m hoping to try again with better glue, because I love the idea!!
About 10 years ago, I made one for my aunt. I used Epoxy to seal my item to the lid, and also to seal the glass container and lid together. Worked perfectly.
Julie, try roughing up the lid with sandpaper first- that will help the glue stick!
If anyone is worried about glass with smaller kids or other special needs I found plastic empty snow globes to do this exact thing at Michael’s for 3.49. I am making them for some kids with sensory issues in our lives so glass was out of the question. I can’t wait, thanks so much for the idea!!!!!!
Always enjoyed snow globes when I was a kid, my girls did too! So making these this weekend when I’ll be babysitting the grandkids, 3 and 5. Thanks!
Love the fact that I can ask a question….I am making snow globe ornaments, my confetti and glitter aren’t cooperating, and sitting on top….using glycerin with water…help
Brenda, several people have said this same thing and I have no idea! I’ve never, ever had that happen. Did you stir it in before you added your stuff?
$1 Store sells lamination sheets and they work great!
Awesome Craft!
I am so PSYCHED I found your blog. This is soooo awesome. I am building one tonight for my little niece for Xmas. She collects snow globes – and wait till she see’s her aunt Dee ( Wen-”Dee” ) waving from behind a tree!!!
I am so PSYCHED I found your blog. This is soooo awesome. I am building one tonight for my little niece for Xmas. She collects snow globes – and wait till she see’s her aunt Dee ( Wen-”Dee” ) waving from behind a tree – in a globe! !!!
Love Love Love <3
These are adorable. I had everyone in the office at my desk checking out the website. They all have small children and I have 6 grandchildren.. I can see this being a Mothers Day gift that my Brownie Girl Scouts can make as well. I will definatly share the idea, THANKS!
I did this for a lab with teens, they still love this stuff!!! I didn’t have much luck with baby oil, if you try this I recommend finding the glycerin. Many sites say baby oil is OK but it made all the glitter clump.
I experienced “glitter clump/float” as well when I made a globe. Using distilled water with glycerin instead tap water seemed to help a bit. Also, the “snow” (shiny white crystals) purchased from a craft store (Michael’s) did not float well – too heavy.
This is a great idea, but I would say that it is more geared for kids ages 8 and older. I was going to have this be a craft for my son’s pre-K class, but after I made one by myself the night before…NO WAY.
I ended up making all of them for the kids and their moms and they did something much, MUCH simpler.
Definitely try out your ‘extras’ to make certain that they do not disintegrate in the water. Maybe overnight. I had to redo one of the globes because it had floaties and was milky from a fake lollipop.
Brilliant, love the use of photos, am planning on giving this a go next year, nice and early when there is much less to do :) Shared in on my crafty page on fb
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ivys-Attic/126592304936 Seasons Greetings :)
Super adorable!!! Your boys are adorable anyway, but even cuter in a snow globe!
All of mine turned brown??? I love this idea and want to salvage mine as they are christmas gifts:) Did the snips of green turn your water eventually??? I am so sad. I am not sure how to make them not turn colors?? Should I seal the branches and stuff with a spray of some kind?
I just tried making this and I used a glue gun to glue down a photo holder to the lid then I added it into the water and it came off the lid.. Any glue recommendations??
I made your snowglobes for our missionaries.
Thanks for your great blog!
Merry Christmas.
http://buenosaireswest.blogspot.com/2011/12/argentine-snow-globes.html
Thanks for the idea and the giggle. You have a great sense of humor – it’s rare that I read all the way through someone’s blog but I had to read yours. I think I will try this even though my kids are teenagers – good way to torture them since teenagers and smiling don’t go together very often. :)
What a wonderful idea!
I have to tell you a huge thanks! I made this for my son’s girlfriend. She is here while he is away at BYUI. I put in a pic of the 2 of them at Disneyland in front of the Christmas tree. She has it on her desk at work. She said everyone at work is amazed with it. See we can even impress big kids with adorable ideas! :) I did make a few different ones and made some observations. Canning jars work fine. The glitter doesn’t stick as much to the pics with glycerin versus baby oil. (It was horrible with the baby oil)I also discovered regular craft glue works fine for the first few hours. THEN it somehow disipates and clouds up the water big time! So I think only glue guns will work. I had fun being a scientist and trying different versions. I am sure that is how you feel doing it.
