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5 Creative Ways to Make Stunning and Easy Mid-Autumn Lanterns with Upcycled Materials

Creating eco-friendly lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a beautiful and simple way to celebrate, but it also fosters creativity in children. Crafting lanterns from recycled materials such as straws, plastic bottles, and milk cartons allows for a unique and imaginative celebration.

Administrator

11 July, 2024

Lanterns are an integral part of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Instead of buying ready-made lanterns, why not get creative and make unique, recycled lanterns with your little ones? Let’s explore some fun and easy DIY lantern ideas.

Check out these 12 easy and adorable DIY lantern ideas for kids.

1 Straw Lantern

Straw Lantern

Create colorful straw lanterns by cutting drinking straws into small sections and gluing them together with a hot glue gun. Form the desired shape and add a string to the top to hang your beautiful creation.

Get inspired: .

2 Plastic Bottle Lantern

Plastic Bottle Lantern

Upcycle plastic bottles into lanterns! Mark the bottle with your desired design, add your choice of colors, and cut out cardboard shapes to decorate. Attach a handle and secure a candle inside, and your lantern is ready to shine.

Explore more ideas:

3 Milk Can Lantern

Milk Can Lantern

Wash and draw your desired design on a milk can. Carefully punch holes, being gentle to avoid denting the can. Empty the sand, decorate as you like, and thread a string through the pre-punched hole for hanging.

More ideas: simple and cute milk can lantern designs.

4 Felt Lantern

Felt Lantern

Craft a unique felt lantern with the following steps: Step 1: Use felt to create fish scales and a tail. Step 2: Cut out fish bone shapes to add detail. Step 3: Stretch the lantern frame slightly and secure the felt pieces with a hot glue gun. Step 4: Cut out the fish mouth and attach strings to the tail for a fin-like effect. Step 5: Add a handle and tie a string.

5 Spoon and Water Bottle Cap Lantern

Spoon and Water Bottle Cap Lantern

Step 1: Mark, cut, and keep the spoon heads, discarding the handles.

Step 2: Cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle.

Step 3: Glue the spoon heads to the bottle cap until it’s fully covered.

Step 4: Make a small hole, thread a string for hanging, and add a pin or LED light under the cap.

Check out this additional guide: How to Make a Round Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern with Paper – a simple and beautiful project for kids.

Frequently asked questions

There are several creative ways to make stunning and easy Mid-Autumn lanterns using upcycled materials. You can use tin cans, plastic bottles, paper bags, cardboard, and even fruit nets. For example, you can cut out beautiful patterns on tin cans and insert LED lights to create a safe and long-lasting lantern. Similarly, plastic bottles can be cut and decorated to form a lantern, with a handle made from the bottle’s neck. Paper bags can be decorated and lit from within, while cardboard can be cut and folded to create a variety of lantern shapes.

To make a lantern from a tin can, carefully remove the lid and bottom of the can using a can opener. File any sharp edges smooth. Decide on a design and carefully cut out your pattern using a craft knife. Paint the can in your chosen color and let it dry. Finally, insert LED lights or a small candle to illuminate your lantern.