This post is sponsored by Duracell Ultra Batteries.
With all the hype around the new Star Wars movie, my kids have been eyeing off the lightsabers in the shops for a while now. But I’m a party pooper, so I said no to buying an expensive, noisy, plastic lightsaber. Of course when my eight year old suggested we could make our own… well now that sounds like a fun project!
Morgan and I talked a lot about how we might make a lightsaber.
We wondered what could work for the light, what we could use for the tube, and how we’d make it ‘look cool’. We did some googling, we asked Dad for some technical advice and we gathered some supplies to try out our ideas.
We weren’t sure if our lightsabers would work, even as we were building them, but they turned out great so we thought we’d share them with you.
How to make a lightsaber!
To make your own lightsaber you’ll need:
- A laminator
- Two A4 laminator pouches
- A roll of coloured cellophane
- Scissors
- Clear tape
- A super bright torch/flashlight (see below for details)
- Batteries
- Our free printable lightsaber handles (see below for details)
- Markers or coloured pencils.
It’s important to choose the brightest torch/flashlight you can get, so that it lights up the entire length of the lightsaber.
We found small, inexpensive, torches, with five super bright LED lights and a button on the end. They were the perfect size and brightness.
We also needed batteries that could last the distance.
I knew these lightsabers were going to see lots of use so I wanted a battery that could power all that play. We used Duracell Ultra (Duracell’s long lasting AA batteries) and they’ve even been able to outlast my wild kids!
Here’s how to put your lightsaber together:
Morgan and I came up with all kinds of wild ideas for how to make a coloured plastic tube for the lightsabers, most of which were either too expensive, or too impossible!
In the end we decided to try laminating some coloured cellophane and it worked great!
Start by cutting a piece of cellophane to the size of two laminator pouches placed end to end. Then carefully place a pouch over the cellophane at one end, and at the other, so they overlap a little in the middle.
The cellophane is slippery so it’s a bit tricky, but you don’t need to be perfect. As long as the laminator pouches cover the cellophane and overlap a little around the edges and by a good centimetre in the middle, you can trim off any wonky bits later.
Carefully feed your overlapped pouches into the laminator and you’ll get one long piece of coloured plastic coming out the other side!
Roll the laminated sheet into a tube the same size as your torch and tape it together, then tape the tube to the torch.
The next challenge we encountered was the light escaping out the open end of the tube, but we fixed that with a very simple solution… Scrunch up a bit of left over cellophane and pop it into the open end of the tube to ‘seal’ it, then put some tape over the end.
Now you need to make your lightsaber look super cool by adding a custom designed handle!
You can design your own using a sheet of paper and some markers, or download the free printable lightsaber handles that Morgan and I designed and colour them in.
You can download our free printable lightsaber handles here.
This printable is an A4 sized pdf file. If you are printing on US ‘letter sized’ paper be sure to select ‘fit’ or ‘shrink to fit’ from your printer options.
Please remember that the printables at picklebums.com are for personal use only, you may not sell, share, or link directly to these files.
Once you’ve finished your handle design, wrap it around the torch and secure it with some tape, and you are ready for Jedi training!
Morgan and I were thrilled with how well our homemade lightsabers turned out. It was so great to see my boy come up with his own ideas, do some research, test out his theories and revise ideas that didn’t work.
Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker have been battling on and off at my house for the past few weeks and our homemade lightsabers are still going strong.
Duracell is an official partner of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Purchase two packs of Duracell batteries for a free popcorn when you see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in cinemas – check the website or Duracell’s facebook page for more information.
Win a Duracell Star Wars Prize Pack
If you’d like to power your kids play and deck them out in all the latest Star Wars gear, I have six fabulous Duracell Powering Play prize packs to give away!
This competition is now closed.
Congratulations to Laura who won first prize, and to Cherie, Fiona, Kate, Jenni-Mae and Karen who also won prizes
One winner will receive a $500 Toys R’ Us voucher and a pack of Duracell batteries and five runners-up will each receive a $100 Toys R’ Us voucher and a pack of Durcaell batteries.
To enter simply leave a comment below answering this question –
Would your lightsaber power the light or the dark side of the force? Why?
The most creative and fun answer will win.
You must be an Australian resident to enter, and entries close at midday on Wednesday December 16th 2015. See full terms and conditions below.
You must be an Australian resident and be 18 + years of age to enter.
You must provide a valid email address and entries are limited to one per household.
