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DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK Paper Plate Flying Saucer

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Project. Click the picture to view the tutorial.

You may remember from my Paper Plate Love Bug post that I am working on some more paper plate crafts with my son. Well, this is my second (and favorite) paper plate craft–a Glow-in-the-Dark Paper Plate Flying Saucer!

My son had a blast with this one and it can be re-used! This would be an out-of-this-world craft activity for a martian-themed party. Light it up from the outside with a black light or bring it into a dark room or fort (see our Secret Apple Tree Fort and building tips) to see the whole ship glow!

If you like this, check out my Glowing Monster/Alien Pendants!

Glowing Monster Alien Pendant

What You Need

Directions

1. From the white construction paper, cut out one half-oval for the top of the UFO and two isosceles triangles for the ship landing gear.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 1

2. Gently fold the paper plate in half and cut a slit in the middle where you can insert the half-oval. Fold the paper plate in half (the bottom of the plate should be the outside) so that the slit is in line with the fold and insert the half-oval piece to make sure it fits properly.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 2

3. Flip the plate over so that you are looking at the top of the plate. Fold over a small piece of the half-oval and glue it down so it stays in place.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 3

4. Glue the triangles onto the top side of the plate at the bottom across from the half-oval piece to make the landing gear.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 4

5. Flip the plate over so the bottom of the plate is up (this will be the outside of your flying saucer) and decorate it with highlighters. The brighter the highlighters, the more they will react with black lights and glow.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 5

6. Draw a little alien inside the half-oval “window” and glue on some googly eyes.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 6

7. Fold the plate in half again so that the decorated bottom of the plate is on the outside, the alien is at the top, and the landing gear is at the bottom. Staple the plate to seal it shut. Be sure to leave enough space between the staples to allow a glow stick to slide in and out but not so much that it just falls out. I left about 2-3 inches. The sides are the easiest area to insert/remove the glow sticks, so try to leave space there.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 7

8. Activate your glow stick BEFORE you insert it inside the plate.

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Step 8

9. Add your glow stick into the paper plate. Leave an opening where you can remove the glow stick so you can insert a new one once the light fades out so you can continue to enjoy your cosmic Paper Plate Flying Saucer!

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Craft. Click the picture to view the tutorial and watch it glow!

Bring your UFO into the dark of a closet or bathroom or inside a fort and watch it glow!

Paper Plate Flying Saucer Glow in the Dark. Click the picture to view the tutorial.

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17 Comments

  1. That is really cool! My son loves things that glow in the dark, and is always running into the closet to look at them. Thanks for sharing the idea.

  2. My son loves all things glow in the dark. We’re going to have to make these with the kids when we do outer space week next month.

  3. Your always so creative Alyssa! You should be a preschool teacher!

  4. What a creative craft! I wanted to let you know that I am featuring this on simplycreativemoms dot com.

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