Beautifully simple Paper Lantern Craft Ideas

July 7, 2013

Ever find yourself craving a sprinkle of enchantment on those run-of-the-mill afternoons? Well, here’s a DIY paper lantern craft idea! It’s like we bottled up all the cozy glow from those bedtime stories and sprinkled it right into the living room – can’t get more magical than that.

So, don your fairy godmother tiara, gather those little wizards, and let’s get whisked away into the vibrant world of paper lanterns. What you need is simpler than a grocery list: coloured paper (the prettier, the better!), scissors, glue or tape, and a little sprinkle of your everyday creativity (it’s there, I promise!).

First, let the kids choose their favourite coloured sheets – trust me, this step alone could spark the wildest debates and the goofiest giggles. Then, fold the paper in half like you’re about to embark on a paper airplane adventure. The next step’s a bit of a throwback to your school days – you remember those snip-snip-snip patterns we created in art class? Well, channel that energy, and make rows of cuts along the folded side, careful not to venture to the ends.

Once you’ve completed your snippy masterpiece, open the paper and roll it along the length — imagine you’re making a lovely colourful tunnel. A dab of glue or a piece of tape keeps everything nice and cylindrical. If you’re in an extra whimsical mood, punch or cut out some quirky shapes on another paper, stick it to the lantern, and create storybook-worthy shadows.

Paper Lantern DIY

These paper lantern lights stir up the perfect blend of merry messiness and handmade charm. And when the fairy lights play peek-a-boo through the cut-out patterns, it’s like our ordinary afternoon transformed into a magical twilight adventure. Each paper lantern stories the giggles, the ‘oops’ moments, the creative harmony, and let me tell you, it’s the most luminous décor piece in our home. So, darlings, grab that paper, let the fairy lights twinkle, and light up the magic! ✨🏮

You will need:

Craft Paper: £1 for 100 sheets
Plastic Cups: £1.50 for 100 pack
Double-sided tape: £1.75

All of the above from the ASDA craft section but you can get similar in Hobbycraft, Staples, Amazon etc.

Battery lights: £1.50

Start by cutting the bottom out of your cup and a slit up the side so that you can lay it out as flat as possible. Then trace around the flattened cup on your piece of paper.

Attach a strip of the double side tape to a cup and start wrapping around the paper

Then attach another strip of tape to the cup to stick the end down so your cup is completely wrapped

Repeat as many times as you want (or as many lights as your string lights have) I chose to go for five different colours in sets of three. Cut the end of the cup using a craft knife or the scissors you were already using and push each light through the slit. That’s it, you’re done!