Few Christmas projects spark childhood wonder like snow globes. Watching glittery snow swirl around a tiny scene never fails to delight kids—and the good news is, they’re easy and fun to create at home. Whether you use jars, plastic cups, or paper, these 10 snow globe crafts will inspire hours of creativity. Perfect for classrooms, family weekends, or holiday gifts, they combine art, imagination, and sensory fun.

1. Classic Mason Jar Snow Globe

Best for: Beginners and family craft nights.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Mason jar with lid
  • Waterproof figurines or small toys (snowman, tree, reindeer)
  • Glycerin or baby oil
  • Distilled water
  • Glitter or fake snow
  • Hot glue or super glue

How to Make:

  1. Glue figurines to the inside of the jar lid using hot glue. Let dry completely.
  2. Fill the jar with water, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top.
  3. Add a few drops of glycerin or baby oil to slow the falling glitter.
  4. Sprinkle in glitter or plastic snow.
  5. Screw the lid tightly, ensuring no leaks, then flip it upside down.
  6. Shake and watch the snow swirl beautifully.

2. Plastic Cup Snow Globe

Best for: Classroom crafts and younger children.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic cups
  • Cardstock circles for the base
  • Mini toys or paper cutouts
  • Glue stick or hot glue (adult use)
  • Cotton balls and glitter

How to Make:

  1. Cut cardstock circles matching the cup’s rim as a base.
  2. Decorate the base with cotton for snow and glue small toys in the center.
  3. Add a sprinkle of glitter inside the cup.
  4. Glue the cup upside down onto the base to seal it.
  5. Kids can decorate the cup’s outside with stickers or names.

Variation: Use transparent dessert bowls instead of cups for bigger designs.

3. Recycled Bottle Cap Mini Globes

Best for: Eco-friendly, small-scale crafting.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Large plastic bottle caps
  • Clear plastic ornaments or small plastic cups
  • Mini decorations (tiny bells, confetti, buttons)
  • Glue
  • Water and glitter (optional)

How to Make:

  1. Fill half the cap with a little water and glitter (optional).
  2. Add a small toy or decoration glued to the base.
  3. Seal with a clear plastic dome or mini ornament half using glue.
  4. Decorate the edge with ribbon or paint.

4. Photo Snow Globe

Best for: Personalized gifts or classroom art.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Small jars or clear plastic globes
  • Laminated photo of each child
  • Glitter and water
  • Hot glue gun
  • Glycerin

How to Make:

  1. Print and laminate a small cutout of each child’s photo.
  2. Glue it onto the inside of the lid alongside tiny decorations like a tree or snowflakes.
  3. Fill the jar with water, glitter, and a few drops of glycerin.
  4. Attach the lid securely and turn it upside down.
  5. Admire your sparkling photo globe!

Tip: Kids love watching themselves “inside” a winter world—it makes a perfect classroom keepsake.

5. Glitter Water Bottle Snow Globe

Best for: Sensory bottles and toddlers.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Plastic water bottles
  • Glitter glue
  • Fine glitter
  • Warm water
  • Small waterproof charms

How to Make:

  1. Pour warm water into the bottle until it’s three-quarters full.
  2. Add a squirt of glitter glue and shake until dissolved.
  3. Add extra glitter and small floating charms.
  4. Seal tightly (add tape around the cap for safety).
  5. Shake gently and enjoy the calming snowfall effect.

6. Paper Plate Snow Globe Scenes

Best for: Artistic storytelling crafts for groups.

Things You’ll Need:

  • 2 clear plastic plates or one paper and one plastic plate
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors and markers
  • Fake snow or cotton
  • Glue or tape

How to Make:

  1. Cut out background scenes from paper—houses, trees, snowmen.
  2. Glue them to the paper plate face.
  3. Add some fake snow or cotton balls.
  4. Tape a clear plastic plate on top to create a dome.
  5. Kids can write their names or messages around the edge.

