11
Jul

summer lanterns (made by kids)

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These lanterns are absolutely gorgeous – you’d never guess they were made by my 3 and 5 year old. They also look beautiful at night on the patio with candlelight inside. They are perfectly fire-safe because the tissue-paper and glue are on the outside of the glass vase. Nothing to catch on fire! They only cost a few dollars to make (I bought everything at the dollar store) and they look like beautiful stain-glassed lanterns. I used a bunch of colourful tissue paper (typical me), but you could make these to match any decor and just use the tissue paper colours you need. Go ahead and make these, I can guarantee you’re going to love them! Here’s how you make them:

What you’ll need:

tissue paper – whatever colours you like – cut into 1 inch squares
glass vases – I bought cheap ones at the dollar store
glue
bowl
paint brush
tealights

Directions:

1. If you haven’t already done so, cut your tissue paper into 1 inch squares. I put the different coloured tissue paper in different bowls so the kids could easily see which colour they were grabbing.

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2. pour some glue in a bowl so that you can easily dip a paint brush in it.

3. dip your paint brush in the glue and spread some on the outside of the glass vase – nothing goes on the inside so they remain fire-safe!.

4. stick the tissue paper squares on the outside of the vase where you have put some glue. Repeat this process until the entire vase is covered with tissue paper squares.

5. allow the vase to dry completely.

6. once the vase is dry, give it another coat of just glue. This will help “seal” it and secure any loose pieces. Allow to dry completely again.

7. put some tealights in your lanterns and light them at dusk. They really are beautiful!

Here they are in daylight:

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And here they are at sunset lit with candles:

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12 thoughts on “summer lanterns (made by kids)”

  1. cbryan

    I have been trying to go outside every day with my kids, but my daughter hurt her foot yesterday and needed stitches so we’ll have to “lay low” for a few days. This is a great idea for an outsidey activity that can be done indoors. I think she’d really enjoy it too! (She’s 3 and loves crafts)

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  2. Mervi

    I don’t know if it makes it more or less difficult to handle the unfinished vases, but for my sisters wedding a few years back I made similar ones but of “banana paper” and instead of glue I used milk. It worked perfectly! Plus it is easy to take off if you’d like a different colour the next week. It wouldn’t work for outdoors I guess, not longterm at least.

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  3. Tonii

    Wow!! These turned out SO gorgeous! I think my girls and I will definitely be trying these this summer. Thank you for another wonderful idea. Your blog is so creative and bright, I feel happy every time I look at it! :)

    Tonii

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  4. Angélique

    These items are always a big hit with the kids in my Kindergartenclassroom :)
    I always collect glasses over the year from vegetables, etc. and use them during Christmastime, so we can put these on the tables. It’s magical when the kids come into a dark classroom with just light from these ones :)

    Reply ↓

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