Everyone knows how fireflies got their name, but many people don’t know how the insects produce their signature glow. Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat.
Firefly light is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns that are unique to each species. Each blinking pattern is an optical signal that helps fireflies find potential mates! Create a swarm of glowing fireflies with this fun firefly jar craft.
Supplies:
- Glass jar
- Glow in the dark paint
- Black marker
- Paintbrush
Firefly Jar Craft Instructions:
Step 1: Paint small dots of paint inside the jar.
Step 2: Take your marker, and on the outside of the jar, draw little firefly wings and heads on your paint dots.
Step 3: Take into a closet or dark room and watch your firefly jar craft glow like it has real fireflies in it!
More about nocturnal animals:
Nocturnal animals are more active at night than during the day. These animals sleep during the day, often in a burrow or den. They have special adaptations that help them survive in the dark. Over millions of years, these animals have developed traits that help them survive in the darkness. Nocturnal animals may have larger ears to hear better, bigger eyes to see better, and body parts that glow in the night.
Aside from this firefly jar craft, there are more activities at Green Kids Crafts that your kids can enjoy.
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Monthly boxes come with 4-8 award-winning Creativity and STEM Science Kits (science, technology, engineering, and math) designed by experts around national standards to build confidence, flex creativity, and make kids smarter. All materials and instructions included, along with some fun extras! Each Discovery Box is created around an exciting new theme each month (think Outer Space, Nocturnal Animals, Backyard Science, Ocean, and Mad Scientist). You can cancel anytime. Join Green Kid now!
