I picked up a flashlight and batteries at the dollar store for a whopping $2. If you have a flashlight you’re not using at home already, this isn’t a permanent modification, so you can use that, and just peel the vinyl back off when you’re done! You just need a scrap of non-permanent craft vinyl (you can even use contact paper, in any color, as long as it’s not clear) and a way to punch or cut holes in it. I used my Silhouette machine to size and cut it precisely, but you can easily cut a 2″ circle (the size of my dollar store flashlight) and use a star-shaped hole punch to make a starry night!
Here’s what you will need:
- Any size flashlight (and don’t forget the batteries)
- Craft vinyl (I’m using black)
- Electronic Cutting Machine
- (Optional: If using the Silhouette, you’ll need to borrow or create a Cut File – you can download it here. Just size it to fit your flashlight’s lens!)
- Alternately: Scissors and a star-shaped punch
It’s as simple as sticking the vinyl cutout onto the flashlight. Switch it on, and let the magic begin! Kids will love to make their own stars everywhere. My daughter was a blur in all the photos I tried to take with her, haha. That’s one way to know it’s a hit, and on a budget, too!
Because inexpensive flashlights use reflected/refracted light (I could probably Google it and learn exactly how flashlights work, but I stick to the crafts and leave the science to someone else) your image WILL be a little bit blurry as the light bounces around behind the lens. Like think about when you aim a cheap flashlight – you can see rings in the light it makes, and brighter light right in the center. That will still happen, to a degree. So it worked really well with random stars, but if you’re planning a more intricate pattern, then you’ll want to test it out on other, higher quality lighting implements. Here’s what our star pattern looks like in the dark (this is a ceiling shot):
I hope you enjoy this easy kids activity and even get creative with what else you can make! Thanks for joining me today and I’ll catch you guys again soon!
Well that's just awesome good fun! Kids do love flashlights and I put one in my grandchildren's stockings every year! Cute pics of Raya…she's growing up fast!
What a great idea! Kids would go crazy for that!
Super fun idea! Reed loves playing with flashlights but I never thought of doing this! Can't wait to try it tonight!
What a cool idea. Kids would LOVE it!!!
This is so cute my kids would love this! I would love for you to share this at my link party http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/08/share-it-link-party-25.html
Great idea. What a lot of fun
Happy Little Feet
Very fun project! My son would love it :)
What a fun idea!! I know a few kiddos that would love it!
I love this! We are actually camping in the yard this weekend so I have to make this asap! I'd love for you to come share this at our Pinteresting Party!
So sweet ~
Stopped in from Southern Lovely's Show and Tell.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
This is such a cute idea – I would've loved this when I was a kiddo!
Love this idea! I need to share it with my kids…I'm sure they would love it.
Thanks
So fun! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!
Holly
Sorry but I had to pop by and leave a comment because I think Raya may just be the cutest little girl I have ever seen!!! I love these photos of her looking at the flashlight, and I think this was such a terrific idea you had. You are such a cool mommy and Raya is lucky to have you!
Aww what a cute idea!
Great idea and something so simple. I definitely need to make some of these for my grandkids when they sleep over. they would think it's great fun as a “night light.”
Bless you, Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)
My oldest is pointing at the screen freaking out right now. I think that's a “mom you should make this asap.” I'd love to have your share at my link party. :) http://www.whitelightsonwednesday.com/2012/08/wednesday-whatsits-23.html
What a fun idea! :D
I am so trying this!
How neat! Definitely need to try this with my little one! She'd be in awe =)
I think you are going to be my kids' new best friend! I’m so glad you linked this up at One Creative Weekend! I love it! Hope your weekend is fantastic.
Thanks for linking up! Pinning!! =)
I love this! I remember “camping” under tables with blankets over them as a kid and this would have been awesome to have :-)
Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Saw this via My Turn for Us… but I also saw on silhouette blog! CONGRATS!
New Follower!
hugs, jen
Love this, Adrienne!
I could seriously feature you every week.
So I will again. Thanks for sharing at Creative Juice last week…
:)
Nicolette
I love her cute little pigtails! This is a really good idea – thanks for sharing! I dont have the nifty machine that you have, but I will improvise with contact paper and stamps as you suggested. This is so cheap but cool – I could use it as a prize in a birthday goodie bag. THX!
jenny at dapperhouse
This is such a great idea. I know my son would love this for his room as he's going to bed at night. Gonna try and get something similar done tomorrow. Thanks for the idea!!
So cute!! I want to do this.. my little girl loves flashlights
I love this idea! Next time I'm at the dollar store I'm definitely buying a couple of flashlights :o)
Thanks for linking up @ Keep Calm & Link Up! Can't wait to see what you come up with next week friend!
Thanks for the great idea. I downloaded the design now off to the dollar store to get flashlights. I am having 3 of my grandkids spend the night. They will love this.
I had no problem downloading your file to my cameo, awesome in every way that you shared your out of this world creation. I now have a great toy in my arsenal for kids.
Thank you so much for sharing with us at Someday Crafts! I will be featuring your project tonight on our blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
What a creative idea! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Hop xo
This will be featured tomorrow at my link party! Make sure to grab a feature button!
http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/
That is so easy! I want to try this, what a great idea thanks for sharing this.
http://www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
That is such a cool idea!
So cute!! love the idea!
Oh I LUV this! Can't you just see this with animal sillouettes, and at least 2 kids? Imagine the fun!! ~lol~
Teri C
I LOVE THIS!! We are going camping this weekend and this would be so much for for the girls to play with in the tent!
I would love for you to share this on our made for or by kids linky http://wemadethat.blogspot.com/2012/08/we-made-that-linky-2.html
What a great idea! This would be so much fun around the campfire. My little guy loves flashlights, so what a great way to make them even more fun!
Love this idea! I'm thinking this will be a great stocking stuffer!
Hi Adrianne, I'm finally posting some of my favorite projects from our 8/21 All Star Block Party and your homemade starry night light is one of them! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Shasta @InTheOldRoad
http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/2012/09/all-star-block-party-12-features-late.html
Thanks so much for linking up to last week’s Martha Mondays! I do hope you’ll drop by again this week and share another post : )
http://www.watchoutmartha.net/2012/09/martha-mondays-link-up-party-features-93.html
~Amanda
http://www.watchoutmartha.net
Thank you so much for linking up to last week's Tuesday Confessional. You've been featured and Pinned so come on over and grab a brag button!
http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2012/09/tuesday-confessional-features.html
~Macy
I'll be pinning this and sharing the pin on Facebook at OneCreativeMommydotcom. Feel free to stop by OneCreativeMommy.com and grab a featured button.
Okay…I was way out of the loop and I missed this….oh my goodness, my kids are going to think I am the coolest mom ever because of you! haha! I might just have to surprise them this weekend with one tucked under their pillows :) Thank you for helping me create some fun memories!
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Just came across this on Pinterest! It would be a great camping craft!
This a a great stocking stuffer idea! I put things like this is stocking I send to the Nieces and Nephews. This year I added a book Inspector Dewey by Kristen Heimerl, inspectordewey.com is her site. A really cute read about a clever cat. I don’t think you can go wrong with a clever cat!
Gearvita offers a wide range of brand flashlights including Nitecore, Olight or Fenix for you, all of them are at a very affordable price.
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