These are just awesome! I’m doing a snow-themed birthday party for my daughter in early Feburary, and based on other reading, I’d ruled out having kids makes snowglobes AT the party, because the epoxy that others suggest using takes 12 hours to dry before it can be placed in the water. I’m so excited to try this using just hot glue, as it will solve that problem! One quick question — do you always end up with an air bubble inside the jar? It’s not a big deal, but if you have a tip as to how to avoid one, I’d love to hear about it! Thanks for your great, great post on this project!
Well there has to be *some* air, but you can fill it very near the top if you’re really careful.
I made one of these to give to a friend last week (he has a party where everyone brings a homemade gift for someone). I had an adorable picture of him with his 2 dogs in the snow that I wanted to use for something and this was the perfect idea. I used Gorilla glue to glue everything into place – there is a white version that is supposed to be 100% waterproof. It foams up and expands when it dries, which added to the snow effect and made it easier to stick everything into place. I also used the self stick laminating sheets for the photo since I don’t have a laminator. They don’t seem as good as the heat sealed ones though. I cut off pieces of greenery from an artificial wreath and trimmed them in a Christmas tree shape to use as trees. I filled it with just water and glitter (no glycerin or baby oil) and it seems fine. Also I wrapped some plumber’s/thread sealing tape around the jar threads before putting on the lid to help prevent leakage and that seemed to work well. Just wanted to share some of the things that helped mine work, since my first version didn’t (the craft glue wasn’t waterproof and the jar leaked). My second version seems to have held up and everyone at the party loved it! Thanks for the great instructions.
[...] With a Mason jar or empty jam jar, you can put together a one-of-a-kind creation for your child! A snow globe is great for the holidays and is easy to make with some glycerin and glitter. You can decorate it [...]
Retro plastic snow globe and snowdome kits at snowdomes.com, a nice alternative to glass jars.
I made these about 20 years ago with my son and his fellow cub scouts. Used plumbers putty to secure to baked clay figures to the lid and to seal the jars. His is still in my Christmas globe collection and we are getting ready to make them with my grand daughter. Really fun and lasts…….
looks lovely!! really good job :) as just a suggestion to prolong photo life even longer…maybe coating the photos in modpodge first too :)
xx
Making them with my twin 10year old boys and they love it!
I made these in baby food jars for my son to sell at his 4th grade Christmas store where everything had to be handmade. Sold fast. I used white glitter for the snow with glycerin added to the jar. I used mini ornaments meant for the little 3′ Christmas trees…Hot glued everything together. For more personalized I love the pictures!
This is unbelievable! I just discovered your blog today and I absolutely love it. This idea of a snow globe is probably the best. I always have my home stuffed with jars (you know the feeling when you feel you should throw things out but then again you just think you may need them one day?). Now these will turn into snow globes. I promise them that!
[...] this? Your kids are going to LOVE these. Personalized kid’s picture inside snow mason jars. Kids in Snow Globe Beautiful gift card idea. Gift Card Snow Globe I have a few stem glasses to spare for [...]
these look amazing!
i work in childcare, in the toddlers room and i am planing to make these for the children and their families for christmas!
the hardest part is getting good pictures that will look nice in the snow globes!
thank you so much for this.
yours are the best i’ve seen by far!!
well, wish me luck! :)
Really very very creative idea. Wanna share it with more people. :)
I wonder if a plastic Mayo jar would still have the same effect? That way I don’t have to worry about my 2 year old dropping and breaking it!
Wow! I think that the project is such a great idea that I have even thought about making my own snow globe and giving to one of my close friends as a present!
Can plastic be an alternative?
Yeah, can plastic be an alternative?
i try to use hot glue it wont stick.how can i get it to stick
About hot glue. Make sure that the lid is clean and dry. I noticed in the instructions it said you can rough the surface of the lid with sandpaper to help the glue stick. If you don’t have a laminating machine you may be able to find clear contact paper. We used this at a preschool where I use to work.
Maybe even gluing a piece of bunched up white fabric down first then gluing the items to that would work.
the snow globe: great idea: burlap is also in this year: do you have any ideas on burlap>>>>>> just a ribbon around a vase is nice:
About hot glue. Make sure that the lid is clean and dry. I noticed in the instructions it said you can rough the surface of the lid with sandpaper to help the glue stick. If you don’t have a laminating machine you may be able to find clear contact paper. We used this at a preschool where I use to work.
Maybe even gluing a piece of bunched up white fabric down first then gluing the items to that would work.
I agree about possibly using plastic jars for a small child to play with. You would have to use ones that you can see through obviously. Definitely worth a try!
Hi. Using the photos is a great idea, thanks.
