Oct 20, 2014

Let Your Creative Light Shine

In preparation for the 15th Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festvial, the Creative Alliance in Baltimore hosted a lantern making event this past Sunday.  The lanterns made will be used during the parade at the fun, festive, family-oriented event taking place on Saturday, October 25.  Think Disney World Magic Kingdom Electrical Light Parade but all DIY.  Kenedi and I will be there with our DIY Monster High costumes.  Click here to see how I created them.


My mini was not with me at the event yesterday; she was spending quality time with her father, but I made sure to go so that I could make her a lantern to participate in the parade.  This craft was really easy to make.  It didn't take a lot of supplies and could be used for a variety of celebrations or for everyday use. If your child is afraid of the dark like Kenedi, this could be a really cool and personable night light.  The supplies that we were given included scraps of black construction paper, multi colored transparency paper, glue sticks, scissors and a blank lantern made out of taped pieces of sturdy plastic with a tiny flash light taped inside of it.

To create the lantern, all you need to do is cut pieces of the transparent colored paper and construction paper and tape it to the plastic surface into any design, shape, or pattern you like.  Word of advice:  try to have a design concept in mind before you start cutting and applying pieces of paper to your lantern.  Think about whether you want to tell a story, display a theme, etc.  I did not have a master plan so I found myself sitting, cutting, applying, and reapplying over and over again.  It also helps if you use black construction paper or a black sharpie to outline shapes, the black contrast pops off of the light.  
After we were done decorating our lanterns we were each given a long piece of bambo to hang it from to use on parade day.  I was so inspired by some of the creative and intricate lanterns I can't wait to see them all lit up at the parade next week.  

To make this craft at home, try using a milk carton or any other sturdy piece of plastic.  Check back in to see more lanterns from the parade next week.  

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