Easy Winter Lantern Craft for Kids

Light up a dull and cold afternoon with this easy winter lantern craft for kids.

One thing we love to do in winter here in the Northeast is spend time at our local museums. Museum days keep us busy and refreshed, yet out of the harsh cold weather. Our local art museum in particular has a free family day once a month where they blend art with crafts.

The December museum event in particular offered a bonanza of art and craft experiences, and we had a hard time getting through all the stations. So I decided to see if I could recreate one of the winter crafts at home, where we could enjoy working at a more leisurely pace.

These little winter lanterns turned out to be so simple to put together and can work for a wide range of ages and themes. Here’s how to make them!

Easy Winter Lantern Craft for Kids

Materials:

Plastic cups (small to medium)
Glue sticks OR Sparkle Modge Podge (that’s what I used!)
Sponge brush (if you’re using liquid glue or Modge Podge)
Decorative elements like glitter, small pieces of tissue paper, craft feathers. We chose blue and white for winter!
Rubber band (small)
Wire or Pipe Cleaner
Battery-operated tea light candle

Directions:

Coat the inside of the plastic cup with your glue stick or Modge Podge
Cover the sticky inside surface with the decorative elements (glitter first!). Be sure to have most of the surface covered, but it’s okay if there’s a few small openings! Allow to dry.
Put the rubber band around the top of the cup, making sure it’s snug but not crumpling the cup.
Slide one end of the wire or pipe cleaner under the rubber band, then fold back on itself and wrap around itself to secure. Loop the wire or pipe cleaner over the cup to the other side and repeat to form a handle.
Insert the tea light into the bottom of the cup. If you have the right size cup, it should fit snugly. If it’s too lose, glue some extra tissue paper to the bottom of the cup.

Light the light, and brighten up your winter!

My boys enjoy placing their lanterns around the house, walking around with them, or leaving them on at night for special night lights.

Depending on the colors of decorations you use, this craft could be modified for Valentine’s Day with red and white decorations, St. Patrick’s Day with green and gold, Fourth of July with red, white, and blue, or any other holiday!

What colors would your children pick to create their own lantern craft?

Julie Kieras is a former English teacher turned stay-at-home-mom. She is quietly amassing the world’s greatest little home library and loudly enjoying life as a mom of two rambunctious boys. All while sharing ideas and tips for natural living and play on her family blog HappyStrongHome.com!