Metro Parent / January 2012 / Make a Lego Minifigure Terrarium and Snow Globe Journal Craft for Winter

Make a Lego Minifigure Terrarium and Snow Globe Journal Craft for Winter

Help kids capture January the DIY way: With a LEGO Minifigure terrarium – or starting tracking those New Year adventures in a frosty-fun snow globe journal

When the snow starts to fall, it's time for families to huddle up – and get crafty! Try these two cool projects that are fun for parents and kids to create together.

LEGO Minifigure Terrarium

You're probably used to seeing these clear mini containers filled with tiny plants. But why not channel the southeast Michigan weather – and make one filled with flurries? Toss in a favorite LEGO Minifigure to add a wee ray of sunshine to even the most snow-socked day. Whip up your own non-melting terrarium in minutes.

Materials

• 1 jelly jar
• Kosher salt
• Craft paint or stickers
• Hot glue and glue gun
• 2 twigs
• 1 LEGO Minifigure
• Any extras you want to add (like rocks, glitter, etc.)

Instructions

1. Make sure your jar is clean – wash well with soapy water – and completely dry.
2. Paint a few stars or add stickers to the outside of the jar for a winter scene. Just a few will do.
3. Next, fill the jar with kosher salt – just less than half way. It's OK if it's uneven; it's supposed to look like snow mounds!
4. With the salt in place, place the twigs to the jar. Push them down into the salt so they don't wiggle too much. Add any extras you have.
5. Time for your Minifigure! If he (or she) has any extra accessories that might get lost, glue them in place. Push the figure into the salt. Pack down the salt around the Minifigure base if it's wobbly.
6. Screw on the jar's top.
7. You're all done. Now watch the snow fall inside your new, winter-ready terrarium.

Snow Globe Journals

It's a brand-new year. That means it's time for all the fresh ideas and wishes your kids can dream up! Where can they keep them? In their very own snow globe journal, of course.

Supplies

• 2 pieces of cardstock in two different colors
• Several pieces of white printer paper (depending on how big or small your want your journal to be)
• Hole puncher
• Pint glass
• 2 binder rings
• 1 sheet protector
• Snowflake confetti
• Glitter
• Tape
• Double-stick tape
• Craft paint or markers (optional)

Instructions

1. Pick up the color you want the cover of your notebook to be, and cut that piece of paper in half. Trace the top of a pint glass onto one (only one) of the sheets you just cut in half. Cut out the circle. This will be your front and back covers.
2. Repeat the process for the white printer paper – but without cutting a hole out. These will be your journal sheets.
3. Next, cut a 4" x 4" square out of the sheet protector. Tape off the bottom and two sides. Add some confetti and glitter  – but not too much, or it will be hard to shake around. Tape the top closed.
4. With the cover you made, position the confetti envelope on the back so it's visible through the circle. Tape down on all four sides. Cut out a piece of white paper that's just slightly bigger than the envelope and cover the back of it with double-stick tape. (This will help make it look like the snow globe is a winter wonderland from the front!)
5. Flip the cover over. Using the other piece of cardstock, cut a 3" x 3" rectangle and double-stick tape it to the bottom of the globe. This will be the base – and a place for you to add your name, if you like.
6. To finish the journal, place the cover pieces together and punch two holes several inches apart from one another. Using this as your guide, punch holes in the same places for your printer paper.
7. Sandwich everything together and fasten your binder rings. Your journal is ready for all sorts of doodling and wishes! Shake or tap the front to move the confetti around.
8. Make sure to personalize your journal, too: Decorate with stickers and markers.