Red paper lanterns are often used for celebrations such as Lunar New Year festivities and the color red signifies wealth and prosperity. This is a very easy craft to do at home, in a play group, or classroom while learning and celebrating the Lunar New Year!
Materials Needed
- Red Cardstock or Construction paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Clear tape or glue
- Markers, Crayons or anything you like to decorate your lantern (optional)
- Pipe cleaner, or a small strip of paper to create a handle
- Hole punch (optional)
- Battery-operated votive candles (optional)
Directions
Fold the piece of red paper in half, lengthwise, making sure you line up all the edges. Decorate the paper if you like now.
Use the ruler to draw a straight line along the open, long edge, of the paper, about 3/4" of an inch from the edge.
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.
Line up the long edges and fasten them with tape or glue.
Attach your pipe cleaner or paper handle
Your completed lanterns can be hung up or set on a table for decoration.
