Crafting Holiday Magic at Home: DIY Sensory-Friendly Snow Globe Fun!
Winter is the perfect time for family creativity, and what better way to embrace the season than by crafting your very own sensory-friendly snow globe? This delightful activity not only sparks joy but is also inclusive for kids of all abilities. Let’s dive into creating this enchanting winter wonderland together!
Crafting these DIY sensory-friendly snow globes isn’t just about creating beautiful decorations; it’s a fantastic and cost-effective way to spend quality time at home with your children. The simplicity of the materials needed and the ease of putting it all together make this activity a delightful and budget-friendly choice for holiday crafting.
The best part? You can find the necessary materials conveniently on Amazon to kickstart your creative journey:
Materials Needed:
- Plastic jars with lids (clean and dry)
- Glitter (1–2 teaspoons per globe)
- Distilled water (tap works as well, but keep in mind, distilled will last longer)
- Plastic holiday figurines (e.g., sleighs, snowmen, christmas trees)
- Glycerin (optional; about 1–2 teaspoons for glitter to float)
- Plastic snowflakes (optional)
- Hot glue gun
- Paint and paintbrushes (optional)
Safety Reminder: Adult supervision is necessary throughout this activity. Take care to prevent choking hazards with small plastic pieces, avoid ingesting glitter or glycerin, and handle the hot glue gun responsibly.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Prepare Your Jar
If you wish to personalize your snow globe, paint the jar’s lid or decorate the outside with wintery colors. Let your creativity shine!
Parenting Tip: Encourage decision-making by letting your child choose the jar’s color for a personalized touch. Choice-making fosters independence and decision making skills.
Step 2: Select Your Figurine
Choose a wintery plastic figurine (a snowman, sleigh, or evergreen tree). With adult supervision, carefully glue the figurine inside the lid. Ensure it’s secure (about 5 minutes) before proceeding.
Parenting Tip: Use this step to teach patience by waiting for the glue to dry (use a visual timer if necessary). Practicing patience through activities promotes waiting skills. **If your child struggles with waiting or has not yet acclimated to using a timer, glue the figurine on the night before or at least 30 minutes before introducing the activity to your child. This will save you from a world of hurt and will make the activity go by smoothly!
Step 3: Create the Snowy Magic
Fill your jar with water, leaving some space at the top (about one inch to leave room for shaking!). Add 1 teaspoon of glycerin for that mesmerizing snowfall effect (keep adding if the glitter does not float. Now, sprinkle in about 1–2 teaspoons of glitter to your liking. The more glitter, the more sparkle!
Parenting Tip: Explore sensory experiences by letting your child feel different textures of the glitter (through the bag to minimize mess!). Sensory exploration supports sensory processing development.
Step 4: Seal the Enchantment
Carefully screw or glue the lid onto the jar. Ensuring a tight seal will prevent spills and keep the magic contained.
Parenting Tip: Use this moment to reinforce safety rules. Emphasize not touching hot glue guns and wait for an adult to handle them. Use visual timers and images if needed.
Step 5: Shake and Watch the Magic Unfold
Wait about 5–10 minutes for the glue to dry. Once it is dry, turn your snow globe upside down to rest on its lid. Give it a gentle shake, and watch the glitter dance and swirl, creating a snowy spectacle!
Parenting Tip: Encourage language development by describing the swirling glitter’s movement. Describing experiences promotes language skills.
Embrace the joy of crafting these sensory-friendly snow globes with your children in the comfort of your home. Share your creative process with us in the comments below and inspire others to join in on the fun!
