How to Make a Kid-Friendly Solar Lantern

Store some sunshine for those long summer nights with this kid-friendly solar light project. These lanterns make for the perfect nightlight and a fun activity for the whole family.

What you'll need

• Glass jar

  Pro tip

  When choosing your jar, try and find one with an opening that's a similar diameter to the top of your solar light for the best fit.

• Solar light (stake with a solar panel top)
• Decorative tape
• Painter's tape
• Latex gloves
• Frosted glass spray paint

How to do it

1. Carefully clean and dry the outside of the jar to remove any dirt or dust.
2. Use painter's tape to create a unique pattern on the outside of the jar.
3. Put on a pair of latex gloves and choose a safe space outdoors to spray paint the jar on a piece of cardboard. This job is best suited for the helping hands of an adult.
4. Coat the outside of the jar with frosted glass spray paint; be sure to go slowly and avoid letting the paint pool or drip. Set it aside to dry. 
5. Once completely dry, carefully remove the painter's tape from the jar.
6. Disassemble the solar light so that you're left with only the solar panel and light.  
7. Position the solar panel and light on the top of the jar so that the panel faces outwards and secure it using decorative tape.
8. Set your solar lantern out in the sun to charge. Once the sun goes down, your work will really shine!

Watch our simple tutorial

Sources: Life Hacker, DIY Projects

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