Spinning Snow Globe Craft for Kids (Free Printable)
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Snow globes are always a favorite during winter, and this spinning snow globe craft for kids adds a fun interactive twist. Instead of just decorating, kids can spin the snow inside the globe to create their own paper blizzard.
This craft uses free printable templates and simple supplies, making it an easy option for homeschool, classrooms, or a winter afternoon activity at home. It also introduces simple ideas about movement and cause and effect in a hands-on way.
Why This Snow Globe Craft Is So Engaging
- The snow actually spins to create a blizzard effect
- No glitter, water, or messy materials
- Uses simple, affordable supplies
- Encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving
- Kids can play with it after it’s finished
Supplies Needed
- Snow globe printables printed on cardstock
- Coloring tools (crayons, markers, or colored pencils)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Paper fastener (sometimes called a brad)
- Plain cardstock
- Pencil or another sharp tool for making holes (adult help recommended)
How to Make the Spinning Snow Globe Craft
Step 1: Color the Pieces
Have your child color the snowman and the base of the snow globe. The snow circle can be left as-is or lightly colored.
Step 2: Cut Out the Pieces
Carefully cut out the circle with the snowflakes as well as the snowman.
Step 3: Create the Spinner
Using a pencil or sharp tool, make a small hole in the center of the snow circle.
Make a matching hole in the center of a plain piece of cardstock.
Line the two pieces up and loosely attach them with a paper fastener. The snow circle should be able to spin freely.
Step 4: Assemble the Snow Globe
Place the spinning snow circle behind the snowman.
Glue only the base of the snow globe to the cardstock so the snowman stays loose in front of the spinning snow.
Do not glue the snowman down.
Step 5: Spin to Create a Blizzard
Once everything is dry, your child can spin the snow circle behind the snowman to create a swirling blizzard effect.
Learning Extensions
This craft is a great way to introduce movement and rotation in a hands-on way. As children spin the snow circle, encourage them to observe how the speed changes the way the snow appears to move behind the snowman.
Ask questions like:
- What happens when you spin the snow slowly?
- What changes when you spin it faster?
- Does the snow look like it’s floating, swirling, or racing around?
Connect this to real weather by talking about snowstorms and wind. In winter storms, snow doesn’t always fall straight down — wind can push it around, making the snow swirl and drift. Faster winds create more intense movement, just like when kids spin the snow globe faster makes the snow swirl more. A kid-friendly explanation of how snow and wind work together in winter storms can be found here.
Encourage kids to experiment with spinning at different speeds and describe what they notice. This builds observation skills, vocabulary, and an early understanding of cause and effect — all through play.
Books to Pair With This Craft
Reading a winter story before crafting helps set the scene and encourages imagination.
The Snowman — Raymond Briggs – A wordless picture book classic about a boy who builds a snowman that magically comes to life. As the two of them share an evening of snowy adventure, kids can use the pictures to tell the story in their own words. This book encourages imagination and makes a great before-craft read to spark excitement.
Snowballs — Lois Ehlert – Bright, bold artwork and simple text show kids how snowballs can become all kinds of shapes, animals, and objects. The fun visuals and creative snow shapes tie perfectly into your spinning snow globe activity and encourage children to think about snow in new ways.
Over and Under the Snow — Kate Messner – This beautifully illustrated book explores the hidden world beneath winter snow. As a child and parent hike through the snow, readers learn how animals stay warm, find food, and move under the snowy surface. This pairs wonderfully with talking about movement and the natural world — just like your craft’s focus on spinning motion.
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow — Shirley Neitzel – A rhythmic, repetitive story of a child getting dressed for a snowy day. Each layer of clothing helps keep the child warm, making this a great choice for early learners. It supports vocabulary building and connects to winter weather themes in a simple, cozy way.
Free Snow Globe Printable
This activity includes printable snow globe pieces, making it quick to prep and easy to repeat with groups.
Download the free printable here.
More Winter Crafts to Try
Keep the winter fun going with more easy, hands-on crafts kids will love. These activities build creativity and fine motor skills while making the most of the season.
