Fireflies in a Jar Craft

Fireflies are actually beetles that glow and flash to discourage predators and attract mates and prey.

Nostalgic visions of childhood summers past often include catching fireflies in mason jars on warm nights. Fireflies, or lightning bugs, can be found in temperate zones on every continent except Antarctica, but they may also be slowly disappearing according to Firefly.org. You can, however, make your own jar of fireflies in any climate, season or time of day.

The Basics

You will need a glass canning jar and a light source to create any firefly in a jar craft. How you choose to create a lightning bug-like glow is up to you and may depend on your particular skill set and aesthetic style. Jars of faux fireflies may be used to delight young children or serve as decorative elements on tables or decks.

Battery Operated

The electronic route is best for individuals who want to create a more realistic item. Technically-minded crafters can solder a small battery, a circuit board and any other necessary equipment to the lid of a canning jar, then attach a few strands of LED lights. Alternatively, there is at least one product on the market that mimics firefly behavior with LED lights and comes ready to attach to a glass or plastic jar. Electronic fireflies come with the benefit of being able to turn them off during the day or if you want to pack the jar away.

Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

Energy-efficient lightning bugs can be brought to life with the help of glow-in-the-dark paint and easy-to-find craft supplies. Dip small-scale items in the paint to mimic the bioluminescent beetles; suggestions include wood button plugs, oval beads or even shiny plastic wrapped in the middle with pipe cleaner. Place a handful of twigs or blades of fake grass in the jar and position how you like. Glue your homemade bugs randomly to the inside of the jar and the tops of the grass or twigs. Let the jar sit in a well-lit area during the day and enjoy the glow at night.

Kid-Friendly Collage

Firefly luminarias are a suitably kid-friendly craft that requires very little adult supervision, depending on the age of the children. Older children may be allowed to cut or tear pieces of colored tissue paper and decoupage them freehand on the outside of a glass jar using white glue or decoupage medium. Younger children can paint on tissue paper that is then cut out in the shape of a firefly by an adult and decoupaged to the outside of a jar. Add real or LED tea lights to complete the look. You may want to read Eric Carle's "The Lonely Firefly" for artistic inspiration.

References

• Under the Table and Dreaming; Catching Fireflies: Faux Decor Version; Stephanie Lynn; July 2010
• Not Martha; Shrinky Sheets and Various Jars; August 2007
• The New Homemaker; Fireflies in a Jar; Kathy Ross
• The Daily Hampshire Gazette; Lightning Bugs On the Rebound after Recent Population Downturn; July 2011
• The Long Thread; Summer Reading Craft #2; June 2011
• Firefly.org; Disappearing Fireflies

Resources

• Texas A&M News; Texas Fireflies Doing A Disappearing Act, Say Researchers; July 2011
• The Firefly Files; Firefly Facts; Marc Branham; 1998