Lantern!
I have always loved this craft, I don’t know the first time I made one but it’s been years and they always turn out beautifully and if you make a bunch they will turn your house into a true Chinese New Years Celebration !
- Gather your materials. You will need a red piece of construction paper , some crayons or markers, scissors, double stick tape or stapler and some gold glitter glue.
- Cut a small strip off the end of the paper and set aside.
- Have your child color with crayons or markers. I don’t use paint with this craft because the paint has in the past made the lanterns brittle and they ripped.
- Add your glitter glue ! Using glitter glue makes it so the paper doesn’t get saturated and brittle. Let dry.
- Fold and cut into the fold, start about 1.5 inches into the paper and leave the margin on the other side too.
- Add double stick tape to one side ( top and bottom) and attach the other side to it.
- Using the strip of paper you set aside earlier, tape into a handle.
Book!
“D is for Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet“ by Carol Crane is a in valuable book when teaching about China and Chinese New Year, it is more than a simple alphabet book, going into detail about lanterns, chopsticks, panda bears and so much more. What I love about these books is that younger children can be shown the pictures and given a easy to digest synopsis of the text, while older children can read the whole book. The illustrations by Zong–Zhou Wang will make the most reluctant traveler want to get on a plane to china, they are simply spectacular!
MaryAnne says
I love this idea! The “D is for Dancing Dragon” book sounds great too, I’ll have to look for it.
heather says
This is a great craft. I am going to be teaching my son about this this week and was looking for a great and easy craft. Thanks!
johanna says
im definitely going to make these lanterns with my son today thanks!!
Amanda says
I was wondering if you happened to have a Dragon Kite craft. We are going to be doing the letter K (we are doing the K is for king craft) this week and a dragon kite would fit in perfectly with the Chinese New Year and K. Thanks!
Maddie had a great time making these paper lanterns this morning! She can’t wait to show daddy when he gets home!
johanna says
liked this so much i put a link to your site in my new blog!! hope thats ok?!http://isaacjklm.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/gung-hay-fat-choy/
Allie says
Amanda- I found something fun, it’s not a kite but you could adapt it!
It’s from one of my readers and it’s beautiful!!
http://isaacjklm.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/gung-hay-fat-choy/
I hope that helps!
Marilyn says
I am Family Child Care our letter of the month is Ll. We are making the Lightning Bug’s Monday
January 7th.
Keep the good work up!!!