Snow globes are very common Christmas decorations in homes around the world. They come in various shapes and sizes, from tiny ones for kids to larger versions suitable for adults. Snow globes are also great for parties because they are fun conversation starters.
How to thicken water for a snow globe without homemade glue? You can do it easily by adding distilled water to about 75% of your mason jar. Glycerin should then be added in 2-3 drops. Please don’t overdo it, or the glitter will be too goopy. Thicken the water so the glitter floats slower, but don’t make it too thick. Dig into learning about the steps.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- A jar for a snow globe
- The glitter is white and iridescent
- Glycerin
- You can decorate anything with a Christmas or winter theme, including LEGO
- Distilled water
- Hot glue gun
- Super Glue
- Green and red toy block tape
- Scissors
Follow The Steps
1. Remove any stickers from your snow globe jars and wash them with warm, soapy water to rid them of dust and residue. Make sure the jars are completely dry before moving on to the next step.
2. With the aid of a high-temperature glue gun, attach Christmas miniatures or LEGOs to the jar plug. A LEGO Advent Calendar, for example, was used.
3. Pour two tablespoons of liquid glue or glycerin into the jar and add one tablespoon of iridescent glitter.
4. One inch of headspace should be left in the remaining jar of distilled water. Your jars will stay mold-free if you use distilled water instead of tap water since it contains no contaminants.
5. Twist the cap over the plug and insert the plug into the globe. You may want to hot glue the cap to the jar if you have small children.
6. Last but not least, wrap a strip of toy block tape around the globe’s cap.
It took a little super glue to prevent our toy block tape from popping off the cap (sometimes plastic doesn’t adhere well to things). Wear gloves while applying super glue if you choose to do so. To help the tape adhere to the cap, scuff it with sandpaper if you do not wish to use super glue. Tada, Your show globe is ready.
| Method | Materials Needed | Steps | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | – Glycerin | 1. Empty the water from the snow globe. | – Clear, colorless appearance | 4. Test the consistency until the desired thickness. |
| – Water | 2. Fill the globe halfway with water. | – Non-toxic and safe | – Can be costly | |
| – Snow globe | 3. Add glycerin slowly to thicken the water. | – Slows down snowfall | – Can create air bubbles | |
| 4. Test the consistency until the desired thickness. | – Easy to find in craft stores | – May cloud over time | ||
| 5. Add decorative elements and seal the globe. | ||||
| Corn Syrup | – Corn syrup | 1. Empty the water from the snow globe. | – Available in most kitchens | – May attract ants if spilled |
| – Water | 2. Fill the globe halfway with water. | – Creates a slow, steady snowfall | – Can become cloudy over time | |
| – Snow globe | 3. Add corn syrup slowly to thicken the water. | – Inexpensive | ||
| 4. Test the consistency until desired thickness. | – Resistant to clouding | |||
| 5. Add decorative elements and seal the globe. | ||||
| Mineral Oil | – Mineral oil | 1. Empty the water from the snow globe. | – Creates a gentle snowfall | – Can be costly |
| – Water | 2. Fill the globe halfway with water. | – Clear, colorless appearance | – May require thorough cleaning | |
| – Snow globe | 3. Add mineral oil slowly to thicken the water. | – Non-toxic and safe | – Slower snowfall compared to others | |
| 4. Test the consistency until desired thickness. | – Resistant to clouding | |||
| 5. Add decorative elements and seal the globe. |
If You Want to Add Some Extra Fun, Then Here Are Some Crafting Ideas for You
Snow globes aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re great holiday party favors and a fun craft activity for kids. This one is a little different because it uses a jar rather than a bowl, but there are still plenty of ways to make your unique design. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
1. Use a stencil to cut out shapes into the jar’s lid. Then, use acrylic paints or markers to draw on the designs. Let dry completely before gluing down.
2. Paint or ink over the entire lid, allowing the paint or marker to dry completely. Once dry, glue down your favorite sticker or paper trimmer to add some flair to your project.
3. Glue down a piece of felt onto the lid of the jar and let dry. Cut out a circle shape to fit inside the jar. Use a whole punch to cut several holes around the edge of the felt circle. Now, fill each hole with colored beads or sequins. Tie a ribbon around the outside of the jar and hang it on the wall.
4. Create a snow globe with a glass jar and a clear plastic bag. Fill the jar with water and add glitter or sand. Place the plastic bag inside the jar and secure it with a rubber band. Leave the jar open overnight and watch the magic happen. When you wake up the next day, the water will have frozen and turned into beautiful ice crystals.
5. If you don’t want to buy a real snow globe, you can always print off some images online and place them on a sheet of construction paper. Draw a picture of what you’d like to see in your snow globe and cut it out. Please fold the paper over and hot glue it to the front of the jar.
6. Make a snow globe with a box instead of a jar. Take a cardboard box and cut off the bottom half of the box. Add a layer of packing peanuts inside the box and fill it with water. Freeze overnight. Remove the packing peanuts, and voila—a beautiful snow globe.
7. Go old school by using an empty egg carton as a mold. Cut out a window that fits perfectly on top of the carton and allow it to set. Fill with water and freeze overnight. Take the egg carton apart and enjoy your creation.
8. Make a snow globe out of a shoe box. Wrap newspaper around the box and cover the sides with duct tape. Allow to sit overnight, and then carefully tear away the newspaper once the water has frozen.
Here are a Few More Tips to Help You Out
- The LEGO pieces may need to be hot glued if they are fragile or appear to break easily. A small drop of hot glue was used to secure each piece of the candy cane pictured below.
- Glitter could be substituted with seed beads if you wish to avoid using glitter due to its environmental impact. There is the possibility of straining the seed beads from the globe and then using them to make jewelry and other crafts in the future.
- Use glass containers such as Mason jars because they won’t break easily and are easy to clean.
- Put the lid on loosely and shake the jar vigorously to mix everything.
- Fill the jar halfway full with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water to add color.
- After letting the mixture settle, carefully take off the lid and wipe away any excess moisture.
- Once everything is mixed, pour out the excess water and let it sit overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions[FAQs]
1. How Do I Clean A Jar Or Globe?
The easiest way to clean a glass jar is with a paper towel. If you’re using a glass jar, wipe it down with a paper towel and then rinse it out in the water. You don’t need anything special for this process; ensure your hands are dry before handling the glass jars.
2. Do Snow Globes Have A Liquid That Can Be Replaced?
Over the years, snow globes can lose water or become clouded with dust or algae, making them very collectible items. If there is a plug at the bottom of the snow globe, it can be relatively easily filled with water. It can easily be done in one hour if you have the right tools and a steady hand.
3. What Causes My Snow Globe To Have Glitter At The Top?
You can keep your tumbler moist by using a humidifier. In order to avoid breaking the ice and creating more moisture buildup in your snow globe, please don’t shake it or tap it too much.
4. Will Add Too Much Thickening Agent Make The Water Cloudy In My Snow Globe?
Yes, adding too much thickening agent, whether it’s glycerin, corn syrup, or hair gel, can make the water in your snow globe cloudy. It’s essential to add the thickening agent gradually and test the water’s clarity as you go to avoid over-thickening.
5. How Do I Prevent Air Bubbles From Forming When Thickening Water For A Snow Globe?
To prevent air bubbles, stir the thickening agent into the water slowly and gently. Additionally, letting the water sit for a while after mixing can help any bubbles rise to the surface. You can also tap the snow globe gently to release trapped air bubbles before sealing it.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article and that it has helped you get started on making your snow globe. We realize that there are many different ways to thicken water, but we believe the most effective way is using glycerin because it’s easy to obtain and won’t harm the environment.
