How to Make a Beautiful Chinese Lantern

Lay out your construction paper. Measure it out to 9 inches by 12 inches long. Cut out the outlined area, and then fold it lengthwise. Once that is done, your paper will look like a long, thin rectangular piece.

Make sure that the folded edge is facing towards you. Use your ruler to measure an inch from the top of the long rectangle. Draw a straight parallel line from left to right, an inch from the top edge of the rectangle.

Measure out and mark 1-inch increments directly on the fold line. Use the marks as a guide for your scissors, cutting 1-inch strips from the bottom edge and cutting straight upwards. Stop at the 1-inch line, and keep repeating this until the rectangle is fully cut with 1-inch strips.

Unfold your rectangular piece. Tape the long edges together, making sure that the edges are aligned. This should complete the body of your Chinese lantern.

To make a strap, measure out a piece of paper 6 inches long and 1-inch wide. Insert the ends of this this strip into the top of your lamp. Securely tape it into place, letting the body of the strap protrude like a loop that you can use for hanging your Chinese lantern.

Repeat this entire process on as many lamps you want to make for your home. Hang all of your lanterns on as long of a string as you see fit. From here, you can install your own lights inside them.