Summer is still in full swing around here, but the days are getting shorter. To honor those shortened days–or to keep the light around longer–I am posting about a very cool lantern making project I found on the very fresh blog, willowday.com. These lanterns are beautiful, creative and easy to make with your kids. They use LED lights, so you may need to get those. Try Michael’s or McGuckins around Boulder.
Paper Lanterns. These non-flammable, simply beautiful, versatile, paper lights, have been a staple in our summer entertaining — scattered on dinner tables, added to picnic blankets, strung across the patio; they’re even a excellent kid’s craft: the kids have made night lights for their rooms.
After making “night lights” for Grayson’s camping birthday, I just couldn’t stop. My personal current favorite are the ones made of news print. They are just so fresh.
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See? You can hold light in the palm of your hand, if you use LED lights.
Why not do these with your kids and paint each face of the pyramid a different color? Since they’re lit with LED lights, they’re non-flammable and don’t require matches. How cool is that?
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TUTORIAL BELOW
SUPPLIES
Paper: regular, transparent, news print, etc.
LED tea light candles
Scissors
Hole Punch
Scotch tape
HOW TO:
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Francesca and Grayson helped me make this colorful tutorial.
1) Begin by either printing out the template, (PDF TEMPLATE HERE), on your desired colored paper OR print one template which you will use for tracings. I have one cardboard template ready at all times and like to have this handy. For a group of kids or party, having sheets already printed is a time saver.
2) Cut out the lantern shape on desired paper.
3) Punch holes with hole punch.
4) Fold the corners up.
5) Using the longest piece of tape possible, place in on the INSIDE of the box and very, very carefully pull the opposite side up and seal tightly. You do not want light coming out of the edges, so take time to seal these well.
6) Carefully insert the LED candle.
7) Press to light when desired.
I hope these bring beauty tables and even, corners of your home! Enjoy.
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