DIY: Snowy Christmas Cup | Tinkerer Box Blog

DIYs » Stem Activities » Marvelous Mechanics Motion » Age 9 - 12 » Snowy Christmas Cup

Snowy Christmas Cup

Stem Activities

Ages: 9-12

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Let's create a fun snow globe cup for Christmas Eve!

Materials Needed

White card paper
Brown card paper
Plastic cup
Hot glue gun
Foam balls
Double-sided tape
Marker pens
Pencil
Scissors
Straw
Ruler

An assortment of craft supplies lies arranged on a light wood grain table. The items include a sheet of brown cardboard, a clear plastic cup, a small bag of colorful beads or sprinkles, a roll of clear tape, a yellow hot glue gun, a set of white markers, a pencil, black scissors, an orange stick or dowel, and a clear plastic ruler. This flat lay suggests the materials needed for a DIY or craft project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Measure and record the dimensions of the plastic cup.

A hand holds a clear plastic cup against a light wood grain background. A clear plastic ruler is placed vertically alongside the cup, seemingly measuring its height. The markings on the ruler are visible, indicating centimeters. This image suggests measuring for a craft or other practical project.

Step 2

Using markers, draw your favourite character on white paper. Draw a 1.5cm x 2cm rectangle at the bottom of the character as shown. Make sure the character is smaller than the cup's dimensions so it fits inside.

On a light wood grain table, a piece of white paper displays simple drawings of a Christmas tree, a snowman, and Santa Claus. Each drawing has a small, rectangular base. A hand holding a white marker is coloring Santa's bag red. Three white markers with orange, green, and yellow caps lie near the top left corner of the paper. This image depicts a crafting or coloring activity with a Christmas theme.

Step 3

Cut out the character along the edges using scissors.

Two hands are engaged in a crafting activity on a light wood grain table. One hand holds a piece of white paper with colored drawings of a Christmas tree, a snowman, and Santa Claus. The other hand holds black scissors and is in the process of cutting out the Santa Claus figure. This image suggests creating Christmas-themed cutouts.

Step 4

Fold back the 1.5cm x 2cm rectangle at the bottom of the character.

Two hands manipulate small paper cutouts of Christmas figures on a light wooden table. A completed cutout of a Christmas tree and a snowman are visible in the background. The hands are folding the rectangular base of a Santa Claus cutout. This image captures a step in a Christmas craft project, likely creating finger puppets or similar decorations.

Step 5

Trace the cup's rim outline onto the brown card paper using a pencil.

Two hands are shown on a light-colored wooden table working with a clear plastic cup and a piece of brown construction paper. One hand holds the cup upside down on the paper, while the other hand uses a pencil to trace a circle around the cup's rim. This suggests the beginning of a crafting activity where the traced circle will be cut out and used for a project.

Step 6

Carefully cut out the traced circle.

A hand holds a piece of brown cardboard with a pencil-drawn circle on it, positioned on a light wood-grain table. Black scissors are starting to cut along the line of the circle. This image indicates a crafting step where a circular shape is being cut out of the cardboard.

Step 7

Apply double-sided tape to the folded 1.5cm x 2cm rectangle at the character's base.

On a light wood-grain surface, two hands are preparing Christmas-themed paper cutouts. A decorated Christmas tree and a snowman are visible in the background, each with double-sided adhesive squares attached. The hands are currently peeling the backing off an adhesive square attached to a Santa Claus cutout, indicating the figures are about to be affixed to a surface as decorations.

Step 8

Take the brown paper circle and attach the character's rectangle portion to it - this will be the cup's base.

Two hands are assembling a Christmas decoration on a light wood-grain table. They are placing a cutout of Santa Claus next to a Christmas tree and a snowman. All three figures are attached to a circular piece of brown cardboard. The arrangement suggests the creation of a festive holiday ornament or card.

Step 9

Next, make a small hole in the side of the plastic cup, 1.5cm from the rim.

A hand holds a clear plastic cup on a light wood-grain table. Another hand uses black scissors to make a small cut in the bottom rim of the cup. This suggests the start of a crafting project involving repurposing the plastic cup.

Step 10

Make another small hole in the bottom of the cup.

A pair of hands is working with a clear plastic cup on a light wood-grain table. One hand holds the cup upside down while the other hand uses black scissors to make a small cut in the center of the cup's bottom. This action suggests the preparation of the cup for a craft or DIY project.

Step 11

Place the foam balls into the plastic cup.

Two hands are shown above a light wood-grain table. One hand holds a clear plastic container partially filled with small, pastel-colored beads. The other hand holds a clear plastic bag containing slightly larger, iridescent beads and is pouring them into the container. This suggests a crafting activity involving mixing different types of beads.

Step 12

Using the hot glue gun, apply glue around the cup's rim.

Above a light wood-grain surface, two hands manipulate craft supplies. One hand holds a clear plastic container filled with small, pastel-colored beads. The other hand operates a yellow hot glue gun, directing the nozzle towards the rim of the container, presumably to attach something to it. This scene suggests a crafting project is underway.

Step 13

Now, attach the base to the plastic cup. Ensure the circular paper fits snugly against the cup.

Two hands hold a clear plastic cup on its side above a light wood-grain table. Inside the cup are small, pastel-colored beads and a paper cutout of Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, and a snowman. A circular piece of brown cardboard is being attached to the open end of the cup, seemingly to seal the contents inside, creating a festive snow globe-like decoration.

Step 14

Insert the straw into the side hole of the plastic cup.

Two hands are working on a Christmas craft over a light wood-grain table. One hand holds a clear plastic cup, now sealed at the bottom with brown cardboard. Inside are pastel-colored beads and a festive scene with Santa, a Christmas tree, and a snowman. The other hand holds a bent orange straw, positioning it near a hole in the top of the cup, suggesting it will be attached as a handle or part of the decoration.

Step 15

Blow through the folded straw to make the foam balls float inside the cup.

A homemade Christmas snow globe, crafted from a clear plastic cup, sits on a wooden table. Inside the cup, cartoon images of Santa Claus, a snowman, and a decorated Christmas tree are visible. Small, colorful beads, representing snow, are scattered around the figures. An orange straw is inserted into a hole near the bottom of the cup. The video showcases a festive DIY craft project, suitable for children during the holiday season.

The Science Behind It:

Bernoulli's principle is a law in fluid dynamics. In fluids, pressure decreases where flow speed increases, and pressure increases where flow speed decreases. When blowing air through the side of the cup, the increased airflow speed reduces air pressure inside, creating an upward force that makes the foam balls float.

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We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.