Have you enjoyed reading those I Spy books with your kids as I have? I think it’s fun to try and search for all the hidden objects. This DIY I Spy Christmas in a Jar is a cool 3D version of those awesome books and kids love them because they can twist and turn the jar, and the puzzle constantly changes as the beads and objects move around. They may find the wreath quickly one time, but it’ll be in a completely different place the next time. I may or may not also enjoy playing with it, too, lol. What’s really funny is that I know for a fact that I put a Santa in that jar, but no one, including me, has seen it even once!
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It’s Day 8 and we are sharing Christmas In A Jar Ideas!
DIY “I Spy” Christmas in a Jar
Materials
- 24 oz Wide Mouth Mason Jar with Lid
- 1 Cup (Approx. 1300) Red Perler Beads
- 1 Cup (Approx. 1300) Green Perler Beads
- 1 Cup (Approx. 1300) White Perler Beads
- Various Miniature Christmas and Red or Green Items
- Clear Tacky Glue
- Red & White Baker’s Twine
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- White Cardstock
- Printer
DIY “I Spy” Christmas in a Jar Steps
1: Arrange your miniature Christmas items neatly on a white surface and take a photo of all the items together. This will be the legend for the game.
2: Add 1/2 cup of red Perler beads to the jar and arrange a few of the mini items. Now add a layer of 1/2 cup of green Perler beads and a few more items. Then add a layer of 1/2 cup of white Perler beads and another few items.
3: Repeat the red, green, and white layers with items, making six total layers. You want to make sure you leave enough room at the top so that the beads and items can mix around well.
4: Put tacky glue onto the inside of the lid insert and place it on top. Don’t put too much glue on it though or it will drip down onto the Perler beads. I’m guessing it will do that. I definitely, certainly didn’t do that myself. Nope.
5: Add some tacky glue to the inside rim of the ring part of the lid and screw it onto the jar.
6: Now shake, shake, shake senorà and mix up all of the Perler beads and mini items.
7: Print, cut out, and then glue on the FREE Printable DIY I Spy Christmas in a Jar label to the top of the jar. Edit: the glue didn’t hold for long, so I had to use double-sided tape.
8: Insert your mini object photo into a program you like and resize the image to about 4 inches by 3 inches.
9: Print it out on cardstock or photo paper and punch a hole in the corner. Thread about 18 inches of the baker’s twine through the hole and tie it around the jar.
That’s it! I know there are a lot of steps, but the whole thing took me less than 30, not including time spent browsing through Hungry JPEG for cute Christmasy images, lol. I found all of my miniature items at Hobby Lobby but you can easily find them at other craft stores, or Walmart, or a dollar store, just use your imagination. A lot of these items are actually buttons or scrapbooking embellishments. The whole concept is easily transferrable to non-holiday items, too, of course.
Scroll down for many more Christmas In A Jar Ideas you are sure to love!
Such a fun idea! I must do this for my kiddos! Pinning!
What a cute idea to pass around the table between Christmas dinner and dessert. All that fun should burn off some calories right! Fun idea for a holiday party too.