DIY Project

Nature · Thanksgiving · Kids

Fall leaf mason jar lantern

Glue real or paper leaves onto a mason jar with Mod Podge, drop in a battery candle, and it glows amber all evening.

Fall leaf mason jar lantern
LevelIntermediate
AgesAges 6 to 10
Time45 minutes plus 1 hour drying
Cost$5 to $12

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Use a battery tea light so kids can carry it safely.

  1. Step 1: Press the leaves
    1

    Press the leaves

    Press leaves in a heavy book for 2 or 3 days so they lie flat.

  2. Step 2: Paint on the glue
    2

    Paint on the glue

    Brush Mod Podge on a small patch of the jar.

  3. Step 3: Stick a leaf
    3

    Stick a leaf

    Press a leaf on and brush more Mod Podge over it. It looks white now and dries clear.

  4. Step 4: Cover the jar
    4

    Cover the jar

    Keep adding leaves around the jar. Overlap them a little.

  5. Step 5: Dry it
    5

    Dry it

    Let it dry for 1 hour.

  6. Step 6: Finish and light
    6

    Finish and light

    Wrap twine around the rim and drop in a battery tea light.

Edie's tip

Real leaves can crack. Tissue paper leaves look almost the same and never break.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

More kids projects

Make this next

See all 98