Easy Kids’ Paper Lantern for Diwali

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As the days get cooler and we head into Autumn here in the UK, we also approach the Diwali Celebrations in November! Diwali is the Hindu festival of light, which celebrates Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. There is nothing more magical than pretty lights and lanterns at this time of year to brighten up the darkening days. We haev a gorgeous little Paper Lantern Kids Diwali Craft for you.

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern
First shared in October 2018

You know how much we adore Paper Crafts, and these easy Paper Lanterns are simply perfect.

They join the ranks for our collection of Kids’ Luminaries and Candle Holders!

So many great ideas for brightening up the darker days. Even if you don’t celebrate Diwali, I think they make a great paper craft for kids this time of year (maybe for St Martin’s Day too?!).

How to Make Your Own Diwali Lanterns with Paper

To make your paper lamps, you will need:

  • Cardstock paper – Black or any dark shades
  • Tissue paper – colors of your choice
  • Pencil or pen – for tracing the design
  • X-acto knife
  • Scissors
  • Craft glue
  • Tea lights are best

How to make your Diwali Paper Lantern Decoration

Watch the quick overview Diwali Lantern video on auto play or follow the step by step instructions below!

DIMENSIONS: Cutting your Black Cardstock for your Paper Lantern

Decide the size for the lantern and cut the cardstock paper accordingly.

If you decide to make an 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide triangular lantern, in that case cut an 8 inches x 12.5 inches cardstock paper.

The base of the lantern will be made by folding the 12 inch into even thirds and keeping 0.5 inch extra for attaching the side.

DESIGN your Paper Lantern

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern

Choose a simple and easy design for the lantern. Use pencil to trace the design on the middle part of the even thirds. You can simply cut out easy paisley patterns or draw a frame around the square part and then draw a simple but detailed paisley.

CUT your Paper Lantern Designs – adult supervision

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern

Use x-acto knife to cut out the patterns. If kids are working on this project please make sure that they are under adult supervision for this step.

Cut out the patterns as neatly as possible.

DECORATE your Diwali Lantern

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern

Select 3 or 4 colored craft papers and cut them according to the different parts of the cut out pattern. Cover one part of the pattern at a time. Apply glue around the sides of the selected part of the pattern and prepare a colored craft paper for it.

Assembling you Lantern Craft

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern
  • Place the prepared craft paper on the glued area; to cover the open cut out areas of the pattern.
  • Done attaching the craft papers? Now turn the cardstock paper to the other side. This is the front side of the lantern.
  • Apply glue along the extra 0.5 inch of the cardstock.
  • Bring the other open side of the cardstock paper and join it with the glued part. Allow the glue to dry.

Finishing touches to your Diwali Paper Lantern

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern

Place a candle inside a glass (the candle should be shorter than the glass) and then place the lantern over the glass. Light up the candle to see the magic!

Easy Paper Lanterns for Kids' Diwali. How to make a lantern for Diwali. #diwali #kids #paper #lantern

Happy crafting!

Hope you enjoyed our DIY Paper Lanterns.. here are some printable instructions for you!

DIY Paper Lantern

And easy paper lantern for the winter months or Diwali

Equipment

  • Cardstock paper – Black or any dark shades (US/ UK)
  • Tissue paper – colors of your choice (US/ UK)
  • Pencil
  • X-acto knife
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Tea lights are best (US/ UK)

Instructions

  • Cut 8 inches x 12.5 inches cardstock paper.
  • The base of the lantern will be made by folding the 12 inch into even thirds and keeping 0.5 inch extra for attaching the side.
  • Choose a simple and easy design for the lantern. Use pencil to trace the design on the middle part of the even thirds.
  • Use x-acto knife to cut out the patterns. If kids are working on this project please make sure that they are under adult supervision for this step.
    Cut out the patterns as neatly as possible.
  • Select 3 or 4 colored craft papers and cut them according to the different parts of the cut out pattern. Cover one part of the pattern at a time. Apply glue around the sides of the selected part of the pattern and prepare a colored craft paper for it.
  • Place the prepared craft paper on the glued area; to cover the open cut out areas of the pattern.Done attaching the craft papers? Now turn the cardstock paper to the other side. This is the front side of the lantern.Apply glue along the extra 0.5 inch of the cardstock.Bring the other open side of the cardstock paper and join it with the glued part. Allow the glue to dry.

Video

Notes

We also have this gorgeous DIYA Candle Holders

We have many more Lantern Crafts for kids that you may enjoy:

Easy Leaf Lanterns – these are so gorgeously autumnal!

Glassic Paper Lanterns

Winter Soltices Lanterns

Easy Salt Dough Votives

Upcycled Jar Lanterns for Kids to make

Check our full collection of Diwali ideas for kids:

Collage of easy kids crafts for Diwali

Or check out our full sets Luminaries and Candle Holders here including many more DIY Diwali Paper Lantern Ideas

You may also like these fireworks inspired crafts for kids and preschoolers:

firework art projects

The simple Slide Show video is also available on Youtube!