Then I simply offered the girls lots of ordinary felt tip marker pens to draw and decorate their lanterns with. It would be better to use permanent pens like Sharpie markers, so that the colours can’t rub off, but I didn’t have any (shock horror!) These pens stayed on the plastic fine and didn’t rub off if left to dry before being touched.
Then I cut a small hole at the back (see arrow in picture) and pushed in a small push button LED light into each jug. I had intended to use glowsticks in these lanterns and I’ve no doubt it would work very well, but on activating them one split and the liquid shot into my eye! Ouch. Suffice to say, I decided to bin the lot and stay on the safer side with the LED lights. These battery operated lights were so bright and powerful and made the colourful jugs glow beautifully. The girls were thrilled!
Using the lights has actually worked out as a better solution as we can keep the lanterns for longer and use the scooters every day for a pre-dinner adventure each night!
What they are learning as they play:
creativity designing and crewing in 3D, using a range of materials, model making
science designing and making a project from start to end, testing, experimenting, lights and shadows, simple technology, on and off switches
language learning new vocabulary e.g. “modify” and “design”
Cakie: 4.4
Pop: 2.9
Bean: 10 mos
Have you ever made a lantern or nightlight? What materials did you use?
You can also use milk jugs to make:
Baby Dropping and Posting Game
Tube, tape and beans Discovery Box
Easy Catching Game
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Emma @mummymummymum says
They are fantastic Anna, you are so creative! x
Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says
Oh my goodness, these are great!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
So Cool Anna! Love this.
Niccola Drake says
Fantastic idea. My son will love this.
Niccola
http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au
Vic Lau says
What a super cool idea!
Amie (Triple T Mum) says
This is a gorgeous idea and I can think of a few other night time adventures we could use them on 🙂
Naomi @ Upcycled Creatively says
Wow wow wow! This is such a cool idea and works so well! Thanks so much for sharing with us x
Domestic Goddesque says
It works? I’ve seen the milk-jug concept of light diffusion on Pinterest but didn’t realise that it would actually work. And to use it on a scooter is pure unbridled genius. I hope Micro-Scooters signs your idea up quickly!!
Anna Ranson says
haha, oh so likely eh?! 🙂 thanks Kelly! x
Ali Wright says
When I saw the title of your post in my inbox I was intrigued……. and it is so cool. My girls would love these.
PragmaticMom says
What a great idea! It looks fun to make and it’s so functional! You really are amazing!!!
RedTedArt says
How fun! Off to stumble.
Maggy
Anna Ranson says
thanks for the Stumble Maggy!
the Monko says
This is utterly brilliant. I will be making one of these for/with Goblin
Anonymous says
Where did you get your light bulbs and how much were they? Love the idea!