Glowing Fairy Bottle – A beautiful glittery, water-filled jar that illuminates and glows in the dark. A simple craft that mesmerizes both adults and children!
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What a strange autumn we’re having. The leaves turned colors really late this year, October has had temps in the mid-70’s. . . yet this weekend, there’s a possibility we’re going to see some snow. With weather as crazy as this, I don’t know how to dress the kids or myself!
So, this past weekend we decided to ditch the clothes for our Halloween costumes and ran around the house like a bunch of monkeys (okay, so it was just Friday night – not the whole weekend). Cora, our 4-year-old, was loving it because playing dress-up is one of her favorite things EVER right now. One of the costumes she adores at the moment is a fairy costume. Who am I kidding? She loves anything princess-like. The tiaras, the shoes, the bling, the never ending pink upon pink.
To go along with her “at-the-moment-fairy-love,” I planned a super fun Glowing Fairy Bottle craft this past week that I knew she would love.
I’m including the list of materials you’ll need to make yours below, along with some links on where you can get some of the items if you’re curious.
Materials:
- Plastic or glass bottle with sealing lid (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
- Submersible LED light
(light will last up to 60 hours)
- Glycerin
- Mounting putty
- Glitter
- Foil confetti pieces
- Water
Instructions
Step 1: Turn on your submersible LED light and stick a piece of putty to the bottom of the light. You’ll want to make sure it covers the entire bottom of the light before you adhere it to the bottom of your jar. I used a pencil to apply some pressure to get it to stick well.
A quick note about the LED light. The LED light is not necessary unless you want your fairy bottle to glow. Most LED lights will last up to 60 hours after they are activated which will give your little one plenty days of enjoyment.
Step 2: Fill the bottle about 3/4 of the way full with water.
Step 3: Add a few drops of glycerin. The amount of glycerin you add will depend on the size of your bottle. My bottle was about 4 ounces so I added about a tablespoon or so.
The glycerin helps distribute the contents in the jar and prevents the glitter and confetti from settling too quickly. I’ve also seen recipes that use dish soap or light corn syrup if you don’t have any glycerin.
Step 4: Add your glitter and confetti. Fill the rest of the bottle with more water, leaving about 1/4 inch room at the top. Screw or place the lid on tightly.
The finer the glitter, the longer the pieces will stay suspended in the liquid. If you use too heavy glitter or confetti, even with the glycerin, you’ll find that it will sink to the bottom.
If you are making your bottle just for a one-use type of project, you may want to consider sealing the top of the jar with a waterproof glue so the lid cannot be removed. If you choose not to glue the lid so you can reuse the bottle again (like we did) just make sure your child is supervised when handling the jar in case any leaking occurs. We didn’t have any problems with ours.
Step 5: Shake and watch the magic begin!
These fairy bottles are so much fun and they’re mesmerizing to kids especially when observed in the dark. They can be fun little nightlights that will make going to bed so much more fun!
Oh my how pretty I like the look of this a lot thinking of my granddaughters when I saw this
Thank you, Jo-Anne. I bet your granddaughters are adorable!!
From where do those adorable bottles come?
I think I got them from Hobby Lobby, Londa!
Where did you buy the submersible LED light? I’ve been looking for those for a long time!
Hi Ninette, just click on the link for the LED lights in my materials list. It will take you right to where I purchased them!
Love this cute magical idea
Thank you, Sara!
cute idea, cant wait to try it on a summer night!
Is there something we can use other than the glycerin?
You can substitute a combination of dish soap and light corn syrup. Good luck!
Does the light last for long?? U are great a Pinterest ???
I think they’ll last around 30-45 hours.
Beautiful! Amazing idea. Was thinking about my little niece the whole time as i was reading it. Picturing how she would react to this amazing fairy bottle 🙂 Thanks for this Sara. I am definitely going to make this.
P.S. Your daughter is looking so beautiful in the princess costume 🙂
Your niece will love it! Good luck and thank you for such a nice comment. 🙂
I also thinking my niece would love this. Sadly, I can’t find your post with instructions on the Melissa and Doug site. Do you have a direct link… if you’re able to post it? Thanks!
Hi Jen! Melissa and Doug just launched a brand new website! I hope you check it out! They’re still perfecting some things on their end. Thanks so much for letting me know! You should be able to access the instructions on their site now. Thanks again!
Thanks! I’ll try again 🙂
I love this I wonna make this… But idk how to make this nu…? If u can send me those steps plz mail me thank u
You can find the steps to this project on the Melissa and Doug blog! Here’s a direct link to the project: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost?postId=glowing-fairy-bottle
There are no instructions on how to make this
A link to the Melissa and Doug blog is provided within the post. Here it is again for easy reference: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost?postId=glowing-fairy-bottle. Thanks!
What are the ingredient? I can’t figure out what they are in the picture
I list some of the materials right within this post and the instructions on how to make the bottle can be found on the Melissa & Doug blog: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost?postId=glowing-fairy-bottle
Where can I get the lit the led lights?
I thought these were SO adorable, and I made this for my mom because she loves little sparkly things like this, And she likes pixie hallow, and peter pan etc. And I will never forget the look on the face when I handed her the home made things to her. Mothers day was my birthday as well and I dont think she expected me to make her anything. Im also very crafty and was a fun, easy, cute craft. So Thank you, I honestly appreciate this.
What a heart-warming story! I’m so glad your mom loved the fairy bottle! Thanks for your comment!
Can you turn the lights off and on, or they a one time use item? How would I make these in advance for a party?
Kathy, try adhering the light on the inside of the lid rather than on the bottom of the bottle. That way it will be easier to access for turning on and off!
Its real nice and looks like very cute.Thanks for sharing this nice post
Melissa I was just wondering if the LED Light in the Glowing Fairy Bottle Be Changed out when it goes dead or do you have to start over it is Very Pretty and Cool my Daughter is an adult with special needs and she thinks it’s so Cool.
Thanks for SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL DIY CRAFT IDEA PLEASE let me know of any other Ideas U Have my Kids are Autistic and mentally Challenged I have 4 so these DIY CRAFTS R Perfect.
CHRISTY
Hi Christy! Instead of placing the light in the bottom of the bottle as I suggested in my instructions, you could always place it in the cap of the bottle as well so it’s easier to switch out without having to empty out the bottle. Good luck and I hope this works out for you and your daughter!
~Sara
how do you make it
Just take a look at the post. All instructions are provided!
Love this. This is a must try. Thank you
It looks like you may have used plastic confetti in this bottle. Does the plastic glitter or confetti last long in something like this or is foil better? Can you use nail glitter or must it be craft glitter?
I think either type of confetti would be fine. As far as glitter, I would use craft glitter. Good luck, Debbi!