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Paper Lanterns

skill level: easy
cost: under $5
craft time: 30 minutes

One of the most anticipated events of the Moon Festival is the Children's Lantern Parade where masses of children parade through the streets with beautifully colored lanterns. Lanterns may be purchased at your local Asian Market but why not make your own. There are countless ways to make a lantern; this is just one way.

Want to make an extra special lantern? Use your papercuts.

colored construction paper
scissors
white glue
hole punch, optional
poster board or cardboard
yarn
stick or a piece of wooden doweling
glow stick

Cut out small shapes, stars, crescents… in a piece of the construction paper.
Roll the construction paper and secure edges together with glue.
Cut a piece of poster board the size of the base of your lantern.
Tape securely to the bottom of your lantern.
Punch four holes evenly spaced at the top of the lantern to hold the yarn.
Tie a piece of yarn to each hole and tie the opposite ends of the yarn to the stick.
Rather than using a real candle use a glow stick available at any hardware store to light up your lantern.