Entries close Wednesday December 16th 2015 at midday Australian EDST.
Entries will be judged on merit and creativity.
One winner will receive $500 Toys R’ Us voucher and a pack of Duracell batteries and five runners-up will each receive a $100 Toys R’ Us voucher and a pack of Durcaell batteries. Prizes are not guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.
Winners will be contacted by email and announced on this post by Wednesday December 23 2015.
The winner must contact me within 5 days or the prize will be re-drawn.
The winner agrees to have their contact details passed on to the appropriate PR company or brand representative who will send out/organise the prizes directly.
This post is co-ordinated by The Remarkables Group
kate @ livinglovinglaughing says
This is such a great activity! My two sons would LOVE to do this – and we would definitely be powering the light!!! Especially because lately (after some ongoing brotherly disputes) we have been talking about why brothers should be kind and loving to each other, that they can be best friends, even though they also love to rumble and tumble. This would be a fun way to show them they can have their play but also work together for the force of GOOD!! ;)
Kate Lloyd says
These are so awesome! For so long I was calling them light savers. I think I’d have to say the LIGHT side because it seems like a much easier and stress-free way to go – LOL
katepickle says
LOL my five year old calls them ‘lightsavers’ too.. and was so confused when a relative offered him a lifesaver recently and rather disappointed when they handed over a lolly!
Dani says
My sons would be the dark side because he’s 7 and is just getting into Star Wars and would probably think dark is ” cooler”. I however would choose the light side as I need all the help I can get at the moment plus Harrison Ford is a spunk ??
Danya says
Haha Kate, your question is timely, as my husband and I were just discussing this last night. History is written by the victors, and Star Wars is written from a Jedi point of view. But the light=good and dark=evil paradigm may not be as clear if we were to hear things from a Sith point of view. I can’t help but think of the MacLaren quote “Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”. So, can I choose neither? :)
Ana says
These are awesome! I love that you made them from scratch . Lighting projects are a favorite of mine :) My husband is gonna love them….oops I meant “my kids.” Ha! Can I help it if my husband is a huge Star Wars fan ;)? Thanks for the great project!
Tracy says
Laminating cellophane? You are a genius!!!!
I can see ‘life savers’ (yes, my kids are also adamant that they are called life savers’) in our future – what an awesome activity to kick off the school holidays!
Ours will DEFINITELY power the light side of the force, as both my little ones (7 and 4) still run and hide during the scary parts of 101 Dalmatians, and we still haven’t been able to watch Frozen as the opening scene/music is too scary!
However, chasing each other around in the dark with torches or glow sticks is apparently not scary – just fun, fun, fun so the Light Sabres will be a big hit!
Deborah says
Wow what a great idea having girls would be the light side of the force the girls are very girly and into pretty things so have to be the light side
Belinda Jeffrey says
My boys, aged 6 and 8, would probably end up being one on the dark side and one on the light side. They enjoy playing different characters and they would choose opposing forces so they could battle. The eldest would probably dictate who was to be on which side but they would both get a turn playing each role.
Jade Flynn-O'Brien says
My little brothers light saber would power the dark side of the force because they have cookies.
Tracey says
Lachlan – I want to power the light side because I really like goodies and their lightsabers are the best and I really like their ships and I would be great at flying one
Owen – I want to power the darkside they have double lightsabers.
Kenzie – The dark side because I want to be like that man (pointing at the picture of Noah). Please let me be like that man. Please let me be like that batman!
Ok so should I confess that the only star wars we have ever read or played with is lego star wars! Lol
Kate - The Craft Train says
Very cool project! My girls would LOVE these. Um, I think my lightsaber would be for the good side because I like the goodies best.
Kristie Tatton says
He may be only 3 foot tall
He may be only 2
But that little tyke is full of spark
A light that shines right through.
Full of the force, and full of wit
He has a legion of (facebook) fans
Fighting for the side of good
That’s my little man
Rachael says
These are the coolest!! Will definitely be giving these a go with my two boys who are into anything and everything Star Wars at the moment.
I would have to say that our lightsabres would power the light side. After a tough year with my 9 year old we need some light relief in this house. We are getting there slowly and I’m looking forward to holidays and some lighter hearts and minds as we relax over Summer. May the force be with us…and all of you too x
Rachael says
*lightsabers #autocorrect fail ;)
Fiona says
the dark.
All the fun and no responsibility!! … Well it’s fun to dream that you can do whatever you want and not worry about the consequences as you’re only in it for yourself!! Darker the better!!!
