With school nearly over and summer upon us, I see camping in your future! I cringe every time my kids want to hold a gas lantern. Yikes. So why not let your kids make these easy and most importantly safe DIY kids camping lanterns. They also make the perfect DIY kids nightlights! Whether you are outdoors or indoors these battery-operated, plastic camping lanterns make an awesome kids summer craft.
To create the Camping Stickers Jar, start by painting on a thin layer of Mod Podge® to the plastic jar. Carefully place the tissue paper mountains around the base of the jar. Smooth out any wrinkles. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge® over mountains to seal them. Once jar has dried (only took 30 minutes in the sun), let your child use the self-adhesive shapes to decorate their camping lantern!
Using a sharp craft tool, poke a small hole on both sides of each jar. Take one end of the chenille stem and slide it into the hole. Fold the edge upwards to hold the stem in place. Repeat with the opposite end of the stem on the other side of plastic jar. Place a white battery operated candle in the DIY kids camping lantern.
Lastly, place a white battery operated candle in the DIY kids camping lantern.
To create the Flames Camping Lantern. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge® to the plastic jar. Carefully place the flames around the base of the jar, slightly overlapping them.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Poge® over the flames. Place the jar in the sun to dry (about 30 minutes).
Lastly, repeat the steps of poking a hole on both sides of the jar for the handle. My kids decided to add pony beads to the flames of the lanterns.
To create the DIY Patriotic Stars Camping Jar, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge® to the short plastic jar. Carefully apply the red, white and blue stars. Smooth out any wrinkles. Apply a thin layer of mod podge over the stars. Let the jar dry in the sun for at least 30 minutes. Repeat the steps above to add the chenille stem handle.
Drop the white battery-operated tea light candles in the plastic jars, screw on the lids and let your kiddos light up the night with their DIY kids camping lanterns! Happy camping!