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I originally made these Mason jar solar lights years ago, and they’ve remained a staple in my backyard garden.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.
Would it be possible to fill the jars with water so as to amplify the light? Or just give the light some funky effects?
MWBrown, I think you should try it. I wouldn’t submerge the light bulb, but water below may be OK. I bet it would look cool with tonic water (that has a glowy green look in the dark).
Awesome idea! I was just wondering what you used in the jars to get that bronze coloring???
Dina, that’s light reflection! The jars are clear. I think it comes from the street lights. Other readers have suggested putting glass beads in the jar which I think is a brilliant idea.
It would be nice when someone comes up with or copies an idea like this one, that will remain on the Internet indefinitely, that they say exactly where they found the parts and pieces to make it happen!!
While I understand that inventory often changes within any given store year to year, at least it would give us, those that want to try and re-create it for a gift for someone in our family…like our mother!
I have been to every big box and dollar store retailer, several local and national drug store chains, several grocery store chains, one major hardware co-op and several general merchandise retailers looking for solar lights that fit in the Regular size or Large size rings made by Ball or Kerr. I have stopped in at least 15 stores and not one of them carries a solar light that fits as described.
Projects that can’t be reproduced are very frustrating!!!
Happy Mother’s Day 2014 !!
Jon, I’m sorry that you are having problems finding solar lights to fit. Unfortunately I can’t tell you where to buy vintage jars and as I have mentioned a few times in the comments (and I’ll update the post) I bought the lights at a Canadian grocery store (The Real Canadian Superstore) but I have also seen them at Target, WalMart and Dollar stores. They are everywhere in season, which may not be until next month perhaps.
I have listed resources for vintage-style jars, and solar lids that are pre-made and fit a standard mouth jar that you can buy online and have delivered anywhere. So there are options if you have run out if them locally.
Luckily I don’t think your issue is widespread, as I have received so many photos of solar light jars that people have done. If you tell me where you live, perhaps I can point you to some resources that might help you specifically.
Best of luck, and thanks for visiting my garden craft blog!
Oh, and Jon, you may not have noticed but “solar stake lights” in the materials list is a link to ones you can buy online. I’ve been making sure to update that every few months if they are out of stock or make a change to the listing.