Rachel Dutko says
This is such a great idea!! My 4yo likes the dark side and he tells me he is a Sith and likes to dress up as Darth Vader, but my 2yo likes Yoda ( his dress up costume is so cute!) So I guess I am in the middle of both sides
Jenni-Mae says
In a galaxy far far away we would need to create two lightsabers for the many battles against light and dark that take place. My two boys have their characters sorted and use many, not always particularly safe, found objects around the place at present. The eldest son is always light and the youngest always dark so our lightsabers would be used for both light and dark- both believe they are fighting for a just cause and both believe there is good in everyone. May the force be with you!
[email protected] says
Wow! You are a genius Kate Pickle!!
Sarah says
Duracell gives our lightsabers the ability to power the light and dark force! So beware, it will depend on where our Jedi minds wish to lead us!
Emily Van Der Molen says
It really depends what time of day it is.
An unnaturally chirpy daughter at the crack of dawn each day is hard to bear, so I’d be fighting for the dark side before midday. (Life is all about balance after all.)
However, at around 5pm the dark side decends on our house.
All the fighting, crying and despair over unpacking lunch boxes, having baths and doing homework….Urghhh. Bring us light!!
Noella says
My 3 year old has inherited the star wars gene from his father. It’s all he talks about and he hasn’t seen the movies yet (and not likely too until he’s older if his mummy has any say in it!) But when he plays lightsaber fights with me, he’s always on the dark side (usually Darth Vader), and I’m Luke. That suits me perfectly, I would be much better as a positive, “do good” Jedi anyway! I love your lightsaber Kate, Morgan was very clever!
Laura says
I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she is strong enough and smart enough to achieve whatever her heart desires. Princess Leia is the perfect role model for girls of all ages. She is a great leader but she also knows when she needs her friends to back her up, all marvellous good/light qualities to aspire to. Go team General Leia!
Kate says
Oh we are already on the darkside so it’s too late for us! Darth has definitely enthralled my 7 year old! Love love love this project… now I know why I bought a laminator 2 years ago!
Karen says
My 7 year old absolutely loves Star Wars. He said that he would love to be on the light side to protect people, and so that one day he would hopefully get to use a green light saber!! He wants to make a green light saber using your plan
Deanne says
I would be the light side as there is already enough dark in the world! I could be the hero for all children who are constantly bullied & beaten, as I have children with special needs & it’s extra hard for them!
Cherie says
My lightsaber would power the dark as it’s more fun getting up to mischief on the dark side but having the power of a lightsaber gives you the power to turn to the light side so it’s a win win situation
Rixhelle says
Mine would be good because at home in our 3 way battles mummy has to be green for yoda ( aka the master lol ) blue is for daddy and red is for kayden!! (The 3.5 yr old!!!) my husband and son are starwars crazy! So much so the men are going to the midnight launch next week! And I just deposited 3weeks wages at your stores for xmas prezzies! Starwars Ofcourse oh and a train table!!!
Niki says
My 3 yr old would definitely be powering the dark side. So much anger in such a little package, but still totally loveable!
Pauline Deane says
My Lightsaber would power the light side as there is too much datk side in the world and we need to teach our children make it a better place for our Grand children.
Ruth Marsh says
All four of our household love, love, love Star Wars! My two boys aged 6 &4 watch Star Wars nearly every day. They have Star Wars Lego and Star Wars Lego games.
With the lightsabers they both want to be on the Dark Side of the force.
The Dark Side has force lightning, as well as General Grievous who has 4 arms and 4 lightsabers!
Shellie says
I would chose the dark side because then I could use the power against my kids who are from another Planet and are taking over my life.
Belinda says
We made these today and my boys had so much fun with them. We are going to make some as presents. My eldest boy thanked me for the lightsabers at bedtime saying he thought they were really great and it made my day.
katepickle says
Oh you’ve just made my day too!! So glad you enjoyed them!
Carolyn says
I would have thought the light side for sure and that’s the case for my 8 year old. However for my 6 year old it seems that it’s the dark side – General Grievous is of particular interest because he has FOUR light sabers!!
Sapna says
I would like my lightsaber to power the light side of the force as light is bright & brightness is empowering and shows the way forward but on the other side – the darkness is directionless.
Lisa S says
As a Special Education Teacher and Mum of 2-
I live to see the light in all that I do!
With my lightsaber powering the positivity we all need,
I’ll continue powering my special children to read!