In the run up to Halloween- the main event during half-term, I’ve been pinning dozens of Pumpkin-related ideas over on Pinterest. I have always been taken with all the pumkpin-styled glass votives that are around, but was a bit nervous about using them with a) a good handful of pre-schoolers and b) a live flame, especially after the terrible injuries that Claudia Winkelman’s daughter last Halloween.
So, I created the child-friendly Pumpkin nightlight. And here’s how to make one!
You need:
- plastic containers (I used lidded storage jars, as I do plan on reusing them, but you could use bottles and yogurt pots from the recycling.)
- Orange tissue paper
- PVA glue, watered down (I used 2/3rd glue and 1/3rd water)
- Permanent marker pen- Sharpie or similar.
- Battery operated tealights. Glowsticks would work well too.
1. Make sure your plastic vessel is clean and grease free. Rip the tissue paper into strips a little longer than the height of your container.
2. Cover the outside of your container in a thin layer of glue.
3. Stick the tissue paper to the gluey outside of your pot, covering all the gaps.
4. Leave to dry.
5. Trim off excess tissue paper from around the top and bottom of your pot.
6. Cover the dried tissue paper in a couple more coats of glue to seal it thoroughly.
7. Using your marker pen, draw on a Jack-o-Lantern face. As an alternative, you could cut out the face shapes from a piece of black paper and glue them in place, then give a further two coats of glue to seal.
8. Place fake tealight inside, and enjoy your glowy Jack-o-Lantern safe in the knowledge that no-one will burn down the curtains if you leave the room to go to the loo.
What a magic idea! Saves me from the Hallowe’en nightmares of burning cots, etc. Do you still use them every year?
I do Mummy Pat. They last quite well!
Ahhh these are so sweet Kelly – and I’m a lot less likely to lose a finger than carving out pumpkins!
Well precisely @fable&folk 🙂
I agree with you on the real flames and halloween outfits. I picked up another batch of tea lights at the pound shop yesterday, it was cheaper than buying batteries for the ones that have run out! I adore these, they look ace and so effective
What a really clever idea – I like that.
SOOOO stuck! Painted a Mason jar orange and need light!! A flashlight….maybe? Tell me!!! Or just leave me idealess…HELP!
Oh, FINALLY!! Yeah, a headlamp with tin foil covering the top works! Just fold up the bottom so you can press the button!
Great that you found a solution @holly. I’ll definitely be trying your idea of the headlamp and foil out this autumn!
These are so sweet. I fear the toddler can destroy most things at the moment but at least these would stand a good chance!
I have to say that they stand the test of time @Cat. I am digging them out of storage for next month!
What a great idea! This is so creative! We’d love if you’d share with our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Happy weekend!
http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_08_13_archive.html
(oh and thanks for linking to Kids Get Crafty!) x
These are SO CUTE!! Thanks for posting this clever idea. 🙂
Thanks for visiting Cranberry Morning!
Nooooooooooooooo how funny we just made exactly the same craft!!
http://www.britmums.com/members/maggy-woodley/myvideos/id/pmaTh2Mjq7ha65YRp6zVMLqMIZa6X8uC
😉
Maggy
Great minds, Maggy 😀
I love how you used plastic to make them child-safe. We did the same craft but used glass so I don’t want to put it in my little man’s room. Great idea. Would you link it here?
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-craft-challenge-5-kids-craft-or.html
It’s a nightmare making craft child-safe, Amy. I never trust Dimples with anything: she can smash melamine 🙂
Very Clever! I saw the same craft on Pinterist and loved it as well. Way to make it kid-friendly!! 🙂