How to Build a Flying Lantern
Light up the sky with flying lanterns at your next party or family gathering. You can build a flying lantern using mostly household items. Flying lanterns operate much like a hot-air balloon.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Lightweight, flame-resistant paper (at least 48 inches high and 16 to 20 inches wide)
- Heavy paper such as a file folder (at least 48 inches high and 16 to 20 inches wide)
- Ethanol (approximately 1/8 cup; enough to saturate the cotton)
- Cotton (10 grams)
- Candle
- Copper wire (two pieces, 20 inches long)
- Aluminum foil (4 x 4 inches)
- Soda can or tin can (cut down to approximately 2 inches high)
- Bamboo strips (48 inches long, 1 centimeter wide, 0.1 centimeter thick)
- Glue or rubber cement
- Masking tape
- Small square piece of cardboard (4 x 4 inches)
Instructions
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1
Use a sharp knife to cut bamboo into a strip 48 inches long, 1 centimeter wide and 0.1 centimeter thick. Bamboo should be thin enough to bend easily but not break.
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2
Bend a strip of bamboo into a circle, connecting the ends with masking tape. If the bamboo will not bend easily, heat it over an open flame such as a candle for a few seconds until you feel the bamboo become flexible.
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3
Form an "x" with two copper wires, each 20 inches long. Wrap the ends of the wire around the bamboo circle. Wrap the square piece of cardboard with aluminum foil and attach it to the center of the "x" with tape or glue.
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4
Create a cup of aluminum foil approximately 2 inches high and 3 inches in diameter by creating a flat bottom and folding the sides up and in. You can also cut an aluminum or tin can down to approximately 2 inches high. Attach the cup to the cardboard square with glue or tape.
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5
Use heavy paper/file folder to create a template for the shape of the flame-resistant paper. Cut the template into a shape that resembles a hot air balloon, curved (but not completely round) on all sides with a straight edge at the bottom. The final product should be no less than 12 inches wide at the bottom. Use the template to create four sides out of the flame-resistant paper. Glue the sides together, barely overlapping the sides to create a somewhat rounded cube or column. Fold the tops over to slightly overlapping and glue together. The bottom is left open. Let dry for at least one hour.
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6
Attach the bottom of the paper lantern made up of the four straight-edged sides to the bamboo circle with with glue or tape with the heat source facing inside. Let dry for one hour.
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7
Soak the cotton in ethanol and place it in the aluminum foil/tin can cup. The cotton should be saturated, but not dripping. You may not use all the ethanol. Find an open space to fly the lantern. Hold the lantern and ask a friend to light the cotton or candle(s) for you. Let the lantern go when the sides feel warm or you feel the lantern lift off.
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Tips & Warnings
You may also use several birthday candles attached by hot wax directly on the "x" of copper wire, skipping the cardboard platform and aluminum cup. If you cannot find flame-resistant paper, you may be able to treat paper with a flame-resistant spray.
An 1/8 cup of ethanol is an estimated amount to soak the cotton. Use your best judgment. The cotton should be saturated, but not dripping. Never leave children unsupervised around fire or sharp objects. Fly lanterns in open spaces away from houses, trees and power lines. Never leave a burning lantern unattended. Flying lanterns are fire hazards and should be handled responsibly and cautiously.
