Name: CleverPatch Crafternoons: Chinese New Year Paper Lanterns
SKU: 92688L
Price: 176.90 AUD

Download Activity Template

Glue can be used in place of double sided tape in this project however you will need to allow extra time for drying.
Step 1Download and print the template provided onto copy paper. Cut around the black circle outline on the template. Use this as a guide to trace and then cut out 5 red and 5 yellow circles from your cover paper. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors. Gather all the circles together in a pile with the template on top, then fold all of the circles following the grey dotted lines of the template.
Our circle diameter is based on using an 11cm long cardboard roll for our lanterns. You may need to adjust your circle size depending on the length of your cardboard roll. The diameter of your circle will need to match the length of your roll.
Step 2Take a red circle and add a strip of double sided tape down the centre of the circle, making sure the flaps are folded away from the tape. Remove the backing paper from the tape and stick the folded circle down the length of the cardboard roll, aligning the top and bottom edges.
Step 3Take a yellow circle and repeat step 2, sticking it onto the cardboard roll next to the red circle so that the folded edges are touching. Take a smaller piece of double sided tape and place between the red and yellow flaps that are side-by-side to hold in place.
Step 4Continue adding circles around the cardboard roll in the same way until you get back to the original red circle. This is the main part of your lantern complete!
Step 5Cut a 2.5cm wide strip of paper down the short edge of a yellow sheet of A4 cover paper. Cut a 1.5cm wide strip of paper down the short edge of a red sheet of A4 cover paper. Use double sided tape to stick the red strip down the centre of the yellow strip and then bend the strip into a loop. Place the ends of the loop into the top of the cardboard roll and fix in place using double sided tape to create a hanger.
Step 6Cut a 7cm wide strip down the short edge of a sheet of red A4 cover paper. Create a fringe down one of the long edges, making sure your cuts are around 5mm wide and only cut about 6cm of the way through the paper. Wrap the fringed paper around a pencil with the fringe down the length of the pencil. Keep wrapping until all of the fringed paper is on the pencil, then secure the end with double sided tape to create a tassel. Gently slide the pencil out.
Step 7 Cut an 8mm wide strip down the short edge of a sheet of of yellow cover paper and fold in half. Pinch and push the folded end of the strip into the top of the paper tassel, securing in place with double sided tape. Place the loose ends of the yellow strip inside the bottom of the cardboard roll, with one end on either side, so the tassel now hangs below the lantern. Secure with double sided tape.
Step 8Your Chinese New Year Paper Lantern is now ready to display!
Experiment with adding a touch of sparkle to your lanterns using glitter and glue. You could even experiment with foil paper for a metallic look!