These Mason jar solar lights are a super easy, budget-friendly, and cute way to add some light and whimsy to your backyard nights. Using the power of the sun, they automatically light up at night while you’re outdoors enjoying the warm evening air.
I love entertaining outdoors at this time of year because it’s warm enough at night that a garden party does not need to end when the sun goes down. All you need is a way to keep bugs at bay and a little something that glows!
I originally made these Mason jar solar lights years ago, and they’ve remained a staple in my backyard garden. They’re one of the most budget-savvy ways to add some outdoor lighting and to set the ambience.
You only need three materials to make these lights, including old Mason jars, which you probably already have lying around and ready to be reused. Let’s get crafty!
How to Make Mason Jar Solar Lights
Using just three materials and a wee bit of time, you will quickly have stylish Mason jar solar lights to illuminate the garden or patio on these late summer nights.
Materials
- Mason jars with rings
- Stake solar light
- Double-sided foam tape or glue
Make It
The most challenging part of this project is finding the solar lights that have removable tops and the pretty Mason jars to fit them. This took me all of 10 minutes.
I bought the lights at a grocery store for $2 each and have a large collection of jars that I sorted through until I found the right ones. I found my lights at the Real Canadian Superstore, but I have also seen them at Target, Walmart, and dollar stores as well.
Now, you can easily find just the tops of the lights on Amazon. These are great because you’re not wasting the stake bottom, since it won’t be needed for this project. You can find them here and here.
There is also a company that makes solar lids specifically for Mason jars – who knew!?
As the solar light was a bit smaller than the Mason jar ring, I used a piece of double-sided foam tape to make it just a smidge wider, and it fit inside perfectly.
Don’t remove the paper from the other side of the tape so that the light can be removed from the jar. There is often an on/off switch on the light that you will still want to access. Alternatively, glue the light to the top inside of the ring to make a solid cap that can be removed.
Set out in the sun for 4-8 hours, and your new Mason jar solar lights will be charged and ready to light up the night.
I particularly love the reflection of the label on the wood below. They also look beautiful nestled on the ground in the garden or yard, or lining a pathway.
As a side note, check out how cool the moon is. While it was difficult to get a clear photo, the huge full moon was kind enough to pose in the perfect spot for these pictures. Doesn’t it look like the moon and these shining lights were just made for each other?
They remind me of jars filled with fireflies, but are much easier to come by, plus no fireflies were harmed or imprisoned in the making of these Mason jar solar lights.
I frosted the glass and added a handle to these to turn them into solar lanterns as well. You can find the instructions for how to do this in my book, Garden Made.
I can just imagine placing these next to my Fairy Light Chandelier and watching the light reflect off the dangling crystals even more than it already does at night.
More Ways to Illuminate the Night
- 22 Creative Outdoor Lighting Ideas for the Garden
- Hanging Solar Lights: Create Solar Fairly Lights with a DIY Chandelier
- Easy DIY Project: How to Make Citronella Candles
- A DIY Outdoor Garden Lamp
- The Garden Fountain That Completely Transformed a Shady Front Yard Space
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
to answer Alissa, I haven’t tried it but it seems to me like you could always take the inside part of the lid the flat part and cut an opening the exact size of your solar panel in it then you set it in and screw on the top part of the lid. it’s not the easiest to cut a hole in that lid but with the right sheet metal snips you should be able to do that. it may be easier if you use a whole saw on your drill to start a hole and then increase the size of the hole with a pair of sheet metal snips
Thanks for answering Robert. I must have missed Alissa’s comment (given I just had a baby I can imagine that it got lost in the email storm!)
Alissa, the thing that worked best for me was to find smaller mason jars. I took a few sizes with me shopping and the 78cm ones fit the standard plastic lights best. Now those are vintage jars as the ones that are commonly sold are either 70cm or 86cm. So look for vintage jars or perhaps some jars from perishables that you have used.
If it’s still an issue, I think Robert’s suggestion has merit. You could pierce the metal snap lid with a screwdriver then use metal snips to cut out a hole.