Easy DIY Mother’s Day Tea Light Holders (Made with Jam Jars)
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Looking for a simple, heartfelt Mother’s Day gift kids can make? These easy DIY Mother’s day tea light holders are quick, affordable, and create a beautiful handmade keepsake Mum will love.
Using empty jam jars, dried flowers, and a little Mod Podge, you can create delicate, glowing lanterns perfect for cosy evenings, garden parties, or even thoughtful handmade gifts.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Craft
- Uses recycled materials (hello, empty jam jars!)
- Perfect for kids of all ages (with supervision)
- Quick and low-prep activity
- Creates a lovely keepsake or gift
- Great for indoor or outdoor use
🛠️ Materials You’ll Need
- Clean, empty jam jars
- Mod Podge (or PVA glue diluted slightly with water)
- Dried flowers (or tissue paper as an alternative)
- Paintbrush
- Tea lights (LED or real – see safety note below)
🌼 How to Make Your Easy DIY Mother’s Day Tea Light Holders
1. Prepare Your Jars
Start by thoroughly washing your jam jars and removing any labels. Make sure they are completely clean and dry before you begin.
2. Apply the First Layer
Using a paintbrush, apply a thin, even layer of Mod Podge to the outside of the jar. We did ours in small sections rather than doing the whole jar in one go. Make sure to not put mod podge on the rim so that you can still pick up the jar without getting glue all over your fingers. Also make sure to put something under the glass to protect your table, just in case the Mod Podge decides to get onto the bottom of the jar.
3. Add Your Dried Flowers
Carefully place your dried flowers onto the sticky surface.
Take your time arranging them – this is where you can get creative!
Tip: Tweezers can help little hands position delicate flowers.
4. Let It Dry
Allow the jar to dry completely before moving on to the next step. The Mod Podge will become clear once it is dry.
5. Seal Your Design
Apply two more thin coats of Mod Podge, letting each layer dry fully before adding the next.
This helps seal and protect your design while giving it a soft, frosted finish.
6. Add Your Tea Light
Once everything is fully dry, place a tea light inside your jar and watch it glow beautifully.
🌈 Alternative Idea: Tissue Paper Design
If you don’t have dried flowers, this craft works just as well with tissue paper.
Simply tear or cut the paper into small shapes and layer them onto the jar using the same method. This is a great option for younger children and allows for bright, colourful designs.
🔥 Safety Tips
- Always supervise children when using real candles
- Consider using LED tea lights for a safer option
- The outside of the jar may get warm with real candles
- Never leave lit candles unattended
💡 Ideas for Using Your DIY Jam Jar Tea Light Holders
- Garden decorations for summer evenings
- Table centrepieces
- Handmade gifts for family and friends
- Cosy night lights for kids’ rooms
- Decorations for parties or seasonal events
🌷Perfect for Mother’s day
This is a perfect craft for Mother’s day.
- Handmade gift from kids
- Can be personalised with favourite flowers/colours
- Great for grandmas too
Why not pair this with our ‘All about my Mum’ printable? It’s a fun way to capture your kids version of their mum. Frame it for prosperity and to make it into a complete gift set.
🌟 Final Thoughts
This DIY jam jar tea light holder craft is a lovely way to slow down and get creative with children. It’s simple enough for little ones to join in, but the results are something you’ll genuinely want to display around your home or garden.
Plus, it’s always a win when you can turn something headed for the recycling bin into something beautiful!
If you enjoy simple craft ideas, do make sure to check out our other kids activities!
If you try this craft, I’d love to hear how it turned out! 💛
