DIY Hanging Paper Lantern
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I love making paper crafts, so I had to try this DIY Hanging Paper Lantern. Creating your own paper lantern is a fun and easy craft that adds a beautiful, festive touch to any space.
Whether you’re decorating for a special occasion or simply want to add a pop of color to your home, this project is a great way to get creative with just a few simple materials. With construction paper, scissors, and some glue, you can make a beautiful lantern in no time.
Here’s how to make your own handmade paper lantern!
Supplies Needed:
- Colored construction paper (we used red and yellow)
- Scissors
- Decorative scissors
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Eraser
DIY Paper Lantern Step-By-Step Video
Below is a full video of this craft. I have written step-by-step directions for the major steps below too!
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Instructions:
Prepare the Base Paper
Take one sheet of colored construction paper (we used red) and trim 1 inch off the shorter side. Set this strip aside for later.
Fold the remaining paper half lengthwise (like a hot dog fold).
Mark and Cut the Slits
Using a ruler and pencil, draw a 1-inch margin along the unfolded long edge.
With regular scissors, cut 1-inch wide slits starting from the folded edge up to the pencil line. You should end up with about 12 cuts across the paper.
Erase the pencil line, then unfold the paper.
Create Decorative Strips
Take another sheet of construction paper (we used yellow) and cut two 1-inch strips from the short side.
Using decorative scissors, trim one long edge of each strip to add a stylish border.
Assemble the Lantern
Glue the decorative strips along the top and bottom edges of the red paper. Trim any excess for a clean finish.
Fold the paper into a cylinder shape and glue the short ends together to form the lantern body.
Attach the Handle
Use the red 1-inch strip you set aside earlier as the handle. Glue each end inside the top edge of the lantern.
Create the Lantern Base
Place the lantern over a piece of yellow construction paper and trace the base to create a circle.
Cut out the circle and glue it to the bottom of the lantern for added stability.
And that’s it! Your colorful DIY paper lantern is ready to display. Hang it up or place an LED tealight inside for a soft glow!
Isn’t it amazing what you can create with just paper!? We love this craft, and we hope you do too.
