Kids Crafts: Chinese Lantern

Making a Chinese paper lantern is a fun, simple craft for children, which can also make a beautiful decoration for Chinese New Year parties. Younger children can use construction paper and clear tape, while older children and adults will get better and more attractive results with origami paper and glue. Other materials needed for all ages include scissors, a ruler and decorative cord such as ribbon or yarn for hanging, either separately or in a line to create a strand or garland or lanterns. Lanterns can be lit using battery-operated LED tea lights, found online or at your local craft store. The paper can be embellished with paint or stickers, and the cord can be ornamented with decorative knots, and gold or silver coins and charms.

Start with one sheet of 8½" x 11" construction paper or 9" x 9" origami paper. Fold the paper in half (lengthwise for construction paper so that it becomes 4¼"x11"). Using the ruler as a guide, cut slits through both thicknesses of the paper starting at the fold and stopping 1 inch from the opposite edge. Cut one slit every half an inch, until the entire length of the paper has been cut. Unfold the paper.

Turning the paper the opposite direction, gently bend the paper to make a cylinder. Overlap the half inch edges and secure with tape or glue (clamp with clothes pins or paper clips until dry). Cut 3 half inch strips from a second piece of paper. Affix the first across the top of the lantern to form a handle, by gluing or taping the ends of the strip to the inside or the top edge of the lantern. Secure the other two strips into the shape of an "X" using your adhesive. When dry, glue the edges inside the bottom of the lantern, so that the X forms a base. This is where you will place the tea light.

To create a free-hanging lantern, simply loop a 12" strand of yarn or ribbon through the handle of the lantern and tie the ends. For a garland of 6 lanterns, cut a strand of yarn 6 inches longer the desired length of the garland (add one additional inch per lantern if using more than 6), for instance, 6 feet 6 inches. Tie one lantern handle every 12 inches. If desired, hang a decorative knot or tassel from the bottom of each lantern.