Kids Explore Plastic Mason Jar Bug Catcher Habitat Kit, Made in the USA, BPA-Free

I bought this for my grandson, and he is delighted.

While a cute idea, the jar has a couple of design flaws. First of all, the handle does not want stay on as it should even after I make sure to snap it in place. Secondly, while it is shatter proof, the jar's plastic bends very easily. You'll want to make sure that it's not stepped on. It's a very thin plastic.I like that the jar's lid can be flipped open or screwed off. The lid gives off a nice glow in the dark. Make sure to place it under a lamp or in the sun for a few hours first. The top of the lid is a magnifier which is nice. It makes it easy to observe the bug inside. I also like that there are built in air holes. It does fit a regular mouth mason jar perfectly.

I was disappointed with this whole thing.. I paid $16 for this and it looks like it's worth only $5.. Very cheap looking and cheaply made.. This was for a birthday present and I was embarrassed to give it as a gift...

I need to start this review by saying I have a 15-year-old son and a 5-year-old son. We’re in the throws of summer here in PA, which is lightning bug (aka firefly) season. Little kids and catching lightning bugs tend to go hand in hand. When my oldest was the age of my youngest, he had a really cool lightning bug lamp, which, unfortunately, thinking we weren’t going to have another child, my wife and I gave away. He loved catching lightning bugs in that lamp. We loved helping him and watching him run around catching them. When the first lightning bugs started showing up this year, we wanted to encourage our youngest to have the same experience. My wife and I looked around Amazon and came up with reCAP Kids Explore Bug Catcher. What drew us to it was the price (for what it is), the fact that the body was made of plastic (glass wasn’t an option given our kiddo would be running around on the yard, the sidewalk, the concrete porch and patio, and the paved driveway), and the fact that it had a lid that easily popped open (without having to screw it on or off all the time). My son has had the Jar for over a month now. Here’s what we’ve seen so far.Pros: While other reviewers noted the materials from which the jar is made are flimsy (short of the somewhat thin, plastic handle), I’d have to disagree. Is the jar, lid, and pop-open hatch going to survive a temper tantrum involving a young one flinging the jar at a sidewalk? No, probably not -- then again, not much would. However, it will handle (and has handled) a number of accidental drops on sidewalks and other cement/asphalt surfaces (and subsequent kicks and skittering across said surfaces). To me, that’s fairly sturdy. From top-to-bottom, the glow-in-the-dark top is a nice add (although, when using it at night, you’ll have to “charge” the top by holding it next to a light source before sending your little one out to frolic). The top screws on the jar securely; and, the pop-open top has a sturdy, plastic magnifying glass built in to allow you to see the details of any insects caught (as long as the insect is close to the top of the jar). The handle connects well (via two posts on either side of the lid) and is sturdy enough to be slung around while running. Regarding the thickness of the handle, think inexpensive beach sand bucket and, there you go. It serves its purpose well and snaps off and on, easily. The top screws easily on the jar (with well-executed threads) and won’t fall off while your kiddo runs around (a must where trapping bugs is concerned). The jar is a fairly thick, clear plastic -- think, thickness of a Dasani water bottle (not the less-expensive, thin, easily-crushable water bottles).Cons: My biggest gripe with the jar is the handle. For what it is, it suffices. However, it likely could have been a little thicker. Moreover, the places where the handle "clicks" on to the two posts on either side of the lid could have been slightly less forgiving (i.e., providing a smaller opening on the handle to ensure the handle will definitely stay on the posts until you want them removed). While the handle hasn't fallen off yet (and my son has put it through the paces, believe me), I just think it could have been executed somewhat better.General Comments: Neither a pro or a con in my book, but a nice add just the same, the company included an activity insert that your little one can color/use; and, you can use a code (blurred out in my pic) to download an activity book. For the record, my son had no interest in it. He only wanted to get out with the jar and catch bugs.Recommended Purchase?: I can say, without reservation, that I can recommend the purchase of the reCAP bug catcher. My son has a blast running around the yard catching fireflies; and, my older son and I get to relive our younger days doing the same thing (while, admittedly, running around with him). It’s a true thrill to see him have such a great time. A few neighbors even asked where we got the jar so they could get one for their kids. Please note, I paid the full Amazon price for this purchase and am happy to have done so. If I have any reason to change my review, I’ll do so ASAP. Til then, it’s a solid four-star purchase that will have you and your little one all aglow.

This is cute, but I have several issues with it.One, it is terribly overpriced. It is dollar store quality and composure.Next, the "easy open lid" is not easy to open at all. In a sense, this is a good thing, but as for the 3 year old who is using it, it is a bad thing because he can't open it himself. It latches/clicks to tightly and he can't pry it open.The clear plastic jar is very flimsy, thin plastic.It says the lid will fit any standard mason jar, so there is the option to upgrade, I suppose.The handle pops off the little hook things constantly (it is the same type of hook and loop as a plastic beach bucket handle). Poor little guy is always carrying it by the unattached end of the handle because it just does not stay attached and he gets tired of asking me to fix it and just carries it unattached.After all these downfalls, the 3 year old has fun with it regardless. He likes to catch "monsters" and trap them inside the jar. He does not care about the cost, or how thin (2 liter bottle of soda thin) the jar is. He doesn't even care anymore that the stupid handle keeps falling off. He just like to catch his monsters and he has fun. So, that is the light at the end of the tunnel for me.Hate to sound so mean, but never in a million years would i recommend this to someone for more than a few bucks (as in under 5 bucks!!). Dollar Tree sells bug boxes made of thicker plastic/acrylic and it has a flip top clear magnifying lid, as well. I do not see any reason for this mason jar styled one to be so darn costly. If price doesn't concern you, then have at it.

The grandkids loved it!

Cool little mason jar bug catcher. Looks cool and is very easy to use. I like that the lid glows in the dark. My kids like catching bugs and this really makes a good little jar to catch them in. Has a handle for easier carrying and the top of lid is a magnifying glass to look at your bugs. Pretty cool.

The jar part itself is nothing all that special. Just a plastic jar. About the feel of a plastic water bottle. The lid is where the magic is. The handle goes on and off. The top is magnifying and has holes. It also fits a standard size jar. So, should you find that the plastic jar isn't up to the task, you can stick it on a regular sized mouth jar. (Not wide mouth.) My kids love looking for bugs and holding them temporarily to watch them. You can even put small critters in the jar (lizards, snails, crabs) or small fish since the jar itself is solid.