Mason jars – those ubiquitous glass containers – are more than just vessels for jams and pickles. With a little imagination, they transform into canvases for creative fun!
This collection of 25 mason jar crafts for kids caters to a range of ages, interests, and skill levels. Get ready to unleash your inner artist, scientist, and decorator with these awesome projects!
Light Up the Night:
Firefly Mason Jar Lanterns:
Capture the magic of fireflies with glow sticks! Fill clean jars with craft sand or pebbles, add a glow stick, and secure the lid with decorative ribbon or twine. Instant starry night in a jar!
Fairy Jar Lights:
String battery-operated fairy lights inside a jar for a whimsical nightlight. Decorate the outside with paint, glitter, or decoupage for a personalized touch.
Solar Jar Lights:
Harness the power of the sun! These kits, readily available at craft stores, come with a small solar panel that fits on the jar lid. Let your kids decorate the jar, then watch it illuminate at dusk.
Dive into Sensory Play:
Calm Down Jar:
Help kids manage emotions with a calming sensory jar. Fill a jar with water, glitter, and a few drops of food coloring. Add a drop of clear craft glue to slow down the movement of the glitter. Secure the lid and watch the worries drift away.
Ocean in a Jar:
Create an underwater world with blue water beads, plastic sea creatures, and tiny shells. This is a great conversation starter about ocean life and a calming desk decoration.
Lava Lamp in a Jar:
Science experiment meets sensory fun! Combine water, vegetable oil, and Alka-Seltzer tablets for a bubbly eruption that mimics a lava lamp. Adult supervision is recommended for this activity.
Get Crafty and Colorful:
Painted Mason Jar Vases:
Transform a jar into a beautiful vase! Let your kids unleash their inner artist with acrylic paints, markers, or even spray paint. They can create patterns, designs, or even write messages.
Confetti Jars:
Fill a jar with colorful confetti or tissue paper squares for a festive decoration. Top it with a painted lid or a piece of decorative fabric for a unique touch.
Friendship Bracelets in a Jar:
Turn a jar into a portable craft station! Fill it with colorful embroidery floss and store it with a bracelet-making guide. Kids can create friendship bracelets on the go.
Tie-Dye Mason Jar Coasters:
Upcycle jar lids into colorful coasters. Cut felt circles slightly larger than the lid size. Decorate them with tie-dye patterns using watered-down acrylic paints.
Let Nature Inspire:
Fairy Gardens:
Create a miniature world inside a jar! Layer pebbles, soil, and small plants in the jar. Decorate with miniature figurines, houses, and natural elements like twigs and moss.
Terrarium in a Jar:
Similar to a fairy garden, a terrarium showcases a miniature ecosystem. Use a variety of plants that thrive in similar humidity levels. Closed terrariums require minimal care, making them perfect for forgetful gardeners (adults or kids!).
Pressed Flower Art:
Collect beautiful flowers and leaves, press them between book pages, and then arrange them in a jar. This is a lovely way to preserve nature’s beauty and create a unique decoration.
Organize and Personalize:
Mason Jar Pencil Holders:
Mason jars become handy desk organizers. Decorate them with paint, washi tape, or decoupage to match your child’s room decor.
DIY Desk Lamp:
Upcycle a jar into a cool desk lamp! Find a lamp kit with a clip that can attach to the jar rim. Decorate the jar and enjoy a personalized workspace light.
Mason Jar Piggy Bank:
Encourage saving with a personalized piggy bank. Decorate a jar with your child’s favorite colors, characters, or themes.
Think Outside the Jar:
Mason Jar Seed Shakers:
Turn a jar lid into a handy seed shaker. Poke small holes in the lid and fill the jar with seeds for planting. This makes gardening activities easier and less messy!
DIY Mason Jar Wind Chimes:
Create a symphony of tinkling sounds with wind chimes made from mason jars. Hang small bells, buttons, or other trinkets from string and suspend them inside the jar.
Mason Jar Bird Feeders:
Attract feathered friends to your backyard with a homemade Delight Mason jar bird feeders are a fantastic way to attract beautiful birds to your backyard, providing them with a tasty snack while offering you hours of entertainment watching them flit and feed.
Fun and Functional Crafts:
Travel Slime Kit:
Keep boredom at bay on trips with a portable slime kit! Fill a small mason jar with pre-made slime and add glitter, beads, or mini figures for customization.
DIY Bath Salts:
Create a spa experience at home! Mix Epsom salts with essential oils and food coloring for a relaxing and fragrant bath soak. Package it in a decorated mason jar for a homemade gift.
Layered Snack Jars:
Pack healthy snacks on the go with a layered mason jar. Fill the bottom with granola, add a layer of yogurt, and top it with fresh fruit. Kids can enjoy a mess-free, nutritious snack.
DIY Cookie Cutters:
Turn jar lids into fun cookie cutters! Trace simple shapes onto the lid and carefully cut them out with a metalworking snips (adult supervision required!). Kids can use these unique cutters to bake delicious treats.
Get Festive:
Halloween Treat Jars:
Mason jars become spooky (or cute!) Halloween treat holders. Decorate them with black paint, googly eyes, and pipe cleaner bats for a haunted house theme. Alternatively, use orange paint and jack-o-lantern faces for a festive touch.
Mason Jar Snow Globes:
Create a winter wonderland inside a jar! Fill it with water, glitter, and miniature Christmas trees or snowmen. Hot glue a small figurine to the lid and secure it on the jar. Shake it up for a magical winter scene.
Bonus Tip: When working with mason jars for younger children, consider using plastic mason jars for safety.
This list is just a starting point! With a little imagination, the possibilities for mason jar crafts are endless. So, gather your supplies, grab some jars, and get ready to unleash your creativity!
Additional Tips:
- Adult Supervision: Always supervise young children when using craft materials, especially tools like scissors or hot glue.
- Get Messy: Embrace the creative process and don’t be afraid to get a little messy!
- Repurpose and Recycle: Give used mason jars a new life and reduce waste.
- Personalize It: Encourage children to personalize their crafts and express their unique style.
- Have Fun!: Most importantly, have fun crafting with your kids! These projects are a great way to bond, learn, and create something special together.
With mason jars and a dash of creativity, you and your kids can embark on a world of crafting adventures. Happy crafting!
