To make a simple paper lantern, you can follow these steps:

Materials Needed:

Colored paper or cardstock

Scissors

Glue or tape

Ruler

Pencil

Decorations (e.g., stickers, markers)

Steps to Make a Paper Lantern:

Prepare the Paper:

Take a sheet of colored paper or cardstock. The size of the paper will determine the size of your lantern.

Fold the Paper:

Fold the paper in half vertically (hot-dog style).

Make evenly spaced cuts along the folded edge of the paper, stopping a few centimeters before the edge of the paper. These cuts should be parallel to the fold and about 1-2 cm apart.

Open the Paper:

Unfold the paper and carefully bring the short edges together, overlapping them slightly.

Secure the Edges:

Glue or tape the overlapping edges together to form a cylinder.

Create the Handle:

Cut a strip of paper to create a handle for the lantern. Glue or tape the ends of the strip to the top edges of the lantern to form a handle.

Decorate the Lantern:

Add decorations to your lantern using stickers, markers, or any other embellishments you like.

Light the Lantern:

Place a small LED light, candle, or battery-powered tea light inside the lantern to illuminate it.

This simple paper lantern can be a fun and decorative craft project for various occasions like festivals, parties, or even as a room decoration. Remember to exercise caution when using candles and never leave a lit candle unattended inside the lantern.