Electrified Thunder Glow Jars are a fun and magical DIY craft that mimics the look of glowing jars with an electrified thunder effect — like little storm jars or glowing lightning bottles. Here’s a detailed at-home recipe to make your own:
Electrified Thunder Glow Jars Recipe
What You’ll Need:
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Clear glass jars with lids (mason jars work great)
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Water
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Tonic water (contains quinine, which glows under UV light)
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Glow sticks (optional, for extra glowing effect)
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Small LED fairy lights or battery-operated string lights
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Blue and white food coloring (for a stormy sky look)
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Silver or metallic glitter (for spark effect)
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Cotton balls or shredded cotton (to create “clouds” inside the jar)
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Small metal wire or twist ties (to create lightning shapes or hold cotton)
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UV flashlight (blacklight) — to activate the glow of tonic water or glow sticks
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Optional: small battery-powered fan (to create flickering effect)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Glow Base
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Fill the jar about 3/4 full with tonic water. Tonic water glows bright blue under a UV light because of the quinine.
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Add a few drops of blue food coloring to deepen the glow’s color.
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Add a pinch of silver or metallic glitter for a sparkling thunderstorm effect.
Step 2: Create the Thunderclouds
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Take some cotton balls or shredded cotton and gently pull it apart to look fluffy.
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Place the cotton inside the jar but don’t submerge it fully — just push it down so it floats or sticks to the sides to simulate clouds.
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For a lightning effect, use thin metal wire or twist ties shaped like lightning bolts, and tuck them gently inside or near the cotton.
Step 3: Add Lights
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Place a small LED fairy light string inside the jar around or beneath the cotton.
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You can also activate a glow stick, break it, shake it, and cut it carefully, then pour the glowing liquid inside the jar for a different glow (be cautious as the liquid is chemical).
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If you want flickering lightning, try adding a small battery-powered fan outside the jar to create movement, or flick the lights on and off intermittently.
Step 4: Seal and Display
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Close the jar lid tightly.
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When ready to display, shine a UV flashlight on the jar in a dark room. The tonic water will glow electric blue, and the lights plus glitter will simulate thunder and lightning.
Optional Enhancements:
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Mix in a little vinegar and baking soda separately in the jar for bubbling, but keep them separated until you want the effect.
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Use yellow or white LED lights to mimic lightning flashes.
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Paint the outside of the jar with frosted glass spray to diffuse the glow.
Safety Tips:
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Be careful when handling glow stick liquid (wear gloves).
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Keep all materials away from children unless supervised.
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Use battery-operated lights instead of candles to avoid fire risk.