Kids' Craft: Autumnal Table Lanterns...

Here is an idea I got from a similar little craft project that Miss S bought home from her Kinderkrippe.   They are an ideal craft for pre-schoolers (in fact, kids of any age) and the end result is rather pretty when illuminated at night.

An enjoyable craft for both adults and children, making these lanterns is a great way to spend a cold afternoon indoors together.

You will need:

Large clear plastic cups
Tissue paper in 6 or so colours (I chose autumnal colours, but you could go with whatever you like)
PVA glue
A paintbrush
A tea light

Cut your tissue paper into small rectangles and squares around 2cm square (don't be too neat - I think the irregularity of the shapes makes them more interesting.)

Make a gluey mixture by mixing a little water in with some PVA glue.

Start around the top of the cup, gluing the tissue paper bits down, overlapping each other.  Use plenty of glue and brush over them with more glue once they're stuck down.

Miss S starts her first row..

Make sure to overlap the pieces and not to leave any uncovered areas as these will show up when the candle is lit.

Keep layering up rows all the way to the bottom of the cup.

Finish with a row that tucks in neatly behind the bottom lip.  Make sure the whole thing is covered in a generous coating of your gluey mixture.

Proudly showing off her handy work...

Is it weird that these remind me of Elmer the Elephant?

Leave to dry.

Light a candle and gently lower it into the bottom of the lantern by turning the lantern on its side then bringing it slowly up into a standing position.

Bask in the glow whilst enjoying the cosiness of these chilly nights.  Or, if you're down on the bottom half of the planet and enjoying longer spring days, you could make a bunch of these to scatter around outside during a BBQ or party.

LM x

PS - If you love lanterns, check out my previous post on how to make gorgeous wine glass lanterns.