Handmade snow globe ideas: simple yet cute crafts
A snow globe with fluffy, drifting white flakes is soothing to watch all by itself.
They’re sold at many tourist spots, so plenty of people collect them, right?
They’re also a popular choice for kids’ summer break projects.
In this article, we’ll share ideas for making your own handmade snow globes.
You might think, “Isn’t that hard?” but there are dedicated kits available, and there are even ideas you can make in about 30 minutes using only materials from a 100-yen shop.
Use your favorite items to create your very own original snow globe!
Handmade snow globe ideas: simple yet cute crafts (1–10)
Snow globe made with plastic sheets
This is an easy-to-make snow globe that uses a slotted-in plastic sheet with a drawing.
Cut a sponge to match the size of the inside of the jar lid and glue it in place.
Make a slit in the sponge, pour in some glue, and insert a plastic sheet with drawings of Santa Claus or a snowman.
For the sparkly liquid, mix water and liquid glue in a 7:3 ratio and add glitter—that’s it! Finally, carefully attach the lid with the plastic sheet so the contents don’t spill, and you’re done.
The steps are simple, so try making it together with your child!
Snow globe made from a plastic bottle
A sparkling snow globe that’s easy to make with a plastic bottle.
Put glittery items like marbles and beads of different sizes, along with cool-pack gel, into a plastic bottle.
Pour in water or purified water and mix well to dissolve the gel.
Add a stick tray colored with a water-based marker and stir—then the water inside will change to your favorite color! Tighten the cap firmly and secure it with vinyl tape, and your handmade snow globe is complete.
For an even more dazzling finish, add glitter or decorate the outside with stickers.
A snow globe made with candy toys
When you try to get your favorite item from a capsule toy machine, you often have to keep trying and end up with duplicates, right? In those cases, try turning them into a snow globe! Make a base to stand the toy on using resin, fix the toy in place, and put it inside a jar.
To keep it from moving, pour resin into the bottom of the jar and cure it, then pour in herbarium oil and add glitter if you like—and you’re done! If you add too much glitter, it’ll make the toy hard to see, so adjust the amount so it moves around just enough to sparkle nicely.
Gacha-style snow globe
Let’s make a playful, slightly unconventional gacha-style snow globe! Place small Santa Claus or snowman figurines inside a round-shaped jar and secure them with a hot glue gun.
Pour in water and liquid glue at an 8:2 ratio, add a few types of glitter, and you’ve completed the clear “capsule” portion.
Next, attach a drawer pull to an upside-down flowerpot to create the base, then glue the jar onto the base with the hot glue gun—and you’re done! If you’re making this with children, be sure to supervise the use of the hot glue gun and carefully measure the liquids.
A snow globe that makes babies happy
If you have a baby at home, how about making a snow globe that your little one will enjoy? If you want them to hold it and play with it, the trick is to use a slightly elongated container.
Since something too heavy is hard to hold for long, a slightly smaller one is better.
For a girl, make and add glitter shapes like flowers or hearts; for a boy, cars or fish.
Be sure to seal the lid of the container completely to prevent any accidents! Babies love things that move, so it might also be nice to make a larger snow globe and place it near the baby.
Remake a Starbucks tumbler into a snow-globe style design
Have you ever seen art that uses paper bags and logos from McDonald’s or KFC? People upcycle things we usually throw away—like paper cups and flyers—to create wonderful art.
So why not try making a snow globe using a beloved Starbucks tumbler? Since the Starbucks logo stays visible, it turns out so nicely that you might think, “Wait, is this an actual product they sell?” There’s a step that involves using a power drill, so please be very careful to avoid injury.
By the way, Starbucks is the largest coffee chain in the world!
A soothing snow globe made with resin
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop! This is a romantic snow globe wrapped in a magical glow.
Put some glue on the paper gasket attached to the back of the plastic container’s lid, and decorate it with small twigs and other items to recreate the look of freshly fallen snow.
Pour blue-tinted resin into the center, and stand a mini tree in the snowy area to complete the inner parts.
Set them inside the container, then pour in a liquid mixture of water, clear school glue, and glitter, and close the lid tightly.
Attach decorative lights on top of the lid, and decorate the surroundings with crushed glass and other accents to complete a beautiful objet d’art!
Snowman & Reindeer Snow Globe
Your favorite figurine transforms into a fabulous snow globe! Prepare a jar like the kind used for storing jam.
Cut a sponge into a circle to match the size of the lid and glue it to the underside of the lid.
Attach your choice of objects—such as a snowman or reindeer—on top of the sponge.
While the glue dries, fill the jar with a liquid made by mixing water and laundry starch (or liquid fabric glue) in a 7:3 ratio, and add glitter.
Finally, screw the lid with the attached objects onto the jar filled with the liquid, and you’ll have a lovely snow globe that evokes a Christmas scene with swirling snow.
Biotope-style snow globe
A biotope is a place where living creatures can exist in their natural state.
Let’s make a snow globe that expresses such a place where creatures live freely! Since biotopes are often made with water bowls, it’s recommended to choose a similarly shaped container—something small, about palm-sized, that you can keep indoors.
Try adding clear film with fish stickers inside, colored sand, and other elements to create an underwater feel.
If you include beads or glitter, it will sparkle beautifully! Finally, pour in herbarium oil or a similar liquid and seal the lid to finish.
Snow globe kit
The basic materials for making a snow globe are purified water, liquid laundry starch or glue, sparkly bits, and things like holographic or cellophane tape.
Of course, you’ll also need a plastic or glass container to serve as the base.
If you’re thinking, “It sounds like a hassle to gather all that…,” don’t worry—there are actually all-in-one “DIY snow globe kits” available.
As summer vacation for elementary school students approaches, you can sometimes find them at big-box stores and, more recently, even at bookstores.
Using one of those as a base, why not add your favorite mini figures and make your own original snow globe? You’re sure to have a great time!