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Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Chris Butler
Hello crafty friends! Today you’ll learn how to make a camp bucket light and how to personalize it with your Cricut cutting machine.
I cover how to do everything step by step in the video down below. And there are written instructions with pictures too.
Plus I have a free patriotic SVG cut file you can use to personalize your camp bucket if you like. There’s more information at the bottom of the post on how you can get it from my free resource library.
And speaking of patriotic, if you’re looking for more festive things to make and decorate with be sure to check out my 4th of July paper lanterns here.
Alright, let’s get started!
Quick Links to Information in This Post
Camping Bucket Light Supplies Needed
- 5 Gallon White Bucket + Lid
- LED LIghts with Remote
- AAA Batteries
- Oracle 651 Permanent Adhesive Vinyl
- Transfer Paper
- Painters Tape (optional)
- Vinyl Tools
- Alcohol
- Cricut Cutting Machine
- Free Patriotic SVG Cut File to Personalize (available in my resource library)
I found the white five-gallon bucket at Walmart in the paint section. The lid is sold separately, but both bucket and lid cost less than $5.00. Keep in mind I’m in the midwest -like the cheapest area of the country to live and prices will vary by region.
But still, it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to do this craft, and they turn out fantastic.
The best price I found on the LED Puck Lights is at Amazon. These are nice and big, plus you can put them underwater if you want. They have multiple colors you can set via the remote. Plus they’ll strobe and blink and are super bright. All around great purchase.
And make sure you use permanent adhesive vinyl as your bucket will be outside. The best brand is oracle 651 and Expressions Vinyl always has great prices here.
How to Make Light Up Buckets Video
Be sure to check out the step by step instruction in my Camping Bucket Lights Video
Camping Bucket Light Instructions
The first thing you’ll need to do is get your free SVG cut design. You can access all of my free SVG files in the resource library here.
Step 1 Personalize the Camp Bucket SVG
When you upload it to design space it will be sized around 8″x8″ which is the size I use for my buckets. You can click the ungroup button to separate the design elements and move them around as you want.
You’ll need to add your last name to the design. To do that click on text on the left menu and type your name into the text box.
You can choose the font you want on the top menu. If you need more help with fonts or with script text, be sure to see this post on text editing tips in Design Space.
After you have your name in and everything the way you want it, be sure to select everything and click the attach button on the bottom right of the layers menu. This will keep everything in place when you cut the SVG file.
Step 2 Cut the Patriotic Camp Bucket Design
Next place your vinyl onto the cut mat and load it into your Cricut machine to be cut. Don’t forget to set your dial to vinyl!
After it’s finished cutting ‘weed’ the design with your Cricut tool to remove all of the extra vinyl.
Next, add transfer paper and then you’re ready to transfer the design to your white 5-gallon bucket. I prefer to use clear contact paper for all of my transfers. You can pick it up at Walmart in the shelving liner section.
Step 3 Transfer Your Design to Your Camp Bucket
Ok so before you transfer you’ll want to grab some alcohol and clean off the bucket really good. This will help the vinyl stick and stay stuck to the bucket.
For bigger designs like this one, I use the hinge method to transfer the vinyl. Place a piece of painters tape down the center of the vinyl transfer and stick it to the bucket.
Now you can lift just one side of the vinyl transfer and carefully remove the backing. This helps keep control of the vinyl decal and stops it from getting stuck in a place we don’t want it.
Once the backing is removed, hold that side of the decal out at an angle and use your Cricut scraper tool in your other hand to start smoothing down the decal.
After you have that side down you can remove the yellow tape down the center. Remove the backing from your vinyl decal on the other side and repeat the process.
Once both sides of the decal are down, burnish (rub super hard) it really well with your scraper tool and then remove the transfer tape.
Step 4 Add the LED Puck Lights to Your Bucket
Now for the fun part! Place one of the LED Puck Lights in the bucket. Use the remote to turn on the light and set it to the color you want.
You can set the light to strobe or change through all of the colors too.
Place the lid back on the white camp bucket and enjoy your new personalized camping light.
Get Your Free Patriotic SVG for Camp Buckets
I keep all of my free SVG files in a resource library for your convenience. The library is free to subscribers of my newsletter. When you sign up the link and password to the library will arrive in your inbox right away.
Once you’re in the library you’ll find all SVG files listed in alphabetical order. This particular SVG is named Camp Bucket Light in the library.
Fill out the simple form for exclusive access to all of my SVG files
All of my free SVG files and Designs are kept in a library for your convenience. We will send you the link and password right away, and you’re free to use all the resources you want in the library.
Already have the password? (It’s at the bottom of every email) Enter the Library Here
Chris Butler has helped thousands of crafters learn how to use their Cricut machine without feeling overwhelmed. She is a best selling author and an up and coming designer. For fun Chris enjoys designing SVG Files, hanging out with her family (preferably at the lake), traveling, and volunteering at her church. She is a wife and mom of two crazy fun kids.
Shaen says
Super Cute! Such a great simple fun activity Good job!
Tori says
What a fun idea!!! My ten y/o just saw this and wants to make one 😁
Nickie says
I love it! Can’t wait to make my own! This is something we have been hearing about for a short while now. But in each DIY instructions that we’ve looked at, it shows to use a wired light. I love the idea of the battery light, especially the waterproof part. I do have a question. Is the light very bright at night? Can you share pictures of your bucket at night with a couple different colors? Thank you so much for all you do and share!
Maria L McDonald says
What font did you use for the name?
Such a fun project.. Going to make some for some friends for the 4th. Thanks for the great SVG
Shelly says
When you order your light puck and remote are you ordering the (4) pack of pick lights? If you are ordering the (4) pack of puck lights, did the order also come with (4) remotes? I would like to make some of these for friends and they would obviously need their own remote for each puck light. If this is not the case, are you aware of a place to order 1 puck light and 1 remote?
Chris says
Hi Shelly! Yes I got the 4 pack and it also came with 4 remotes.
Beth says
On the video, it looked like during the transfer tape application that you had cut a mirrrored design—do you cut it straight out or do we need to mirror it? Thanks!
Chris Butler says
It was straight, not mirrored. I had to switch between my camera and phone for that video because I was having issues and I think part of it with my phone showed a mirror image and I didn’t catch it.
Eileen says
Did you anchor the puck light in place at the bottom of the bucket with something? Was thinking tape, glue gun or E600, any suggestions?
Thanks, love this idea. Not just for camping, but front/back porches, storms and power outages. Great idea!!
Chris Butler says
Hi Eileen! No, I didn’t anchor mine, but you totally could!