Need and easy, last minute craft for the Fourth of July? These simple glow stick crafts are easy to whip up in just a few minutes!
This project is easy for everyone to make - including kids!
It's a fun way to include kids in 4th of July crafting that isn't messy.
Worried about the glass jars breaking? This also works with clear plastic jars.
This project is easy for everyone to make - including kids!
It's a fun way to include kids in 4th of July crafting that isn't messy.
Worried about the glass jars breaking? This also works with clear plastic jars.
Looking for more great Fourth of July projects?
Get more patriotic crafts and recipes perfect for independence day, flag day or memorial day here:
Easy Recycled Craft for Fourth of July
Glow Stick Lanterns from Recycled Jars
Patriotic Glow Stick Lantern Supplies:
Some of the links below may be affiliate links where a purchase made after clicking will support this website without costing you extra!
- Red, white & blue glow sticks
- Old glass jars, clean & label removed
- Biodegradable glitter (optional)
- Dish soap (optional)
Recycled Fourth of July Lantern Directions:
Glass jar lantern step 1: Insert Light Sticks
I used two packages of patriotic glow wands - each comes with 6 mini glowsticks about the length of a bracelet: 2 each of red, white and blue.Instead of doubling up bracelets, you can also use necklace length sticks.
PRO TIP: Buy lots of extra glowsticks. Of the 12 glow sticks I purchased, 5 were duds
Crack your sticks and shake them to activate the glow. Insert them into your old jars.
Glass jar lantern step 2: Fill the Jars with Water & Close Lids
Fill the jars to just below the rim with water.You can optionally add bio degradable glitter and a few drops of dish soap to the jars.
When shaken, the glitter catches the light and the dish soap helps it stay suspended.
Finished lanterns with glitter:
Finished lanterns without glitter:
That's it! It does not get any more simple than that.
Use the lanterns to decorate your outdoor tables, line your walkways or use them to mark important things in the dark so you don't get lost or trip on hazards.
That's it!
If you love this recycled fourth of July lantern project, be sure to pin it to save it for later!
PRINTABLE FOURTH OF JULY LANTERN DIRECTIONS
Fourth of July Glow Stick Lanterns
Yield: 3 lanterns
Estimated cost: $3
prep time: 1 Mperform time: 3 Mtotal time: 4 M
These red white and blue glow stick lanterns are a perfect easy last minute craft to make with kids for the fourth of july. All you need is empty jars, water and glow sticks from the dollar store to make this easry 4th of july craft for independence day.
materials:
- Red, white & blue glow sticks
- Old glass jars
- Biodegradable glitter (optional)
- Dish soap (optional)
steps:
- Crack your glow sticks or glow bracelets and shake them to activate the glow.
- Insert them into your old jars.
- Fill the jars to just below the rim with water.
- (optional) add biodegradable glitter and a few drops of dish soap to the jars.
- Screw the lids back on and enjoy the glow!
Recommended Products:
Copyright 2013, Creative Green Living
Did you make this project?
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About the Author:
Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. Her goal is to empower families to make easy projects and healthier choices that are beautiful and delicious!
The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she is an award-winning blogger and most recently won the ShiftCon Media "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award in 2019.
She is also the author of several books including Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017), Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens (Skyhorse, 2018) and The Little Green Book of Mothers' Wisdom (Skyhorse, 2020).
Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe.
The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she is an award-winning blogger and most recently won the ShiftCon Media "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award in 2019.
She is also the author of several books including Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017), Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens (Skyhorse, 2018) and The Little Green Book of Mothers' Wisdom (Skyhorse, 2020).
Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe.
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OOO... cool! My kids would love this. Thanks for the 4th of July idea!
ReplyDeleteDo you know if a plastic jar would work as well? I'm just concerned about our kids breaking them in the darkness!
ReplyDeleteYes! This works with plastic jars too.
DeleteEr, just a thought, but how is this 'recycling' when you are using single use PLASTIC glow sticks?!
ReplyDeleteI'm recycling the the glass jars I used to make the lanterns.
DeleteI realize this isn't he most super-green craft ever (and if you feel uncomfortable making it, please don't). If you become aware of a re-usable glow stick option please let me know. I'd be delighted to try them.
Put the glow sticks in the freezer after use(when they are still glowing). You can pull them out and recrack them for another nights use.
DeleteThese were a HUGE hit at my craft camp this week! The younger group played with them for at least an hour in the dark!
ReplyDeleteThere is a glow in the dark solution using My Dew I think
ReplyDeleteIf you put used glow sticks in the freezer, you can use them again.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool!
ReplyDeleteHow long will the light last?
ReplyDeleteA few hours. It really depends on the quality of the glow sticks. Some have a 3-4 hour lifespan. Some have a 12 hour life span.
DeleteGrammar Police: The last line should read, "It doesn't get any SIMPLER." Using the phrase "more simple" is grammatically incorrect and awkward. Also, ending a sentence in a preposition is very naughty. Don't!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have many friends, do you? There are many other things to do in life than to troll the internet critiquing people's grammer skills.
DeleteAwe! SOME! Gotta do this immediately!
ReplyDelete