Ingredients
- 1 small clear plastic cup, 9 to 12 fluid ounces (the inner form, reuse friendly)
- 1 package of white cotton balls, approximately 100 count (you will use about 70)
- 1 bottle of white craft glue, 4 fluid ounces (such as Elmer's, optional brand example)
- 1/2 cup water (for thinning the glue)
- 1 sheet each of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple tissue paper, approximately 12 by 18 inches each
- 1 small battery-operated LED tea light, approximately 1.5 inches wide (use a cool LED light, not a flame)
- 1 disposable paper plate, 9 inches wide (for mixing glue and catching drips)
- 1 small foam brush, 1 inch wide (a soft paintbrush also works)
- 1 pair of child-safe scissors or craft scissors, 5 to 7 inches long
- 1 roll of painter's tape, 3/4 inch wide (for holding the cup steady)
- 1 plastic table covering or washable drop cloth, approximately 3 by 4 feet
- 1 pair of disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves (optional, especially if you dislike sticky fingers)
- 1 small piece of parchment paper, approximately 12 by 12 inches (for the drying surface)
Instructions
- Cover your table with the drop cloth before you open the glue.
- Wash and dry the plastic cup, then place it upside down on the parchment paper.
- Use four short pieces of painter's tape to hold the cup in place, spacing them around the rim.
- Pour 4 fluid ounces of white craft glue onto the paper plate. Add 1/2 cup water and stir until the mixture looks like thin cream.
- Pull one cotton ball apart slightly to make a loose, airy puff, and place it against the outside of the cup.
- Brush a thin coat of glue over the part touching the plastic, then add another cotton ball beside it with a small overlap.
- Continue around the cup, using about 70 cotton balls while keeping the bottom edge open.
- Build the cotton surface in short rows from the rim toward the base, keeping it fluffy rather than tightly packed.
- Check for thin spots and add loose pieces of cotton as needed. Brush over the whole form with a light coat of glue.
- Cut the tissue paper into strips about 1 inch wide and 4 to 6 inches long, making several strips of each color.
- Brush a thin layer of glue over one small section of cotton, place a tissue strip on the wet area, and smooth it outward.
- Allow the strips to overlap slightly and work around the lantern in color groups, avoiding tight pulls.
- Apply a final thin coat of diluted glue over the tissue paper while keeping the bottom edge clear.
- Leave the lantern on the parchment paper for 12 to 24 hours to dry fully.
- Once dried, loosen the painter's tape and gently twist the plastic cup to remove it.
- Place the LED tea light on the table, switch it on, and set the lantern over it.
Notes
Use only a battery-operated LED tea light for safety. Keep the lantern away from direct heat and moisture to maintain its integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
