Kids love dinosaurs, so putting together this dinosaur nightlight from a mason jar will be an especially fun project they can make! They will love knowing it’s right next to them while they sleep.

Why this project works

An easy-to-make dinosaur nightlight is a great way to foster your child’s imagination. They can create the scene inside their little night light world using supplies you might already have on hand.

Small plastic dinosaur toys are inexpensive and can often be found at dollar stores and big box department stores. Use faux moss, mini figurine trees, rocks, sand, and whatever else you’d like to add to create a magical prehistoric scene in a jar. There are so many different ways to make your own nightlight, hop over to our mason jar aquarium for another fun project if you happen to have extra mason jars!

dinosaur jar terrarium night light lit up

Helpful Project Information:

Age Level: 6 and up
Mess Factor: Medium
Level of Difficulty: Medium (cutting, hot glue gun)
Time to Complete: less than 45 minutes
Cost Estimate: Approximately $6.50 each

Craft supplies you will need

lableed supplies for dinosaur night lights — Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.

How to Make a Dinosaur Night Light

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

Turn the moss upside down and trace the mason jar lid with a black marker. Cut out the moss circle.

Cut a strip wide enough to cover the band of the jar lid.
Use hot glue to attach the moss to the lid.
Turn the lid upside down and use E6000 glue to attach the submersible light to the inside of the lid. Hot glue will not hold as well. Allow to dry completely.

Add sand to the jar first.

Place flat glass marbles, rocks, plants, and dinosaurs inside the jar to create a terrarium. Add moss for a natural look.

Place the lid onto the jar.

Glue a few rocks and a dinosaur to the top of the jar lid.

child holding dinosaur terrarium nightlight

Crafting Tips

Because the items inside the jar are not glued in place, you can rearrange your terrarium anytime you like.
Check dollar stores and toy departments for miniature trees and plastic dinosaurs. Hit thrift stores too!

Kids will love this dinosaur night light, a fun way to spend an afternoon! Be sure to check out our mason jar aquarium night light and our fairy and unicorn night light as well.

More Dinosaur Projects

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