A child holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament with a Let It Snow collar
  • A child holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament with a Let It Snow collar
  • A smiling boy holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament
CHRISTMAS / PHOTO CRAFT

Arctic Animal Snow Globe Ornaments

  • Mess: —
  • Craft
Jump to the steps
Age
3+
Prep
Minutes per ornament
Type
Photo Craft
The finished project

Arctic Animal Snow Globe Ornaments up close

Every angle, before you read a single instruction.

  • A child holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament with a Let It Snow collar
  • A smiling boy holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament
A child holding a finished penguin photo snow globe ornament with a Let It Snow collar
Why we love it

Arctic Animal Snow Globe Ornaments

Not every winter craft has to be red and green — these arctic animal snow globe ornaments are the cool-blue alternative we reach for all winter long. A penguin in a bobble hat, a polar bear in earmuffs, and a fluffy arctic fox, each holding a child's photo inside a clear snow-filled ornament. They work for Christmas, for January winter units, and for anyone whose classroom palette runs more 'let it snow' than 'merry and bright.' This is the arctic animals design from our photo snow globe ornament collection — it also comes in pink gingerbread and reindeer & Santa. Same easy method for all three.

Shop

Shop the materials

The exact products we used, if you'd rather not hunt them down.

Some links are affiliate links. We only share things we actually use.

Step by step

How to set up arctic animal snow globe ornaments

Follow along at your own pace.

  1. Step 1: Print the Kit

    Print the arctic animals PDF — page 1 has 12 photo cutouts (penguin, polar bear, and arctic fox), pages 2–3 have the blue 'Let It Snow' collar wraps with snowflakes. Cardstock recommended; these get handled a lot.

  2. Step 2: Cut Out the Animals

    Cut along the outlines. Kids inevitably have strong opinions about which animal they get — consider letting them choose, or assign one animal per table for a coordinated set.

  3. Step 3: Add Each Child's Photo

    Trim each photo to the round cutout and tape it behind the animal. The penguin's bobble hat and the bear's earmuffs frame faces so cutely — winter-craft gold.

  4. Step 4: Fill the Ornament with Snow

    Spoon in faux snow or foam beads, about a third full. White mixed with icy-blue pom-poms gives the loveliest winter-sky effect inside the globe.

  5. Step 5: Tuck the Animal Inside

    Stand the animal in the snow and snap the ornament closed. Tape the back if it leans.

  6. Step 6: Wrap the Collar and Tie the Ribbon

    Curl a 'Let It Snow' collar around the base, tie an icy-blue ribbon bow, and you're done. These look beautiful grouped on a windowsill where the light catches the 'snow.'

What they're learning

Skills hiding inside the play

  • FINE MOTOR SKILLS

    Cutting, taping, and spooning the snow all build little-hand strength — the same skills that make writing and self-care easier.

  • ARCTIC VOCABULARY

    Penguin, polar bear, arctic fox, bobble hat, earmuffs, snowflake — the craft is a natural way to name winter animals and winter clothing while making something real.

  • CHOICE AND VOICE

    Penguin, bear, or fox? Letting each child choose their animal — or assigning one per table for a coordinated set — makes the craft theirs.

  • SEASONS AND UNITS

    This one stretches past Christmas into January polar-animals units — two crafts in one kit, and a natural lead-in to penguin and polar bear stories.

  • GIVING

    These ornaments are made to be given. A child who makes a gift for a parent or grandparent practices generosity in the most concrete way there is.

Words to use

Vocabulary

  • penguin
  • bobble hat
  • polar bear
  • earmuffs
  • arctic fox
  • snowflake
  • ornament
  • snow
  • collar
  • ribbon
  • winter
  • arctic
Talk together

Conversation starters

  • Penguin, polar bear, or arctic fox — which one are you picking, and why?

  • What does a penguin wear to stay warm? What about the bear?

  • What color should we make the snow — white, icy blue, or both?

  • Where do polar bears live? Where do penguins live?

  • Who would you give your ornament to?

  • What book should we read before we craft — a penguin story or a polar bear story?

Read together

books we love

Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey
Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Some links are affiliate links. We only share books we actually read.

Make it yours

Ways to change it up

Same setup, different challenge.

  1. REINDEER & SANTA SNOW GLOBES

    The classic Christmas version — each child's photo inside a reindeer with jingle-bell antlers or a Santa hat. See the Reindeer & Santa Snow Globe Ornaments activity.

  2. GINGERBREAD SNOW GLOBES

    The pink version — each child's photo inside a gingerbread character with 'You're Too Sweet' collars. See the Gingerbread Snow Globe Ornaments activity.

  3. DIY SNOW GLOBE PARTY FAVORS

    The original snow globe favor tutorial — acrylic charms and printable collars for classroom gifts. From the blog post that started the collection.

Good to know

Questions parents ask

What is in the printable kit?
The arctic animals kit is $5 and includes 12 photo cutouts (penguin, polar bear, and arctic fox) plus the blue 'Let It Snow' collar wraps with snowflakes.
Can I use this after Christmas?
Yes — that's the point of this design. It works for December gifts AND January polar-animals units, and snowflakes and penguins work for every classroom in December.
What size ornaments do I need?
Clear plastic fillable ornaments, 3–4 inches. The two halves snap apart so you can fill and tuck the animal inside, then snap closed.
Can I use regular paper instead of cardstock?
Cardstock is recommended for this one — these get handled a lot, and the animals stand up straighter in cardstock.
What books pair with this craft?
Read a penguin or polar bear story first, then craft — instant lesson plan. The page's book shelf has three winter favorites to start with.
Are the other two designs the same method?
Yes — pink gingerbread and reindeer & Santa use the exact same six steps. Once you've made one batch, you can make them all.
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