How to make a Snow Globe

How do you make your own snow globe? Here it is!



http://crafts.kaboose.com/snglobe.html

What you'll need:

• Baby food jars (medium or large) or any other type of jar with a lid
• Florist clay (can be found at any craft supply store)
• Small figurine (see “Choosing your figurine” under “Helpful Hints”)
• White and/or silver glitter or fake snow
• Hot glue gun or aquarium sealing glue (hot glue is less expensive)
• Ribbon or felt (optional)
• Garland plastic greenery (see “Getting your greenery” under “Helpful hints”)

How to make it:

1. Wash and dry your jar completely, including the lid.
2. Attach figurine to inside of jar lid using florist clay. If you are using a small object, it's a good idea to build up the clay so the object will appear taller. To preview, simply place empty jar over the top of your figurine to see if you have the height where you want it. Attach any optional items with the clay (greenery, berries, etc.). Important: Use your imagination, but make sure whatever you use is waterproof and won't dissolve.
3. Fill jar with water to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top. Use cold water, warm water tends to cloud. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of glitter, or “ snow” into water. This measurement is based on a medium to large baby food jar. Adjust glitter amount according to your size jar.
4. Using hot glue gun, line inside of lid with glue. Insert figurine in water and screw on lid.
5. Dab lid dry if any water dripped or spilled. Apply a layer of hot glue around the rim of the lid to seal shut.
6. Let stand and dry overnight -- lid side up.
7. Decorating the lid rim is optional, and there are several ways to do it. Attach decorative ribbon with glue, use plastic holly berries for a holiday feel, or use colored felt as we have. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Use white or craft glue to run a squiggly line around the felt then sprinkle with glitter and let dry. Glue on buttons, use stickers, or personalize your globe by writing your name in glue and sprinkling with glitter. You may also paint the lid rather than use ribbon or other embellishments. The possibilities are endless so have fun!

Tips:

Keep your globe secure. Make sure the objects are secure in the clay, you could even glue them for added security.
Choose your figurine wisely. Choose a figurine made of a material that will not dissolve or deteriorate in water over time. Cake toppers, small ornaments with the hanger removed, miniature toys and dolls are all possibilities.
Easy-to-find greenery. You will only need small pieces so look for stems in the floral department that are on sale or inexpensive. You can also trim pieces from silk and plastic greenery, or you can even fashion your own small trees out of chenille stems. Another option is to use tiny plastic pine trees found in toy train and car sets.
Glitter tips. Before gluing or sealing the lid, make sure you have sufficient amount of glitter. Depending on the size of the jar, you may need more or less. Be careful! Too much glitter will completely obscure your figurine.
Add color and pizzazz. To make a more elaborate snow globe, add tiny objects to “ float” in the water, use a drop of colored oil to create a swirling effect or use food coloring in the water. Or, instead of using just white or just silver glitter, mix the two colored glitters. Silver tends to fall faster, the white floats more. Putting them together creates a fun effect. These are just some ideas to help you create your one-of-a-kind snow globe. Use your imagination and have fun.
Choose a theme . Make your snow globe for any occasion or theme such as Halloween, birthday, sports, holiday, Victorian and beach (seashells). You can also make two and give one away as a gift.

CHECK OUT THIS STORY TO GO ALONG WITH THIS SNOW GLOBE PROJECT!
MY CHILDREN THOUGHT IT WAS SO NEAT...

Snowflakes

Here are a few different ways I found to make snowflakes. The coffee filters turn out so pretty.  The marshmallow snowflakes would keep my kids busy for hours!  have fun...

Colorful Coffee Filter Snowflakes

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_66.shtml#Snowflakes
Materials (coffee filters, markers, newspaper, scissors)

• Round coffee filters are easiest for the younger children.  Any shape works with older kids. 
• Color with markers.  Any shapes, any design, any amount.  
• Plan to experiment with the first ones until the children can see how they turn out. 
• When finished coloring, move the snowflakes onto newspaper and spray with water. The children can flick drops of water on them,  ring a wet wash cloth over them, anything to get water onto the colored filters.  
• They dry fast and are very sturdy-they don't fall apart. 

