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!

1. 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.

2. Place plastic aquarium plant into the jar.

3. Use a spoon to add gravel around the bottom of the jar, covering the base of the plant.

4. Place figurines, fish, seashells and any other items to the jar.

5. 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.

6. 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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Print Project

5 from 15 votes

Mason Jar Aquarium

Create a fun miniature under-the-sea world to put on your bedroom shelf, display in the bathroom, or use as a night light!

Age Group: Kids Crafts

Project Type: Crafts

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
• Scissors

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.