With summer quickly coming to a close and school just around the corner in most parts, now is the time to soak up as much time as you can with your children to make meaningful summer memories. Catching lightning bugs is a rite of passage for children in our neck of the woods this time of year, and today I’m sharing a fun idea to create lightning bug catching jars to keep little ones occupied on summer evenings spent outdoors.

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To make lightning bug catching jars of your own, you’ll need my free Lightning Bug Catcher printables (linked below), along with a Mason jar for each child. You’ll also need a hammer and large nail, heavy duty adhesive (I like E-6000), some twine and a hole punch.

Using the hammer and large nail, make 5-6 holes in the top of each lid for ventilation inside the jar. If the lids for your jars are the canning type that come in two pieces, use heavy duty adhesive to permanently adhere the center portion to the outer ring. (This will allow children to quickly and easily remove and replace the lid when out catching bugs.) Set the lids aside to dry completely.

Print off the Lightning Bug Catcher tags onto cardstock using your computer and printer. Punch a hole in the top of each, and thread a piece of twine through. Secure to the jar with a pretty bow. All done!

Children will be delighted to run to their hearts’ content, collecting lightning bugs in the warm summer night. Just be sure to let the bugs go before bedtime so they can continue to put on their light show for many nights to come!

To access the free printable tag download, click here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!