Sleepovers will be popular at your house when you hang this cool DIY paper lantern in your child’s bedroom. Our template, card stock, wire and a socket cord will have everyone stargazing instead of watching TV.

We must admit, it does takes time to cut out the stencils. After all, there are four sides and the top. If you have a cutting machine, you’ll want to use it for sure.

We made simple frames using 18-gauge floral wire stems to keep our lantern square and support the socket cord. They’re easy to bend—not tools required!

Kids will love the effect of the stars reflected onto the walls and ceiling of their room. It’s like having a planetarium all their own!

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DIY paper lantern instructions

DIY Paper Lantern Instructions
Ingredients
  • DIY paper lantern template
  • card stock
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KRSWM6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005KRSWM6&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=JEM7GDBTBMC2TM23″ target=”_blank” title=”Precision knife”]precision knife[/url]
  • hot glue gun
  • 4 [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018N62LO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0018N62LO&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=J7OMQLQH5XMG2X22″ target=”_blank” title=”18 gauge floral stem wire”]18″ floral wire stems[/url], 18-gauge
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SCOEQW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009SCOEQW&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20&linkId=MXLLFVTPMTZJT7CL” target=”_blank” title=”Single socket cord”]single socket cord[/url]
  • low watt bulb
Instructions
  1. Download the [url href=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/diy-paper-lantern-template-everydaydishes_com.pdf” target=”_blank” title=”DIY paper lantern template”]DIY paper lantern template[/url] and open in [url href=”http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/” target=”_blank” title=”Adobe Reader”]Adobe Reader[/url].
  2. Print on card stock and cut out where indicated, using a precision knife. Fold the four sides where indicated then hot glue together. Set the template designated for the top of the lantern aside—it has a large star in the center, through which you will feed the cord’s plug.
  3. Use two wire stems to form a rectangular frame that fits diagonally inside the lantern near the top. Bend the corners into right angles then twist the ends to hold its shape.
  4. Make a second frame the same size as the first and insert it into lantern so it crisscrosses the first frame for a snug fit.
  5. Glue top cutout to lantern, attach socket for light bulb, screw in 40-watt bulb then hang. If it doesn’t hang straight, simply attach tape or wire to the cord and adhere to the center the frames intersect.
Notes
Use a bulb with 40 watts or less to prevent overheating.

DIY paper lantern

DIY paper lantern