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Chinese Lantern-Craft for Kids

January 19, 2012
Materials:
  • Construction paper
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Stapler - Tape
  • Markers - Crayons

Instructions:
  1. Use the ruler and make a straight line about 3/4" away from one of the 6.5" long edges. Cut this strip off and set it aside to be the lantern handle.
  2. Fold the piece of paper in half, lengthwise, making sure you line up all the edges.  Draw a line along the open, long edge, of the paper, about 3/4" of an inch from the edge.
  3. Color the folded paper--this will become the outside of the lantern.
  4. Take your scissors and, starting at the folded edge, cut a strip from the folded edge up to the line you drew. Make the first strip about 3/4" away from one of the short edges and continue to cut several strips along the piece of paper like shown in the picture above.
  5. To assemble the lantern simply roll the paper into a tube shape as shown in the photo above and staple or tape the edges together.
  6. Using the strip you cut in the beginning, attach the handle by taping or stapling the ends of the strip of the paper just inside the top of the lantern.

Your completed lanterns can be hung up or set on a table for decoration.

These lanterns are only for decorative purposes and should not be used near open flames such as candles.