• Fold at least three times, and then cut out shapes for the snowflake.

Marshmallow Snowflake

Materials

toothpicks
marshmallows

Directions

1. Put a toothpick in the center of a marshmallow.
2. Put a second marshmallow on the opposite end.
3. Keep adding toothpicks and marshmallows.  Build your own snowflake in any pattern you want.

http://www.norcalblogs.com/watts/2007/01/

Make a Paper Snowflake or a Snowflake Card
BELOW IS A GREAT LINK ON HOW TO MAKE A SNOWFLAKE.  EASY TO UNDERSTAND...
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/snowflake/

How to make pancakes in fun shapes for kids

Marshmallows...Marshmallows...

My children are OBSESSED with marshmallows!  I searched the web to find simple, easy crafts using them.  I put some out for the craft and "a little extra" for them to eat...

 

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/snow/art.htm

Marshmallow snowman

What You Need:

• Marshmallows
• Paper

What You Do:

• Give your children a piece of paper with a snowman outlined on it. Have them lick marshmallows and then press them onto the paper to make a snowman, the marshmallows actually stick very well

Contact Paper Snowman

What You Need:

• Contact Paper
• Cotton or marshmallows
• Pom-poms or chocolate chips

What You Do:

• Give your children contact paper cut out as a snowman. Let them put cotton and other pom-poms and anything else they want to in order to make a unique special snowman.

http://www.pepperspollywogs.com/blog/index.php/marshmallow-crafts-and-ideas/

1. Make a Marshmallow Star.  Push six miniature marshmallows onto one toothpick, leaving one pointed end sticking out. Do the same for five others, so that there are six altogether. Push the pointed ends of these toothpicks into a large marshmallow to form a star. 
2. Make a batch of Apple Smiles. Spread peanut butter onto one side of an apple wedge. Using miniature marshmallows, position the “teeth” in place onto one of the apple wedges. Top with other apple wedge so that the peanut butter acts as a cement for the marshmallow dentures.

Strawberry Marshmallow Creme Pizza
http://www.grouprecipes.com/11940/strawberry-marshmallow-creme-pizza.html
Ingredients

---

• I tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough (or your own favorite recipe)
• 8 ounce package cream cheese
• 7 ounce jar marshmallow crème
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced 
• 1 can pineapple chunks, drained and patted dry 
• 2 bananas, sliced (sprinkle with a little fruit Fresh to keep them from turning brown)
• Homemade glaze:
• 1 cup orange juice
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour

How to make it

---

• Slice the tube of cookies into ¼” slices and lay them, sides touching, on a round pizza pan, (you can use any shape pan, just make sure to cover the bottom with cookie dough slices).
• Pat the cookies together once they are all in the pan, pressing so that there are no open spaces in the bottom of the pan.
• Bake cookie crust just until it barely begins to brown on the edges, being sure not to over-bake it – just slightly under-baked is best and will make the pizza easier to cut.
• Cool baked cookie crust completely.
• Mix together softened cream cheese and marshmallow crème and spread over the cookie crust.
• Layer fruits over the top of cream cheese layer.
• Gently spread cooled glaze over the fruit layer.
• Cover with plastic wrap or foil and chill completely.
• Slice into wedges or squares to serve.
• To make the glaze, stir the sugar and flour together in a small saucepan.
• Whisk in orange juice, water and lemon juice.
• Bring glaze to a boil, stirring often with a wire whisk.
• Remove pan from heat and cool glaze completely before spreading over the fruit layer. This recipe usually will cover TWO pizzas.
• NOTE: You can use a 16 ounce package of pre-made strawberry pie glaze, if you need to conserve time. I do prefer the homemade glaze, but sometimes saving minutes is necessary!