Adorable DIY Christmas Snow Globe for Your Little One

Create a magical DIY Christmas snow globe with simple materials and a personal touch. Perfect for gifts, décor, or fun holiday crafting!

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Ever since I created my first sensory bottle, I’ve been obsessed with these simple DIY projects that combine the magic of water, and glitter, and become a little sensory wonder for my little one.

So, naturally, I wanted to make a snow globe for my daughter Lily, and let me tell you—it turned out even cuter than I imagined!

In this post, I’ll guide you step by step on how you can create your own adorable snow globe.

It’s budget-friendly, super easy, and makes the perfect gift for grandparents, too! Ready to create some holiday magic? Let’s dive in!

You may also like this craft: DIY Snow Globe Ornaments: Sparkle, Snow, and Toddler Fun!

What You’ll Need for Your DIY Christmas Snow Globe

1. DIY snow globe (you can find them here)
2. Water (preferably distilled)
3. Confetti in snow-like colors (I used stars and snowflakes for that extra festive touch. Tiny glitter didn’t work for me—it kept sticking to the sides, so you might want to avoid that!)
4. Glycerin (about a teaspoon, but feel free to adjust as needed)
5. Mini Christmas trees from the dollar store or tiny toys/figurines your child loves—think Lego figures, little princesses, Santas, or even unicorns if that’s what makes them smile! My daughter loves unicorns, so of course, that’s what we used.
6. Glue gun (because nobody wants a leaky snow globe!)
7. Ribbon to decorate the lid

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Snow Globe

1. Fill the Jar with Water (But Don’t Add Everything Yet!)
   First, fill your jar with water to the level you want for your snow globe. This will help you see how much water you need before adding anything else. Then, carefully pour the water into a separate bowl or glass.
2. Test the Glycerin and Confetti Mix
   In the bowl or glass with your water, add about a teaspoon of glycerin and your chosen confetti or glitter. Now, here’s the important part—give it a good stir and watch how the confetti moves. If it sinks too quickly, you can add a little more glycerin. If it makes the water cloudy, try switching to different confetti (some glitter can make the water murky, and we don’t want that!).
3. Check Before Sealing
   Testing in a separate container helps you avoid the frustration of sealing your snow globe, only to realize something isn’t right. Once you’re happy with the way your confetti floats and the water looks clear, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
4. Attach Your Figurines
   Note: Make sure to glue your figurines to the raised section inside the lid if your snow globe has one! This helps display the decorations higher inside the globe. Unfortunately, the snow globes I bought didn’t have this, so I had to get creative by gluing my decorations onto the cap of another bottle and attaching that to the inside of the lid. It worked, but it’s a bit of extra work. To save yourself the hassle, I recommend choosing snow globes with a built-in raised section for easier assembly. Here you can find them. Also, make sure the glue is completely dry and that your figurines are securely attached before moving on!

5. Assemble the Snow Globe
   Now, when the glue is totally dry, pour your water-glycerin-confetti mix back into the jar. Screw the lid on tightly, making sure it’s completely sealed to avoid any leaks. You can use hot glue around the edges of the lid for extra security.
6. Decorate the Lid
   Once everything is sealed and dry, it’s time to decorate the lid! Wrap some festive ribbon around it, add a bow, or even paint it for a fun, personalized touch.
7. Enjoy the Snow Magic!
   Shake your snow globe and watch the confetti swirl beautifully around your chosen figurine. You’ve made a magical snow globe, and it’s ready for the holidays—or as a special handmade gift!

By testing everything first, you avoid the hassle of having to open and close the jar repeatedly, which can mess up the decorations on the lid. This way, everything stays neat and pretty!

Related: Christmas Sensory Bottle DIY: Simple, Fun, and Calming

FAQ: DIY Snow Globe

1. Can I use regular tap water in my snow globe?
Technically, yes! You can definitely use tap water, but if you want to avoid it looking cloudy over time, distilled water is a better option. It’s a small extra step that helps keep your snow globe crystal clear, so you can enjoy it for longer without any murky surprises!

2. What kind of glitter works best for a snow globe?
From my experience, avoid the super fine glitter—it tends to stick to the sides of the jar and doesn’t give you that nice “snowy” swirl effect. Confetti or slightly chunkier glitter works way better! I like using snowflake or star-shaped confetti. Just remember to test it in a cup first, so you don’t end up with cloudy water or glitter that sinks too fast.

3. How much glycerin do I need for my snow globe?
About a teaspoon is a good starting point, but it depends on how slow you want your glitter to fall. If the confetti or glitter sinks too quickly, just add a little more glycerin. It’s all about creating that magical slow snowfall effect!

4. Do I have to glue the figurines inside the snow globe?
Yes, definitely! You don’t want your unicorn or Christmas tree floating around the jar like they’re lost in a storm! Use a glue gun to firmly stick your figurines to the inside of the lid. Let the glue dry completely before sealing your jar to avoid any messes. Trust me, nobody wants a leaky snow globe.

5. What else can I put in a snow globe besides Christmas trees?
The possibilities are endless! You can use mini Santas, Lego figures, little princesses, or anything your child loves. My daughter is obsessed with unicorns, so of course, we used one in ours! Just make sure whatever you choose fits nicely inside the jar and is waterproof!

6. Can I make a snow globe without glycerin?
Yes, you can! The glycerin just slows down the glitter, so without it, your “snow” will fall faster. If you’re okay with that, feel free to skip it. But if you want that beautiful slow snowfall effect, a little glycerin makes a big difference.

7. How do I keep the snow globe from leaking?
A trusty glue gun is your best friend here! After you screw the lid on tightly, run a line of hot glue around the edge of the lid to seal it up. This keeps water from leaking out, even with all the shaking your little one will do!

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Let me know if you have any more questions! I love helping with these fun projects!

And there you have it! An easy, fun, and festive Christmas snow globe DIY that will add a little sparkle to the holiday season.

These make great handmade gifts, or you can keep them as part of your holiday décor. Either way, your little one will love shaking it and watching the “snow” swirl around their favorite toy.

Let me know in the comments if you tried this project! Merry crafting! 🎄

This post was about a DIY Christmas snow globe