Free Printable Chinese Lantern Templates
/Looking for Chinese new year crafts? Make an easy paper lantern that's perfect for a Lunar new year celebration with these Printable Chinese Paper Lanterns. Mix and match elegant florals and colourful dragons to make the cutest paper lanterns.
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Printable Chinese Paper Lanterns.
Lunar New Year is coming up and I’ve got the perfect DIY project to help you celebrate, printable Chinese lanterns. Aren’t they cute? The easy-to-use templates means they're quick and simple to make and even a great project to get the kids to help with.
Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year) marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar year and is celebrated with family gatherings, traditional foods, and vibrant cultural events. The Lantern Festival comes at the end of the celebrations.
To make your own lanterns, start by downloading the templates below.
Chinese Paper Lantern Craft.
There are three different designs to print, colour and cut yourself. Choose from a dragon, plum blossom flower and peach blossom.
I printed mine out onto white cardstock and coloured them in using traditional reds and yellows but they would also look fantastic printed onto red paper and left as they are. You can mix and match the patterned strips or use the blank ones to make your own design.
These lanterns are easy enough for little hands to get involved with as well as the older kids. Cutting and folding are great for improving fine motor skills, too.
Whether you’re decorating for a party, teaching about cultural activities in school, or just looking for a fun activity to do with the kids, these lanterns are a great way to celebrate.
Supplies:
Ready to start crafting your own Chinese lanterns? Gather your supplies and follow the step-by-step instructions.
Free Chinese Lantern Template (sign up below to get your Chinese paper lantern templates)
Cardstock or Paper
Colouring Pencils or Markers
How To Make Chinese Paper Lanterns.
1. Print out the free paper lantern template onto white cardstock or copier paper.
2. Colour in your chosen design.
3. Cut along the solid lines for the lantern body piece as well as the three pieces that will make the handle and the top and bottom decorative strips.
4. Fold the main lantern piece in half along the dotted line.
5. Next cut along the vertical lines.
6. Unfold the cardstock and overlap the two ends to make a tube.
7. Staple the top and bottom in place.
8. Take the two longer paper strips and glue them to the top and bottom of the lantern.
You can also use washi tape to decorate the top and bottom edges of your lantern instead of the extra strips of paper.
9. Take the shorter strip and glue it inside the top of your lantern to make the handle.
And there you have it, your very own beautiful paper lantern. Hang your finished lantern from a doorway or make a few to string together to make a garland!