7. Upside-Down Jar Lid Snow Globes

Best for: Table decorations or classroom centers.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Jar lids (any size)
  • Cotton balls, small toys, sequins
  • Transparent plastic domes
  • Hot glue

How to Make:

  1. Fill the lid with cotton, glitter, and small decorative pieces.
  2. Glue a transparent plastic dome or half ornament over it.
  3. Add ribbon around the edge and name tags for each child.

Variation: Use lids from baby food jars or spice jars for miniature versions.

8. Snow Globe Christmas Cards

Best for: Crafty gifts and classroom art projects.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Cardstock or folded cards
  • Clear plastic pouches (recycled packaging works)
  • Paper cutouts, glitter, sequins
  • Glue or double-sided tape

How to Make:

  1. Create a winter scene on the front of each card using paper cutouts.
  2. Fill a plastic pouch with glitter or confetti and seal it to the front of the card.
  3. Cut the card in a rounded shape to resemble a snow globe.
  4. Kids can personalize their cards with messages or stickers.

9. Clay and Plastic Ornament Snow Globes

Best for: Keepsake-level projects for slightly older kids.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic ornaments that can open in half
  • Modeling clay or air-dry clay
  • Paints and small decorations
  • Glitter and water (optional)

How to Make:

  1. Sculpt tiny scenes in clay such as snowmen or trees and let them dry.
  2. Paint and decorate your clay figurines.
  3. Place them inside one ornament half, sprinkle glitter, then close the globe.
  4. Kids can hang them or use as decoration on desk stands.

10. Glitter Dome Jar Globes (No Water)

Best for: Mess-free, long-lasting crafts.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Small jars or plastic containers
  • Cotton balls or fake snow
  • Glue gun
  • Glitter, sequins, mini trees, or animals

How to Make:

  1. Glue cotton inside the jar to serve as a soft base.
  2. Add glitter, mini trees, and decorations creatively on top.
  3. Seal with glue and let kids shake gently to make sparkles float (dry snow effect).
  4. Great for classrooms or when you want a spill-proof craft.

Extra Tips for Parents and Teachers

  • Sealing: Always ensure the edges or lids are sealed tight to prevent spills, especially for water-filled globes. Hot glue or silicone sealant works well.
  • Non-Toxic Materials: Use non-toxic glitter and glue safe for kids. Avoid glass jars for younger children—plastic containers make safer alternatives.
  • Creativity Boost: Encourage kids to design their own winter scenes—maybe adding penguins, polar bears, or even their favorite cartoon characters.

How to Clean and Store Homemade Snow Globes

  • Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.
  • Store upright and avoid freezing temperatures, which can expand water inside.
  • Clean gently with a soft cloth; never submerge electronic or sealed snow globes.

Holiday Display and Gift Presentation Ideas

  1. Winter Wonderland Shelf: Group several snow globes together for a magical indoor snowstorm effect.
  2. Gifting Touch: Wrap each snow globe in transparent cellophane tied with ribbon—kids can even add gift tags or notes.
  3. Party Favours: Mini versions make lovely handouts for classmates or guests at Christmas parties.
  4. Personal Touch: Label each globe with the year and child’s name as a keepsake.

Image Prompt: collection of colorful handmade snow globes of all sizes displayed on a snowy white table, surrounded by fairy lights and painted ornaments.

Creative Theme Ideas for Kids’ Snow Globes

  • North Pole Scene: Santa, reindeer, and elves delivering gifts.
  • Winter Forest: Pine trees, deer, and sparkly snowflakes.
  • Gingerbread Village: Houses made from craft foam and beads.
  • Under the Sea: Blue glitter instead of white for an oceanic spin.
  • Magical Fairy Garden: Mini fairies, mushrooms, and flower petals.

Each theme lets children express their own imagination and turn a simple globe into a tiny world filled with magic.

Why Kids Love Snow Globe Crafts

Snow globes combine movement, color, and tactile fun. While crafting, children practice fine motor skills, learn design basics, and enjoy a sensory experience. Beyond being simple decorations, they also serve as learning activities—exploring liquids, density, and how glitter “snow” falls slower when glycerin is added. Best of all, snow globes bring a sense of peace, calm, and wonder to any space.