Kids’ Corner SHAKE UP MAGIC DIY holiday snow globes for creative kids.

Get ready to dive into the holiday spirit with a magical DIY snow globe! This craft is perfect for kids aged 8 to 14, combining creativity, a bit of science, and lots of festive fun.

Materials Needed:

• A clear, sealable jar (like a mason jar)

• Distilled water

• Glycerin (available at pharmacies)

• Glitter (preferably biodegradable)

• Waterproof craft glue or a hot glue gun (to be used with adult supervision)

• Small waterproof holiday-themed figurines or decorations

• Optional: White paint and a paintbrush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. PREPARE YOUR JAR

• Clean the jar thoroughly, ensuring it's dry inside.

• If desired, paint the jar lid with white paint to give a snowy effect. Let it dry completely.

2. ATTACH YOUR FIGURINES

• Using waterproof craft glue or a hot glue gun, attach your chosen figurines to the inside of the jar lid. Make sure they're securely fastened and small enough to fit inside the jar with the lid closed.

3. CREATE YOUR SNOW GLOBE LIQUID

• Fill the jar nearly to the top with distilled water.

• Add a teaspoon of glycerin. This helps the glitter float more slowly, making your snow globe more magical!

• Sprinkle in a pinch of glitter. Remember, a little goes a long way!

4. ASSEMBLE YOUR SNOW GLOBE

• Carefully screw the lid onto the jar, ensuring the figurines are inside and the lid is tight.

• Turn the jar over and give it a gentle shake. Watch the glitter swirl around your festive scene!

5. SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

• Make sure the lid is securely glued or tightened to prevent leaks.

• Keep your snow globe out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures.

Congratulations! You've created your very own holiday snow globe. It's not only a fun craft but a beautiful decoration to display or a heartfelt gift to give.

Educational Twist

This craft offers a fantastic opportunity to discuss the science of liquids and solids, the concept of density (why the glitter floats), and the properties of glycerin. It's a perfect blend of learning and festive fun!

By Sondra Barr

For James and Sasha Lewis, being a big kid is all in a day’s work. As the owners of Leisure Installs, they make fun happen for Valley families by installing and selling playsets and outdoor recreational equipment.

The husband and wife team consider themselves giant kids. With their colorful hair and boundless energy, it’s not uncommon to find them testing out their products in Leisure Installs’ giant showroom. From climbing the rock walls, to jumping on the trampolines, shooting baskets, zooming down slides, or swinging from the monkey bars, James and Sasha test out their products from a kid’s perspective with safety always top of mind.

“We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, so we can look at any playset and tell you the manufacturer, what its features are, the maintenance it’ll require, and if it’ll last,” says James.

Specializing in “You buy, we install,” their specialty is installation including the assembly, maintenance, and relocation of residential playsets, basketball goals, and trampolines, and many brands and models of do-it-yourself products including gazebos, pergolas, and sheds in Arizona. They also sell Backyard Adventures Playsets, Swing Kingdom Vinyl Playsets, AlleyOOP Trampolines, and Goalrilla & Silverback Basketball Goals from their large showroom. Recently, Leisure Installs added the nationwide sale of Backyard Discover playsets, gazebos, and pergolas, with more brands coming!

“What makes our business different is the education side of what we provide,” says James. He explains that Arizona yards can be incredibly dangerous for backyard play because most backyards have many hazards including travertine pavers, garden rocks, and cactus, combined with narrow lots and concrete walls.

“We’ll come out and look at your yard, whether we’re installing a playset you bought from us, or if you’re buying it from someone else and we’re installing it, to assess your space for safety concerns,” says Sasha. “I have a customer right now who only has a 14' x 14' space to put a playset. We’re working with one of our manufacturers that does custom sets to create the family one that’s going to safely fit in their small yard.”

“We used to say when our kids were little, ‘If we won’t let our kids play on it, we won’t let yours.’ Now I’m waiting for grandkids and it’s going to be the same thing,” she says, pointing out that boisterous play on swings, monkey bars, and other equipment should be at least 6 feet away from walls and other hazards.

Since starting Leisure Installs in 2014, James and Sasha have witnessed countless smiles from their installs. “Watching families stand at the window for waiting for the project to be completed so they can run out and play is one of the best parts of my job,” says James.

“Helping families pick the best playset and make the best recreational space in their yard so that they can spend quality time together is what our local company is all about,” says Sasha.

To learn more, call 602-935-9296 or visit leisureinstalls.com.

The content is sponsored by Leisure Installs.