A Paper Lantern
You will need: paper, tape, scissors
- Cut two rectangles from the paper.
- Cut 1/2 to 1 inch from one of the rectangular pieces of paper. You now have two rectangles with the same measure on one of their lengths. (image 1)
- Take the smaller rectangle and roll it into a tube, making the common length the circumference and overlapping the ends by just a bit and tape. (image 2)
- Take the larger rectangle and identify the dimension that is the same as the smaller rectangle. Fold this edge together with its opposite so that you can cut slits in the paper through the folded edge. Do not cut completely to the loose edge. (image 3)
- Take the now latticed paper and wrap the top edge along the top of your tube and tape into place.
- Align the bottom edge of the latticed paper with the bottom of the tube and tape it into place.
- Since the latticed paper is longer than the tube the middle will bow out forming the body of the lantern.
- Use a strip of paper to form a handle and tape into place. (image 4)
- It’s easy.
Make another lantern and experiment. What happens if you make the larger rectangle even larger (or smaller)? Can you change the way you cut the slits to make for an interesting variation in what the lantern looks like? Have fun!
