How to Make a Sky Lantern Balloon
Sky lantern balloons, also known as Chinese flying lanterns, are constructed out of thin paper and lift into the air by the heat given off the wick inside. These miniature hot air balloons were originally used by the Chinese military as a form of distance communication and have been around since 200 AD. Since then, Chinese sky lanterns are now a symbol of luck and used to celebrate holidays and special occasions around the world.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 4 sheets of gift wrap tissue paper
- Paper flame retardant spray
- Scissors
- White craft glue
- Small clean paintbrush
- Lightweight wooden craft hoop
- Florist wire
- Wire cutters
- Cotton balls
- Rubbing alcohol
- Match or candle lighter
Instructions
-
-
1
Hang all of the sheets of tissue paper on a clothesline. Spray with flame retardant spray. Allow the sheets to dry.
-
2
Cut one of the sheets of tissue paper in half by cutting across the middle of the paper making a top and bottom square rather than two tall rectangles.
-
-
3
Cut the remaining sheets of tissue paper in half by cutting the paper from bottom to top making six sheets of tall rectangular papers.
-
4
Lay one sheet of square tissue paper on a clean sheet of newspaper. Apply the glue to the edges making a 1 inch border all the way around the sheet.
-
5
Attach the top edges of the rectangular sheets of tissue paper to the edges of the top piece of the lantern all the way around. Allow drying.
-
6
Pick up the top piece of the lantern by two opposing edges with your finger and thumb of each hand. Allow the sides to drop down so that the glue seam is on the underside of the balloon.
-
7
Brush the side edges of every other piece of tissue paper hanging down from the top of the lantern with glue forming a 1 inch border.
-
8
Fasten the non-glued edges to the glued edges so that you now have an upside down paper bag. Allow drying.
-
9
Cut 14 inches of florist wire. Place the cotton ball in the center of the wire. Wrap the wire around the cotton ball twice. This forms the wick for the lantern.
-
10
Lay the cotton ball in the center of the wooden hoop. Wrap the ends of the wire around opposite ends of the hoop so that the cotton ball is stationary in the center of the hoop.
-
11
Cut another 14 inches of florist wire. Lay the wire on the ground. Set the hoop and cotton ball on the wire so that the wire is under the cotton ball and perpendicular to the first wire. This adds additional strength and support to both the frame and wick.
-
12
Wrap the ends of the second wire around the edges of the wooden hoop. Cut away all excess wire that extends beyond the outer edge of the hoop with wire cutters.
-
13
Brush the outside of the craft hoop with glue. Secure the bottom edges of the tissue paper around the edges of the hoop making a paper balloon. Allow drying.
-
14
Have a friend hold the lantern by its top. Soak the cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Light the cotton ball and allow the heat to fill up the balloon.
-
15
Release the balloon go once it begins to lift upwards on its own.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Lay out several sheets of newspaper to work on to prevent tearing the tissue paper.
This craft project is not recommended for children under 16 years of age.
Do not release sky balloons near crops or within five miles of an airport.
Some states have very specific laws concerning the release of sky lanterns because it is fatal when cows and other grazing animals ingest the wires. Check with your local nearest police station for any laws concerning sky lanterns in your specific state.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
