💡Note: This is an old post. We’ve discontinued snowball tree kits, but you can do these activities with any similar shape items as a replacement.
💡Also, check out our new Earth Guardians Tree Kits with mission cards, coloring sheets etc. as a fun activity to do for kids during the Winter Holiday break.
The ForestNation snowball tree kits are made from a special biodegradable, compostable potato waste that can be decorated in a number of ways to be hung on your Christmas tree. All glues, acrylic paints, and felt-tip pens will adhere to the surface giving you a range of options when it comes to making them truly personal.
1. Glitter Balls
Materials:
- 1 ForestNation snowball tree kit
- An old newspaper, or tissue paper
- Glitter in any colour you like
- PVA glue
- A small loop of thread
Instructions:
- Before you begin, ensure you have all of your materials to hand
- To prepare your snowball, make sure that it is clean by wiping it with a damp (not wet!) cloth
- Next, use a brush to apply an even coat of PVA glue to the outside of the snowball
- Immediately after applying the glue, cover your snowball in the newspaper/tissue paper, ensuring that there are no gaps along the tree kit’s opening
- Once the first layer of glue has dried and your paper is firmly attached to the snowball, pour your glitter into a bowl or onto a clean sheet of paper or newspaper.
- Apply a second layer of PVA glue over the top of your paper-covered snowball
- Immediately after applying the glue, roll the snowball through the glitter a number of times or dip it section by section into your bowl of glitter
- Leave to dry and then finish off by tying your thread through the eyelet of the snowball
2. Disco for Donner and Rudolph
Materials:
- 1 ForestNation snowball tree kit
- An adult
- Small mosaic mirror tiles (you should be able to get these online or from a craft store)
- Old newspaper or thick craft paper
- PVA glue
- A small loop of thick glitter thread
Instructions:
- Before you begin, ensure you have all of your materials to hand
- To prepare your snowball for decorating, make sure that it is clean by wiping it with a damp (not wet!) cloth
- Next, use a brush to apply an even coat of PVA glue to the outside of the snowball
- Immediately after applying the glue, cover your snowball in the newspaper/craft paper, ensuring that there are no gaps along the tree kit’s opening
- Once the first layer of glue has dried and your paper is firmly attached to the snowball, coat the paper in another layer of PVA glue and leave until firmly dry and shiny
- Once the glue has dried, apply a line of glue along the join in your tree kit and begin sticking your mirror mosaic tiles to it – remember to put glue on the back of the tiles as well as the snowball!
- If your tiles are too big to reach the top of the snowball, ask the adult to make some of your tiles smaller by putting the tiles inside a towel on a flat surface, then hitting the tiles with a hammer. The adult should be wearing eye protection and you should stay away while they do this.
- Once all of your tiles are stuck on, leave them to dry overnight and then tie your glitter thread through the eyelet of the snowball.
3. Family Fur Fun
Materials:
- 1 ForestNation snowball tree kit
- An adult
- Two acrylic paints in colours of your choosing, or one paint and a tube of glitter
- Several sheets of thin craft paper or note paper
- A piece of sponge
- A pencil
- Scissors (or, if you have an adult, a craft knife)
- PVA glue
- A small loop of thread, or ribbon
Instructions:
- Before you begin, ensure you have all of your materials to hand
- To prepare your snowball for decorating, make sure that it is clean by wiping it with a damp (not wet!) cloth
- Next, use a brush to apply an even coat of PVA glue to the outside of the snowball
- Immediately after applying the glue, apply your thin craft or note paper over the top until the tree kit is completely covered
- Once the glue has dried and your paper is firmly attached, paint over the top of it with your first colour then leave to dry
- While this is happening, write the name of your family member on a piece of paper in bubble letters, then carefully cut the middle out of them until only the outline is left – you’ve created a stencil!
- Once your first layer of paint is dry, wrap the piece of paper around the outside of the tree kit so that your family member’s name is wrapped around the middle
- Secure the paper with a piece of tape, dab paint over the top of your stencil with your second colour using a piece of sponge
- You can make your bauble extra special by dabbing glue over the stencil and sprinkling glitter over the glue. Once the glitter is on the snowball, lift the stencil carefully and leave the snowball to dry – this will stop your stencil sticking to the bauble!
- Leave to dry and then carefully remove the stencil from your snowball
- Lastly, tie your thread or ribbon through the eyelet of your tree kit and you’re done!
