This fun and easy Christmas craft makes perfect use of any glass jars with lids you have been saving. Baby food jars are perfect for little hands to transform into adorable snowman faces. Even if there is no snow on the ground, little ones can still experience the thrill of breathing life into this much-loved Christmas character.
Things you will need:
- Glass jars with lids
- Buttons
- Batting or cotton balls
- Tacky craft glue & a gluestick
- Double-sided velcro (optional)
- Googley eyes
- Pipe cleaners/ribbon
- Christmas cupcake cups
- Tiny pom-pom balls
- Glitter (optional)
- Hole punch and paper (optional)
Steps for Making a Glass Jar Snowman
- Prep your jars by cleaning and removing all labels. If there is stubborn glue or label residue on the jars, soaking them in warm soapy water for a couple of hours will ease the process. Dry thoroughly on the inside and out.
- Little ones can choose which jars they would like: tall or short, thin or wide. Next, they can fill their jars with batting or cotton balls. If using cotton balls, they can be pulled slightly apart for a more billowy look.
- Once the jars are full of the cotton, some glitter can be trickled in to give the snow a sparkly look.
- With a gluestick, they can apply glue to the inside of the cupcake cup and press it onto the lid. If you don't have Christmas cupcake cups, plain ones can be decorated with coloring or stickers.
- Next, they can choose which googley eyes/buttons/pop-poms they want for the facial features.
- Squeeze small amounts (as much as they need for the single item) of Tacky craft glue into a small container and have them spread it onto the backs of the chosen facial features.
- For younger children, it is best to have the adult glue the eyes and buttons onto the jar as they need to be held still while adhering to the glass. For heavier buttons and eyes, it helps to lay the jars on their backs so they are not fighting gravity while adhering fully.
- Another option, one better for younger children or kids who would want to be more involved, is to use double-sided velcro to adhere the facial features. Cut the velcro into pieces small enough to be hidden by the items they will be adhering. Have the children apply them to the jar where they want the features placed. After they add the other velcro side onto the backs of the facial features, they can be placed onto the jar.
- Pipe cleaners can be used as a finishing touch twisted around the top of the jar. A bow or ribbon would work just as well.
Children will love making a snowman family to replicate their own: small jars for baby siblings, tall ones for Mom and Dad. Attaching corresponding name tags to the snowpeople is a nice touch and can be made easily with some paper and a hole puncher. If your tag does not already have a hole, hole punch it in a corner and then thread it onto the ribbon or pipe cleaner before it is twisted around the jar top.
From choosing the facial features to stuffing the jars, this simple Christmas craft for kids is sure to please. Personalizing the jars with the names of family members makes a great 2011 Christmas decoration, especially bunched together on a shelf. They also make great gifts children can make themselves for friends and family.
Lara Smith - is a freelance writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English, History and Religious Studies.
