23 Garden Hacks Using Dollar Tree Solar Lights

There is always some new Dollar Tree product that breaks the internet with the sheer number of genius hacks, crafts, and DIYs people dream up using the item. But the store also has evergreen products that stand the test of time as being some of the most affordable and versatile items on the market. One such item you can count on hitting shelves every spring and summer is Dollar Tree's popular solar light selection. 

Despite Dollar Tree hiking its prices on some products, it still offers many household staples at its (new) base price of $1.25. Thankfully, that price is holding strong on its solar lights, though the store does offer other solar light varieties at higher prices up to $5. Still, even among its base price solar lights, there are several styles to choose from so you can get the exact look you want in your yard. Dollar Tree also has an entire section of solar lanterns, and it offers seasonal light varieties like pumpkin and sunflowers along with whimsical lights resembling rocks, flowers, and mushrooms. There are so many ways to use these little lights to illuminate your garden, lawn, patio — any outdoor space where you want to shed some light without adding to your energy bill. Here are over 20 ideas to spark inspiration and provide you with a (solar) lightbulb moment for your next outdoor DIY.

Grab a few solar lights, some clear, decorative bowls, hot glue sticks, and some faux florals all from Dollar Tree to make this glowing outdoor plant stand. Detach the solar lights from their stakes and glue the lights in the middle of the bowls as desired. Then glue the bowls together to create glowing orbs that stack on top of each other. Once your plant stand reaches your desired height, glue a bowl on top for your faux floral arrangement (real flowers with soil may be too heavy for this stand.)

Take light wherever you need it with a solar light and Quikrete. The fast-drying concrete serves as a portable base for the solar light. Make the base using an empty, disposable food container, like a Cup Noodles or Rice-A-Roni cup. Fill the cup with a thick mixture of Quikrete, then place the light stake in the Quikrete. Use painter's tape over the cup to secure the light upright while it dries. Once it sets, discard the tape and food container and enjoy your portable solar lamp.

This Dollar Tree broom hack will light up your backyard for summer. Broom handles make excellent stake extenders for solar lights, so pick up as many broomsticks from Dollar Tree as you have solar lights — the store even carries faux flame lights. Then, remove the end cap on the broom and slot the light stake into the broom handle, and voila! Instant backyard tiki torch. You may need to dig a hole to secure the broomstick into the ground, or you can zip tie them to a fence.

Use flower solar lights from Dollar Tree to make a gorgeous glowing floral arch for your backyard decor. Create the arch by connecting two broomsticks with half of a hula hoop, then cover the frame with green pool noodles. Wrap faux foliage and florals around the arch, securing with zip ties as you go, then stick the flower solar lights into the foam, reinforcing with hot glue if desired. The solar lights by themselves will give off a subtle, whimsical glow, and you can add some white holiday string lights for extra light.

You can get everything you need for this DIY from Dollar Tree: a solar light, hanging wire basket, and a decorative bowl. First, superglue the solar light to the middle of the bowl, then place the bowl inside the wire basket. Make a few of these to hang on hooks around your deck or on standing planter hooks in the garden for a beautiful floating glow throughout your outdoor space.

Make chic and unique lantern string lights using Dollar Tree basics. You'll need a wire plant hanger, rose gold pencil cups, and copper top solar lights. If you can't find copper lights, you can always paint regular solar light tops to match. Remove the light stakes and use a wire cutter to cut an opening in the bottom of the pencil cup mesh so the light base fits snugly inside. You can use the hanging chain from a Dollar Tree plant hanger, jute cord, or wire to string the lanterns together.

This rustic solar light centerpiece will be a beautiful and practical addition to any outdoor patio space. Take a 4-by-4 wooden board and cut it to your desired size. Then, decide on how many lights you want to place in a row along the board, and mark where you want each one. Take the stakes off of the lights and make sure to match your drill bit to the light width, then drill holes in the board for your lights. Sand and stain the board before slotting in the lights.

This hack turns Dollar Tree candle holders into luxe-looking solar lights, and it couldn't be simpler — or cheaper. Pick up a few Dollar Tree candlestick holders and remove the stakes from your solar lights, then hot glue the lights to the candle holders. Place them on a coffee or dining table, around the deck railing, or let them serve as portable ground lighting in the garden. You can spray paint the candle holder to suit your style, or use Dollar Tree's flower solar lights for a whimsical touch.

A fun faux flower arrangement by day, and a portable light basket by night, this DIY will play double duty in your garden. To make your sunflower light basket, you'll need a few sunflower solar lights, a cute basket or bucket, a few blocks of floral foam, and additional faux sunflowers, florals, and foliage — all available at Dollar Tree. Place the foam in the basket and position the sunflower lights first, followed by the faux foliage. This basket gives your garden a pop of color (and light) from morning to night.

If you have an old chandelier hanging around, solar lights can transform it into ethereal outdoor lighting. All you have to do is remove the light stakes from the solar lights and glue them in the light bulb sockets in the chandelier. Hang it on a tree to create an inviting fairytale garden when the sun sets each day. To keep your chandelier glowing, you can make your Dollar Tree solar lights to last longer with a simple step — just replace the rechargeable battery underneath the solar panel.

