How to Make Snow Globes With Preschoolers
Making a snow globe with a group of preschoolers can be an enjoyable craft project when it is raining or too hot or cold to play outdoors. The children can put their favorite miniature action figure, doll or any other small plastic item into the snow globe and add tiny plastic trees to make a wonderful winter scene. The snow globes will make colorful decorations for their bedrooms or as gifts for their parents, grandparents or other loved ones.
Things You'll Need
- Small jars with lids (baby food jars work well)
- Florist clay
- Small plastic figurine
- Plastic greenery, such as miniature Christmas trees
- Silver or white glitter or fake snow
- Plastic spoon
- Hot glue gun
- Narrow ribbon (optional)
Instructions
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1
Instruct the preschoolers to place their small figurine onto the clean jar lid with florist clay. If the figurine is tiny, they may want to build a pedestal or small mountain with the clay for it to perch on so that it will be an acceptable height once inside the snow globe.
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2
Stick a small plastic tree or other greenery into the modeling clay at this point to create more scenery for your snow globe.
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3
Tell the children to screw the lid onto the jar to see how their scene looks and adjust it if necessary. Allow the florist clay to dry according to the package directions before proceeding with your snow globe.
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4
Fill the jar with cool water until it is ½ inch from the rim of the jar.
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5
Use a plastic spoon to sprinkle the glitter or fake snow into your jar. Use about a ½ tsp. for medium or large baby food jars.
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6
Use the hot glue gun to place a circle of glue inside the interior rim of the jar lid and quickly screw it onto the jar. This will create a seal that will prevent water leakage. Be careful not to spill any water while attaching the lid.
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7
Cut a narrow piece of ribbon to cover the outer rim of the jar lid.
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8
Dry off the jar lid if any water is on it.
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9
Place another line of hot glue around the outer rim of the jar lid, just to ensure it is watertight, and quickly stick the ribbon to the glue for a decoration. Allow the glue to dry and then you can shake your snow globe.
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Tips & Warnings
You can find florist clay at craft and hobby stores or florist centers. It is a strong adhesive that will not pop off when wet, which can happen with other types of glue.
Be careful when attaching the ribbon to the hot glue, you may want to use a tongue depressor, craft stick or toothpick to press it into the glue to secure it.
Adults will need to handle the hot glue gun when doing this craft project with the preschoolers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit snowman image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