I’m wondering whether figures made of plasticine would go inside a snow globe. I know it’s waterproof, but not sure if they would stand the shaking. Has anyone tried it? Maybe if they were coated with varnish before glueing them down?
What type of glitter do u recommend? I tried some at michaels and it didn’t turn out good! ): email me at melindasue87@gmail.com thank u!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Looking for a craft my special needs students would really enjoy, and actually be excited to take home! THIS IS A WINNER!!!
I have wanted to make these since I saw this post last year! I decided this is the year I’m going to do it with my kids! I’m linking up to this project from my website. Thanks for sharing!
Great classroom craft!
We had made snow globes as an art project at school several years ago. We used a silicone sealant to glue the figures and seal the jar. The figures stayed put, eventually the jar did leak though. Love the idea of using photos! You’ve reinvented the snow globe and made it fun again! You’ve inspired me to make one! Thanks!
[...] if you want to figure out how to laminate your own pictures and put them in your globe. And I liked that this one had the cutest way of doing photos AND explained what glycerin was used for when you are not making snowglobes. But really, how hard can making a jar of water, [...]
Sorry if anyone has already commented on that. I just thought that the easiest way to hide lid labels without painting them would be adding a ribbon with a bow.
Thanks a million!! I am going to do this today and give it ro my sister and parents and grandparents!!
I am doing this craft right now. I was putting the finished product into the glittery water and everything fell of the jar cover. I am using a hot glue gun… Help please. This is a Christmas present for 5 people.
wow! what a great idea!! I take the kids school pictures every year, cut them to size, put them in a clear Christmas tree bulb with garland behind them to hold them in place, write the name and year on the back and hang them on my tree. The kids always look for their pictures and they can see how they have grown from year to year.
[...] globes?! They’re fun and magical…it’s like Disneyland in a jar. Last year, I saw this post on Our Best Bites on how to make a snow globe, and I immediately pinned it because it was such [...]
If you don’t have time to go out and have these laminated, just use packing tape (it’s wide and you may have to overlap)…cut around your photo, leave a bit of a border so water can’t seep in. Just watched a show about it today…and looked it up online and found this site! I’m going to try this tomorrow! Great idea!:)
THANK YOU for such great directions. I’m taking an entire snow globe “kit” with me when we visit the grandkids for Christmas. My kit includes a picture book called “The Snow Globe Family” (found on Amazon), jars, glitter, decorative elements, etc. And my crafty daughter is getting a laminator for a gift! Thanks again for helping me to get together what I think will be a memorable gift!
[...] out there, and here are three of our favorite ones: Creative Mama’s Gift Card Snow Globe, Our Best Bites’ Photograph Snow Globes, and Bakerella’s Coca-cola Cupcake Snow Globes. Enjoy, [...]
i am having a hard time with my glitter….for some reason when i added the baby oil it all globbed together and when i did just water it all floated to the top….what am i doing wrong? can you please send me a message on my facebook i’m under starlyn knappe
Hello,
SO cute.
I think I will make two for my neices kids..
but I think I will make them w/o water. just glue sparkels & super small snow flakes I have around the inside of the jar..
thanks SO much for the inspiration.
Just have to say how much I love this craft but mostly I love your description!! I think you could write computer instructions & I would enjoy it. If you ever write a book, please let me know
Great idea! I’m doing this with my entire kindergarten class this week :) I’ll probably skip the benzoic acid though and just call it a victory if I don’t send 20 kids home encrusted with broken glass.
sou portuguesa moro no Brasil á 49 anos e agradeço por você dividir seus conhecimentos obrigado… meu nome, é Lourdes.
So excited to make these……have been saving jars and almost have what I need for my entire class. Will take pictures on Monday, develop and laminate. Then we will make these to enjoy the rest of the year. I was thinking perhaps I would take them with the coat, hat, scarf and mittens on…what do you think??
thanks for the great idea.
I cant begin to thank you for this wonderful wonderful craft that you’ve shared with us.I’m planning to make one for my husband…he doesn’t know what I’m up to with the sandpaper and glue and all.Loved your ideas for stuff to fit inside the jar.I’m getting started on this right now!!
Hi I am only 9 and I was just looking for some craft ideas and BOOM your website popped up u have so many great ideas and I cant wait to try them all!!!
I LOVE this idea and will definitely try it!
Hi :) Can you tell me how you got the photo to stick to the lid? I mean, I know you used glue…but was the photo on some sort of base?
I just kind of made a mound of glue and pebbles and secured the photo in it to prop it up.
You can also buy real snowglobe “snow” at http://www.snowdomes.com
[...] Make your Own Snow globes [...]