Ping Pong Ball Lights


Christmas lights are the best. I used to have colored lights all around my bedroom when I was little. Those same lights hung all around Nick's apartment in college and then in our apartment this past Christmas. I just think they make a room feel warm, cozy, and inviting.

A few months ago I saw this pin about covering Christmas lights with ping pong balls (genius, right?) We decided to make a set of our own, and let me tell you... this is probably the quickest and easiest project we've ever done. 


Want to make a set for your home? Here's what you need!
- String of Christmas lights
- Ping pong balls
- Xacto knife

Here's what you do!
- Using your Xacto knife, carefully cut a small X in a ping pong ball.


- Push a light through the X as far as it will go.


- Repeat with your remaining lights and you're done!


Hope you're having an unseasonably warm Saturday like we are :)

Sarah & Nick

EDIT 5/25/17: This post was originally published in February 2014. We no longer have these lights, as we cleaned out our apartment extensively when we moved and didn't see a need for them anymore. We've received a few comments saying that ping pong balls are extremely flammable, but we had no issues with these lights whatsoever when we were using them. I would recommend using LED lights (which generate less heat) if overheating is of concern to you. We are not experts or DIY professionals, but wanted to share that we had no issues with this project. Thanks for reading!

24 comments

  1. So fun! Glad you did it too :) Thanks for the mention! :)

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  2. I love this. Going to the store now for ping pong balls. :)

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  3. What a good idea!
    These look just as good as pre-made ones, and probably quite a bit cheaper
    x

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  4. Replies
    1. there are many kinds of string lights for home on Amazon! Please check Innoo tech Brand!

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  5. Did you use Led lights so they won't get too hot and burn? Did you just put the bulb in or the whole piece? Thanks.

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    1. Hi! We didn't use LED lights, but ours don't seem to get too hot. If that's a concern, you could definitely use LEDs or just make sure not to leave the lights on for extended periods of time. We put the entire light in the ping pong ball so that no part of the bulb is touching the ball. Thanks!

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  6. Great idea. My family will think I'm a genius. Thanks for the idea.

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  7. Great idea. My family will think I'm a genius. Thanks for the idea.

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  8. OMG! My daughter has been wanting these lights in her room....we will just sneak the ping pong balls from her brothers room to make these!! LOL

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  9. I too LOVE this idea....!
    Thanks so much for sharing how you did it!

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  10. I love this for outside too ...maybe just add another hole on the opposite side to let water drain out. We make a "tree" out of our light post every year with green lights... adding a few of these to look like ornaments would be cool. Change out some of the lights to different colors. yay... cool idea thanks!

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  11. Ping Pong Balls are EXTREMELY flammable.

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  12. As much as I love this idea -- it is just so darn cute -- I have to agree with Anne Wright -- Ping Pong balls are EXTREMELY flammable. That's because they are made of celluloid, just like old-time movie film. So, enjoy your lights, but bear in mind that if they burn they will burn hard and fast. P.S. I still think you're genius. :)

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    1. Thanks for your concern, but we haven't had any issues with our bulbs!

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  13. how does the light stay in the ball?

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    1. Hi Shelly,

      Since you are just cutting a small X in the ball, the light fits in snugly. Just make sure to push the light in far enough so the plastic is touching the ball rather than the bulb itself.

      Thanks for reading!

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  14. Hey I don't know about you but I can cut myself with a butter knife. I did this with the little red solo cups but I used a hot glue gum to make the hole and then used the glue to keep them in place. Anything that you can melt with a glue gun can now be lights think outside the box. The dollar stores have all kinds of plastic cups and wine glasses that the bottom snap on. Get down with your bad self and go crazy.

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    1. Hi Peggy - thanks for your comment! That's a smart idea to melt stuff with a glue gun. I haven't thought of that before! The possibilities are endless!

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  15. Hey, what's the maximum amount of time you should leave these lights on? and are they safe for patio lights?

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    1. Hi Edith,

      To be completely honest, I don't know. We made these lights about 3 and a half years ago and got rid of them last year when we moved. I'm NOT an expert, but I would say that if you use LED lights (which don't generate as much heat) that you could leave these on for a couple hours. I would keep an eye on them and use your own judgment. These lights should be safe for a patio as long as you use indoor/outdoor lights. Sorry I can't be of more help!

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