How to Make a Chinese Lantern With Wire & Cellophane

Chinese culture uses these lanterns for New Years festivities.

The end of the Chinese New Year is marked with the Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Jie. China and various places within the United States are decorated with ornate Chinese Lanterns that hang above sidewalks and streets. While creating a similar lantern takes significant time and skill, you and your children can create a simplified Chinese lantern from construction paper, cellophane and wire. This project is appropriate for any age that can handle white craft glue and scissors.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Cellophane
• White craft glue
• Wire

Instructions

1. Fold a piece of construction paper in half, lengthwise.

2. Cut 10 slits along the fold. Cut carefully to ensure the slits have a uniform length. Unfold the paper.

3. Glue a piece of cellophane to the side of the construction paper with the inside fold. Use white craft glue around the edges and allow the glue to dry before proceeding.

4. Glue both long ends of the construction paper to each other so the cellophane sits inside and the fold points outwards.

5. Cut a strip of construction paper at least six inches in length. Glue this piece to the top of the Chinese lantern. This serves as the lantern's handle.

6. Wrap a wire around the middle of the handle and create a hook at the other end by bending slightly. Hang your lantern in any location where it's easily visible.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Chinese Lantern
• Shirley's Preschool Activities: Chinese Lantern Craft