Chinese paper lanterns have a very ancient tradition, dating back to the times of the Eastern Han dynasty, when they were used to worship Buddha. Today, they are used during the Lantern Festival to celebrate the last day of the Chinese New Year. Building a lantern is easy, and even if yours won't light up, it will look as beautiful and unique as traditional ones.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Create a Simple Lantern
Step 1. Get a sheet of construction paper
The size does not matter, but it must be rectangular. However, you will be better off with a sheet of about 20 x 25 cm.
- For a traditional lantern, choose red cardstock.
- If you want to create a custom lantern, you can choose the color you prefer.
Step 2. Cut a 2.5 cm strip from one of the short sides
Use ruler and pencil to draw a line all the way across the paper, 2.5cm from one of the short sides. Cut the strip with scissors, then set it aside.
- This strip will become the handle of the lantern.
- For a longer handle, cut the strip from one of the long sides.
Step 3. Fold the paper in half lengthwise
This fold is also known as "hot dog". Make sure you line up the long sides. Keep the paper folded, without opening it.
Run your nails back and forth over the crease to mark it well
Step 4. Make cuts in the crease, stopping 2.5cm from the edge
Draw a horizontal line across the sheet, 2.5cm from the top edge. Next, make cuts on the lower folded side. Each cut must be the same width and must not exceed the horizontal line you drew.
- Make the cuts about 2.5 cm apart. Start and finish 2.5 cm from the side edges of the paper.
- Erase any pencil marks you've made once you've finished cutting the paper.
Step 5. Open the paper, roll it up into a cylinder, then secure it with staples
Start by opening the sheet. Bring the short sides together, then overlap them for 2.5 cm, to form a cylinder. Secure the sheet with staples at the top and bottom so it doesn't unwind.
- Make sure the fold is outward and not inward. If you squeeze the lantern in your hands, the cuts should open like a flower.
- You can also use the glue stick to secure the cylinder, but you will need to use staples to hold the paper in place until the glue has dried.
Step 6. Attach both sides of the 2.5cm strip to the top of the lantern
Take the strip you cut earlier. Attach one end to the top edge of the lantern. Overlap it on the cardboard for about 2.5 cm, then secure it with a staple. Bring the other end to the opposite side of the lantern, overlap it again for 2.5 cm on the cardboard, then fix that too.
- Make sure you attach both ends of the handle to the top of the lantern, not the top and bottom. They should be on opposite sides of the card.
- To get a more beautiful lantern, fix the ends of the handle inside the cardboard.
- You can also use glue sticks for this step, but you'll need to hold the handle with staples until the glue has dried.
Method 2 of 2: Create a Two-Color Lantern
Step 1. Get two sheets of paper of two different colors
You will use one of the colors for the exterior of the lantern, the other for the interior. Cardboard is the most suitable material, but you can also use cardboard.
- For a traditional lantern, use red for the outside and gold for the inside.
- You can also use red for the exterior or yellow for the interior.
Step 2. Cut a 2.5 cm strip from the short side of both sheets
Use a pencil and ruler to draw a line along the first sheet, 2.5cm from one of the short sides. Cut the strip and set it aside. Repeat with the second sheet.
When you are done, you should have two strips of construction paper 2.5 cm wide
Step 3. Cut two 2.5 cm strips from the long side of one of the sheets
Choose one of the cards for the inside of the lantern. Cut two strips 2.5 cm wide from one of the long sides. Set them aside for later.
- Do not cut a single 5 cm strip. You can think of saving time, but in reality you will only have more work to do later.
- Do not cut the other sheet of cardstock, which must remain the original size.
- If necessary, use a pencil and ruler to draw lines along which to make cuts.
Step 4. Overlap the short sides to form a cylinder, then secure them with staples or glue
Take the paper you just cut. Join the short sides and overlap them about 2.5cm to create a tube. Secure the tube with staples at the top and bottom so it doesn't unwind, then set it aside.
You can also use glue sticks. Use staples to hold the paper in place until the glue has dried
Step 5. Fold the larger sheet in half, like a hot dog
Take the second sheet of construction paper, the one that will form the outside of the lantern. Fold it in half lengthwise to join the long sides.
Run your nails along the crease a couple of times to mark it well
Step 6. Make 2.5cm cuts along the fold, stopping 2.5cm from the top edge
Use a pencil and ruler to draw a horizontal line along the paper, 2.5cm from the top free edge. Next, make vertical cuts on the bottom folded side, stopping at the horizontal line.
- Make the first and last cut 2.5 cm from the side edges of the sheet. All other cuts also need to be 2.5cm away from each other.
- Do not cut beyond the horizontal line or at the crease.
- If necessary, draw guidelines for the cuts. Make sure you erase all the marks once you're done.
Step 7. Open the sheet and roll it into a cylinder
Start by opening the sheet. Join the short sides together, then overlap them for 2.5 cm to form a tube. Secure it with staples at the top and bottom so it doesn't unwind.
- Make sure the tube is large enough to slide over the one you made earlier.
- You can use glue instead of dots. In this case, hold the paper firmly with staples until the glue dries.
- The fold should be facing outward, not inward. If you squeeze the lantern, the fringes should come apart.
Step 8. Insert the first cylinder into the second, then secure the top sides with staples
Take the first tube you made and slide it inside the second. Line up the top sides, then secure them with tape, staples, or glue.
- The outer tube will be longer than the inner one. In the next step you will solve the problem.
- The pipe with the cuts should be on the outside.
- Make sure the side folds are aligned so the lantern looks better.
Step 9. Align and staple the undersides of the lanterns
Push the underside of the outer lantern until it is aligned with the underside of the inner one. Secure the two sides with glue or dots, as before.
This way, the outer layer should open up, revealing the inside of the lantern
Step 10. Use one of the shorter strips to make the handle
Take one of the shorter strips you cut at the beginning of the project. Staple both ends at the top of the lantern to create a handle, making sure to overlap the paper by 2.5cm.
- It doesn't matter which stripe color you use for this step. You can use the color of the external or internal lantern.
- It doesn't matter if you attach the handle to the outside or inside of the lantern, because in the next step you will cover it.
Step 11. Wrap the longer strips around the bottom and top edges
Take one of the long strips you cut earlier from the inner lantern. Coat the inside of the strip with glue, then stick it around the top of the lantern, making sure to line up the edges. Repeat with the second strip at the bottom of the lantern.
Advice
- Decorate the lantern with glitter glue or sequins. You can do this on the strips or on the edges.
- Attach colored tape to the edges of the lantern to make it look more beautiful. If you prefer, you can use a cloth ribbon or strips of paper.
- Cut streamers 30-35cm long, then glue them to the inside of the bottom edge of the lantern.
- For a prettier lantern, use decorative scissors to make the cuts. You can also alternate the width of the strips, making some of them narrower.
- For a more traditional look, hang the lantern from the ceiling or a stick with string.
