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

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!

What You Need

• Paper plate
• Scissors
• Stapler and staples
• White construction paper
• Highlighters
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Glow stick

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

You May Also Like

• DIY Paper Plate Love Bug
• Glowing Monster/Alien Pendant
• A Rainbow of Ways to Teach Colors
• Build a Fort in 5 Simple Steps | Secret Apple Tree Fort
• DIY Biplane-Inspired Cupcakes
• Bunny Rabbit String Cheese Wrappers

-What color will you make your Paper Plate Flying Saucer glow?