Kids can create their own make-believe fish aquarium using a plastic mason jar. These darling mason jar aquariums make great bedroom decorations, and with the addition of submersible lights, make fun night lights too!
Why this project is a hit
Less mess and maintenance than a real fish tank, these mini aquariums are fun to make and look awesome.
Kids can pick aquarium plants in their favorite colors and decide on fun fish or even a mermaid. The sky is the limit!
Craft supplies you will need
You can make your aquariums with clear water, or add a few drops of blue food coloring for that deep blue ocean feel!
Also, I do suggest using plastic mason jars instead of glass, for safety reasons!
Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Helpful Project Information:
- Age Level: 5 and up – smaller children may need help.
- Mess Factor: Medium – water spillage
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Complete: 30 minutes
- Cost Estimate: Less than $6.50
How to Make a Mason Jar Aquarium
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!
- First, if you want your aquariums to be night lights, attach a submersible light to the inside of the jar lid using E6000 glue. Set aside to dry while you build your aquarium.
- Place plastic aquarium plant into the jar.
- Use a spoon to add gravel around the bottom of the jar, covering the base of the plant.
- If you would like your water to be blue, add a couple drops of food coloring to the water first and stir. Slowly pour water into the jar.
- Screw the lid in place.
To turn on the light, carefully remove the lid, turn on the light, and replace the lid.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- You can trim the top off the plant with scissors if it’s too tall.
- If you are just making aquariums and do not plan to use these as night lights, you can glue the lid on to deter young children from opening them up.
Kids will love making these adorable mason jar aquariums! Shopping for the creatures, plants and other additions is one of the best parts of this project!
Be sure to check out our dinosaur nightlight and our fairy and unicorn nightlights too!
More Ocean Crafts
- Mermaid Slime
- Seashell Creatures
- Seashell Fish
- Sand Cast Starfish
- Paper Plate Aquarium
- Rainbow Jellyfish
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Mason Jar Aquarium
Supplies
- 16- ounce plastic mason jar with lid
- Filtered water tap water works, but may be cloudy
- Plastic aquarium plants
- Aquarium gravel
- Plastic fish and/or figurines like mermaids
- Seashells starfish, etc
- Submersible candle lights optional, if you want these to be night lights
- Blue food coloring optional
Craft tools
- E6000 glue
Instructions
- First, if you want your aquariums to be night lights, attach light to the inside of the jar lid using E6000 glue. Set aside to dry while you build your aquarium.
- Place plastic aquarium plant into the jar.
- Use a spoon to add gravel around the bottom of the jar, covering the base of the plant.
- Place figurines, fish, seashells and any other items to the jar.
- If you would like your water to be blue, add a couple drops of food coloring to the water first and stir. Slowly pour water into the jar.
- Screw the lid in place.
- To turn on the light, carefully remove the lid, turn on the light, and replace the lid.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- You can trim the top off the plant with scissors if it's too tall.
- If you are just making aquariums and do not plan to use these as night lights, you can glue the lid on to deter young children from opening them up.
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NotGivingItToYou says
How completely awful. Do you really NOT KNOW that fish die if kept in such a tiny container? Really?
Are you the type of person who also buys pedigree pets and lets dogs and cats die at the pound, while you support breeders?
Just look at what you taught your kids. Selfishness.
Amanda Formaro says
They are plastic fish ma’am… it’s stated clearly in the blog post as well.
Terri says
what kind of glue would be used to seal the jar if it is not to be used as a nightlight?
Julia J Valdary says
Thanks for the project idea. I am going to do this project with my kids. Quick question, how do you turn on and off the light once you have glued them to the lid.
Amanda Formaro says
You can just unscrew the lid and turn it off :)
jane says
It says if you’re NOT using it as a night light to glue it down, to stop little kids from spilling it.
Carol says
I have had real fish tanks and after a while they start to grow algae, does this do the same?
Amanda Formaro says
Algae will not grow as it comes from organic waste like fish excrement and uneaten fish food. :)
DIANNE LANGER says
These are SOoo Cute!