06/25/2026
Glowing Ladybug Lantern Jars
These adorable glowing ladybug lanterns are made from recycled plastic bottles, tissue paper, and fairy lights. They create a magical garden decoration that lights up beautifully at dusk.
Ingredients
2 clear plastic bottles with caps
Red tissue paper, cut into small squares
1 strand warm white battery-operated fairy lights
4 black chenille pipe cleaners
Round black dot stickers
2 black plastic bottle caps
2 googly eyes
Hot glue sticks
Hot glue gun
Instructions
Wash and dry the plastic bottles thoroughly
Remove any labels from the bottles
Cut the bottoms from the bottles if needed to create the desired lantern shape
Apply a thin layer of glue to the outside of each bottle
Cover the bottles with overlapping pieces of red tissue paper
Allow the tissue paper to dry completely
Attach black dot stickers around the bottle to create a ladybug pattern
Insert a strand of fairy lights into each bottle
Position the battery pack so it remains accessible for turning the lights on and off
Glue two googly eyes onto each black bottle cap
Cut two pipe cleaners in half to create antennae
Bend the pipe cleaners into gentle curves
Glue two antennae to the top of each black bottle cap
Attach the completed head to the bottle neck using the cap threads or glue if necessary
Turn on the fairy lights and check that the lantern glows evenly
Place the finished ladybug lanterns in a garden bed, on a patio table, or along a walkway