Chinese Paper Lantern Craft

When I was in fourth grade, I went to a Chinese American school.  It was a lot of fun and I learned about the Chinese New Year.  The date varies a little each year but this year the Chinese New Year 2015 falls on February 19th. It is an official public holiday in China. The Chinese lunar calendar is associated with the Chinese zodiac and this year is the year of the goat! I remember lots of Chinese paper lanterns and that the children each got a red envelop with a little money it. Anyway, I thought I would share a DIY Chinese paper lantern project with you in case you want to help your little ones celebrate it. This Chinese lantern craft is super easy to make and only takes a few basic supplies.

DIY Chinese Paper Lantern

Chinese Lantern Craft Supplies:

• pipe cleaners
• paper (solid or printed)
• scissors
• ruler
• hole punch

Chinese Lantern Craft Directions:

You have a lot of freedom to customize this easy Chinese paper lantern to your own liking by changing the size of the strips of paper and the pattern of the paper.

I choose to use origami paper cut into strips because I like the pattern but you could use construction paper or typing paper.  Since origami paper is usually 6 inches by 6 inches, I cut it into 6- 1 inch strips.

I chose a total of 9- 1 inch by 6 inch strips and hole punched them in the middle about 1/3 of an inch up on the top and bottom.  (See photo above.)

I then cut a pipe cleaner to be 5 inches long and made a small loop at the bottom so that the the paper strips would not fall off.  I then loaded all of the strips onto the pipe cleaner with the pattern facing down towards the little loop.  I alternated color strips as I loaded.  (See photo below.)

Next I loaded the other end of the strips onto the pipe cleaner so that it made an arc shape.  (See below.)

I finished it off with a big loop on top to keep the paper lantern strips on and to give a place to hang the lantern if you so desire.

Then, you just fan the paper strips out and you have a Chinese paper lantern!  It is a very quick and easy craft.  You can make bunches of them and hang them from doorways and window frames.  You can use red strips for a more traditional Chinese Lantern Craft if you prefer.

Do you think you will try this Chinese paper lantern craft yourself?  Share your photos @familyfocusblog!  Do you have any other special crafts or traditions to celebrate the Chinese New Year?  You may want to share some ancient Chinese proverbs with your children too.  What is Chinese zodiac sign?  I’m a dragon!