This broomstick lamppost adds whimsical lighting to your garden. Take two metal brackets with hooks from Dollar Tree, glue them to the broomstick, and zip tie them for extra support. Glue a solar lantern to the top of the post — the Garden Collection Solar Lantern works well for this project since the hollow faux candle can rest over the broomstick. Alternatively, the Solar Metal Hook Lantern stake can slot into the broomstick for a shepherd's hook lamppost. Glue matching lanterns to the bracket shelf and hang two more from the hooks if desired.

Got a cute little lamp that doesn't go with your decor anymore? It may make the perfect outdoor lighting accent for your garden patio. A good lamp contender for this upcycle will have a base fitting or fixed grimble fitting lampshade, where the wire supports go down inside the shade to connect to the lamp socket base so the solar light has an unobstructed view of the sun, but other lampshade fittings can still work. Cut off the electrical cord and hot glue the solar light in the light bulb socket.

Did you know Dollar Tree also has triangular solar step lights? While they are great for illuminating stairs, you can also use them to create a hanging sconce with just a few Dollar Tree supplies. Take three step lights and adhere them to three of the store's hanging signs with hot glue or super glue. Use twine to string them together vertically and hang them on an outdoor wall or pillar for extra light.

An outdoor light fixture made completely out of Dollar Tree supplies? Yes, please! First, pick out your favorite solar light lantern with a handle — you'll need eight of them. Then, grab a hula hoop, long black zip ties, and a plant hanger. Paint the hula hoop black, then disconnect the light handles to hang on the hoop (you may need to hot glue the handle back on). Use the zip ties to connect the plant hanger to the hula hoop and also to secure the lanterns in place.

If you want to add just a little extra height to your solar light stakes, Dollar Tree plungers are just the ticket. Take the stakes out of your lights and paint the plunger handles your desired color (Tip: Leave the plunger part connected while you paint for easy upright drying!) Once dry, shave down the threaded side of the plunger handle so it fits more snugly inside the solar light base. After you glue them together, wrapping the connection with decorative jute will reinforce it while also giving your lights added style.

Make the most of your solar light by making an all-glass outdoor lamp using glassware from Dollar Tree. There are endless combinations to make your lamp — combine margarita glasses, vases, bowls, or whatever else you want to create a unique and modern lamp that will allow the solar light to shine totally unencumbered. If glass is too much of a liability for you, plasticware from Dollar Tree works just as well. For even more glow, experiment with adding clear glass gems in the glassware to reflect the light even more.

Want to give your pathway lights a natural touch? Ditch the plastic and opt for a stick stake instead. Go foraging in the yard for solid sticks that are sturdy enough to support a solar light and stay put in the ground. A little finessing may be needed to fit the light onto the stick, and some rustic twine can come to the rescue to hide the connection. You can also spray paint your light for a more rustic vibe. Most Dollar Tree solar lights disassemble fairly easily, just be careful!

Solar light lanterns and a plant hanger chain are all you need from Dollar Tree to give your garden an otherworldly feel. Simply hook three lanterns to the chain with its hooks, then hang it on a tree branch. Make a few of these to scatter around your garden to really give it an enchanting vibe. Many Dollar Tree solar lanterns have an 'On' switch, however, so make sure they are on before completing your project for ease of use.

Dollar Tree often carries beautiful colored glass jars with handles which make perfect solar light globes. Glue the light inside the jar and hang them up. They make a unique alternative to regular solar light stakes for pathways — just hang them along a path using garden hooks. Can't find the color you want? Use this hack to transform a mason jar into that sea glass look in any color with just some Mod Podge and food coloring. You can also fill a clear jar with colored glass gems for a similar effect.

Dollar Tree carries its own style of Solar Mushroom Yard Stake Lights, but if you would rather make your own, just head to the thrift store. Old light globes from light fixtures can turn a regular solar light into a chic mushroom garden display. The light globes have an opening at the top where they connected to the light fixture and lightbulb socket — perfect for giving solar lights plenty of sun. Superglue the solar lights inside the globes and stick them along your path for a unique twist on the mushroom trend.

By now hopefully you're convinced that solar lights don't have to be boring, and one easy way to give yours a luxe glow up is by adding mirror sticker sheets around the base of the light. Dollar Tree sometimes carries these stickers, but most craft stores should have them in an easy-to-use sheet so you can just cut them to size and stick them on in one fell swoop — no individual sticking required. Use superglue for a stronger hold, and let these luxe lights glam up your next garden party.

Add minimalist, modern lighting around your deck or patio using a humble Cooking Concepts Wire Napkin Holder. The inner crescent detail on this holder is the perfect size for a solar light to slot right inside. Plus, the holder's rainbow shape will attach easily to a wall or deck railing using screws, nails, or zip ties. Alternatively, you can attach the napkin holder to a Dollar Tree sign, wooden cutting board, or decorative mirror and hang your light anywhere you want.

Whether you want to make your home address more visible, or you want to identify areas of your garden at night, solar lights can help. One easy way to illuminate your address is by sticking the numbers to solar lights and placing them in a faux planter to sit on your porch or by the mailbox. If you need to light up a garden sign or address numbers on a wall, attach a step light to the sign or wall for a functional glow every night.