Things You'll Need
Glass jar
Decorative figure
Hot glue gun
Rubbing alcohol
Glycerin
Water
Canola or vegetable oil
Glitter
Plastic confetti
Density snow globes are typically seen during the Christmas season, but they can be made to be used year round. You can easily make your own snow globe with just a few items that can be found around your house or easily purchased at a crafts store. Plastic confetti make the perfect "snow," and come in all shapes and designs. Children of all ages will have a blast making and playing with their own snow globe. Be sure to have plenty of snow, which could be plastic confetti or glitter depending on which liquid medium you use.
Water Snow Globes
Step 1
Clean and dry the jar or globe you are using.
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Step 2
Glue the decorative figure to the bottom of the jar lid with the hot glue gun and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Fill the jar with water about 3/4 of the way. Water makes the "snow" fall very quickly.
Step 4
Add the glitter to the jar. Stir it around to see if you have as much snow as you wish inside.
Step 5
Screw the lid back on the jar, with the figure inside the water.
Step 6
Add the hot glue to where the lid and the jar meet to seal the edge tightly. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before turning the jar upside down.
Oil Snow Globe
Step 1
Clean and dry the jar or globe you are using.
Step 2
Glue the decorative figure to the bottom of the jar lid with the hot glue gun and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Add about a tablespoon of plastic confetti into the jar.
Step 4
Pour canola or vegetable oil into the jar, leaving enough room so it doesn't overflow when you add the figure. Oil allows the snow to fall at a slower rate, since it is thicker than water. Canola or vegetable oil should be used because it is edible. Do not use mineral oil or body oil, which can be toxic if swallowed.
Step 5
Screw the lid tightly on the jar with the figure inside the oil.
Step 6
Add the hot glue to where the lid and the jar meet to seal the edge tightly. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before turning the jar upside down.
Alcohol Snow Globe
Step 1
Clean and dry the jar or globe you are using.
Step 2
Glue the decorative figure to the bottom of the jar lid with the hot glue gun and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Pour a gallon of distilled water—minus 12 oz.—into a separate container.
Step 4
Add in 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 6 oz. of glycerin to the water and mix well. The glycerin helps the snow fall more slowly. The alcohol helps keep the snow globe clear over time.
Step 5
Pour the mixture into the jar and leave enough room at the top so the mixture doesn't overflow when you add the figure and snow.
Step 6
Add glitter to the mixture. Experiment with different colors.
Step 7
Screw the lid onto the jar, with the figure inside.
Step 8
Add the hot glue to where the lid and the jar meet to seal the edge tightly. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before turning the jar upside down.
Tip
Experiment with different sizes of jars and figures. If your jar is large enough, you can create an entire scene inside.
Warning
Do not use glitter with the oil, as it is too thick for the glitter to fall. It will just swirl and float in the oil.
Do not use paper confetti in snow globes. It will just get soggy and mushy.
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