Winter doesn’t always evoke thoughts of learning how to make a terrarium but why shouldn’t it? For the record, I’m pretty obsessed with terrariums, dioramas, mini villages, train sets etc. Today I’m sharing a fun little holiday DIY project: Mini Winter Terrariums. Technically speaking I believe a terrarium should have something actually growing in it, so these can’t quite qualify, but I think they are pretty fun to make and look at!
Over the past few weeks I have been collecting jars in preparation for this post, looking for the perfect container for my terrarium. I was even planning on going out and purchasing one, and then it dawned on me, why not create a collection of terrariums in different sized jars? I love re-purposing used items so it was perfect!  If you are wondering where to get the animals, mine are from the here are the ones I used.Â
Note: This post contains affiliate links to products.
Mini Winter Terrariums
Materials
- An assortment of clean glass jars lids optional
- Salt
- Pebbles
- Moss
- Mini Animal Figures
- Cardboard
- Hot glue
- Spray paint and primer, optional if you want to paint the lids
Instructions
My kids didn’t follow these instructions at all! They just wanted to pour salt into jars and stick figures in them. This is a pretty straightforward project so that method works! However if you want a little more long lasting and controllable results here are the steps to take:
- Step One Select your jar, figure, and accoutrements.
- Step Two Depending on the height of the jar you may either hot glue everything to the bottom of the glass jar or glue everything to a piece of cardboard to build up some height. I used some cardboard packing shapes as the bases, then glued that to the bottom of the jar
- Step Three Add your salt. Be careful not to pour it over anything it will get stuck in, like the moss. Depending on how snowy you want it to look you can adjust the salt height by slowly adding more or pouring a little out.
You’re done! Make a few more for a little menagerie.
That was easy, right?
Making mini terrariums is a great project for the kiddos. Terrariums always spark young imaginations!
Variations:
- Add Lids Spray the lids with primer and then a coat of a colorful paint. I added lids only to end up removing them so more light could enter the jar.
- Snow Globe Instead of gluing things to the bottom of the jar, glue everything to the underside of the lid, fill the jar with salt, secure the lids on the jar, then turn upside down for a completely contained environment.
I’m using these as a Christmas day centerpiece on our dining room table.
More
If you loved learning how to make a terrarium another fun nature themed project is a DIY Chia Pet! If you are looking for other holiday activities check out our Tin Can Christmas Tree Activity!
Looking for cool art and design toy ideas for your kids this year? Check out our gift guide: Art 12 Days of Art & Design Toys for Kids!
Absolutely adorable! Love it!!! Thanks for linking up!
Thanks Diana!
These are so cute. I have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this with everyone. It runs from Wednesday through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/12/5-fun-posts-and-wednesdays-adorned-from.html
Debi @ Adorned From Above
Marci @ Stone Mountain Cottage
Thanks for sharing your link party info; I shared my project! There are some wonderful projects at the party!
Great idea!
Thanks for stopping by!
SOOOOO CUTE Ana!!! LOVE your version of the snow globes!! They are sooo fun!!!!!
Thanks Christine, I loved seeing your version as well! It’s nice to see a variety of approaches to a fun little project!
It looks like you all had a fun time making these… Nice visiting. Following, too. Linda
Thanks Linda; it was a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, wow! These are wonderful! Thank you for sharing them at Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Blog Hop! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks Marci! Glad you liked the project!
Bonjour,
Hope you don’t mind me asking but what did you use for the white stuff. Is it sand? And where did you get it?
Let me know. Thanks. Have a good day!
Hi Catherine,
The white stuff is nothing more than table salt 🙂
Glad you stopped in for a visit!
Ana
I am so doing this, this weekend! Love it 🙂 I am sure Aarya would absolutely be thrilled with all the Salt 🙂
Hi Ana! I love this idea. I was hoping to be able to borrow this idea for our blog. We will of course link to your blog! Have you ever drilled holes for holiday lights in the lids? They look adorable lit up at night. Thanks bunches! -Beth
Hi Beth, Lights would be a great idea! You are always welcome to do your own version of the project on your blog. If you decide to follow our exact method I’d appreciate it if you would direct folks to our site for the complete tutorial. Thanks!!