Get ready for some frightfully fun Halloween crafting with these easy DIY paper lanterns! Perfect for kids and adults, this budget-friendly Halloween craft transforms simple paper into spooky decorations that are ideal for windowsills, tables, mantelpieces, or Halloween party displays. With just a few basic supplies and a sprinkle of creativity, you'll create glowing Halloween lanterns that add a wickedly fun touch to your home. For an extra eerie effect, place a battery-operated tea light inside and watch your spooky paper lanterns come to life with a warm, haunting glow.
What You'll Need:
How to Make Paper Lanterns
Step 1: Cut approximately a 2cm strip off of the short end of the paper and put aside for later.
Step 2: Fold the paper in half horizontally.
Step 3: Unfold the paper and draw a spooky face on it.
Tip: Very simple designs work well. Think big eyes and wide smiles.
Step 4: Fold the paper back together so it's how it was in step 2. Cut approximately 10cm long slits into the folded edge at equal intervals along the length of the paper.
Step 5: Unfold the paper and glue a line down one end.
Step 6: Bring the ends together to form a cylinder and stick together.
Step 7: Take the reserved strip of paper and apply glue to each end, then stick to either side of the opening to create a handle.
Tips and Variations
Before you start, here are a few simple ways to make your Halloween paper lanterns even more spook-tacular:
- - Mix up your designs by creating pumpkins, ghosts, bats, spiders, or witches' hats.
- - Experiment with Halloween colours like orange, black, purple, and green for a vibrant display.
- - Add extra decorations using stickers, glitter, googly eyes, or metallic pens.
- - Create a lantern garland by making several lanterns and displaying them together along a mantelpiece or shelf.
- - Use battery-operated tea lights to safely create a warm, spooky glow.
- - Make it a family activity and let everyone design their own unique lantern character.
Have a Spooktacular Time!
These DIY Halloween paper lanterns are a fun, easy, and budget-friendly craft that adds a handmade touch to your Halloween decorations. Whether you're crafting with little monsters, decorating for a Halloween party, or simply looking for a creative afternoon activity, these glowing lanterns are sure to bring plenty of seasonal charm. Gather your supplies, get creative, and light up your home with some frightfully fun Halloween magic!
