Make Paper Lanterns for the Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year by making your own paper lanterns with riddles.
The Lantern Festival signifies the end of the Chinese New Year celebration and falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. There are many theories surrounding the origin of the Lantern Festival, but it is a widespread custom throughout China and other parts of Asia. This day is typically spent with family enjoying food such as yuanxiao (rice dumplings), taking in lion dances and other performances, as well as amazing displays of lanterns in the streets.
Kids participate in the Lantern Festival by carrying paper lanterns of their own. Riddles are also a big part of the tradition. Lantern makers attach riddles to their creations and those who guess the answers correctly get little prizes. Celebrate the Lantern Festival at home by creating your own paper lanterns!
Materials
Directions
Measure and cut off a 1" strip of paper from the short side of the construction paper. This will serve as the lantern handle. Fold the remaining paper in half.
Fold the remaining paper in half.
Measure another 1'' horizontal line at the cut end of the paper (opposite the folded end) and mark it with your pencil so that you have a line all the way across the bottom edge of the paper. This line signifies where you stop cutting in the next step.
Measure and vertical draw lines approximately 1'' apart, starting at the folded edge and ending at the “stop cutting” line. Carefully cut the vertical lines, ending at the “stop cutting” line.
Unfold the paper and re-crease it in the opposite direction. The pencil marks will now be on the inside.
Lay the unmarked side facing up and decorate as you please. Or leave the paper completely plain if you'd prefer to make bright and colorful lanterns!
Shape the lantern by securing the long ends with tape or staples.
Secure the handle on top with tape or staples.
Write riddles directly on the lantern or use small pieces of paper that can be secured to the lantern.
Hang the lanterns with string from your ceiling or tie them to the end of sticks for kids to (carefully) carry around. Enjoy all year round by decorating your next party with colorful lanterns!
Original craft idea by Katie Dillon, a travel and lifestyle blogger who contributes to several blogs, as well as her own, La Jolla Mom. This post was originally created for the Four Seasons blog, Have Family Will Travel.
Photography by Sandy Woo.
- Activity Type
- Craft