Details

The Science Behind It

Making a snow globe is a fun way to explore science! Here’s what’s happening inside your jar:

• Buoyancy and Density When it isn’t moving, the glitter may stay at the bottom because it is denser than the water inside. Or maybe it floats if it is lighter. This demonstrates the concept of density—heavier objects tend to sink in water, while lighter ones float.

• Viscosity Glycerin thickens the water, slowing down the glitter or snow as it falls. This helps create the swirling effect. It’s a simple way to introduce the idea of viscosity, the thickness of liquids, and how it affects movement.

• Evaporation and Sealing When you seal the jar tightly, it prevents the water from evaporating over time. This shows how sealing containers can keep liquids inside and prevent them from disappearing.

• Force and Motion Shaking the jar demonstrates how force affects motion. The harder you shake, the faster the glitter moves. This helps explain the relationship between how much force you apply and how objects move.

Have a Chat

Here are some questions to ask as you make and shake your snow globe:

• How does it make you feel when you watch the glitter fall slowly? Is it calming? Does it feel magical?
• Do you notice a difference when you shake the globe hard versus gently? What happens to the snow when you do?
• What do you think the glitter reminds you of when it falls? A snowstorm? A gentle snowfall?
• What’s your favorite part of the snow globe? Is it the glitter, the little figures, or watching how it swirls?

Variations

Here are some easy variations you can try using common household items:

• Nature-Inspired Snow Globes Gather natural elements like tiny pinecones, leaves, or small twigs to create a woodland scene. Or maybe shake things up and use small stones or shells for a beachy vibe!

• Upcycled Items Repurpose old small toys, buttons, or even beads to create figures and decorations in the snow globe. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about reusing and repurposing everyday items.

• Colored Glitter Instead of plain glitter, try adding different colors, such as gold, silver, or even rainbow glitter. You could also add a few drops of food coloring to the water for a colorful twist.

• Textured Snow Experiment with different types of “snow” to see what looks best. Try using rice as a snow substitute to see how it floats and moves differently than glitter.