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When the nights grow dark and the stars peep out, Diwali ushers in with a glimmering shout. It’s a festival that wraps the sky in a symphony of lights, and what’s a better way to contribute to this cosmic melody than making your own paper lanterns? As the cool air sets in and the festival of Diwali approaches, crafting takes a bright turn with these delightful lanterns that any kiddo can whip up in a jiffy. This craft is a sparkling avenue for kids to explore their creativity and bask in the warm, glowing light of their handmade decorations.

Creating these lanterns is not just about celebrating Diwali; it’s about lighting up a little part of ourselves, too. As we snip and stick, we are not just making lanterns; we are crafting memories. And these paper lanterns, embellished with sparkling gem stickers, promise to be a cheerful beacon in your Diwali décor. So, let’s jump into the heart of this festive craft and make something that’ll shine as bright as the Diwali fireworks!

What is Diwali?

Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most beloved festivals celebrated by millions around the world, especially in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families celebrate by decorating their homes with lights and candles, sharing sweets, and setting off fireworks. It’s a time for joy, reflection, and, of course, a whole lot of fun!

List of Materials

Colorful construction paper
Gem stickers
Crepe paper streamers
Glue
Scissors

Tips for Making a Paper Lantern Craft for Diwali

Use a ruler to ensure that your strips are evenly cut.
Experiment with different colors of construction paper to reflect the vibrant spirit of Diwali.
Place gem stickers along the edges or in patterns to catch the light beautifully.

Paper Lantern for Diwali Craft Instructions

Begin by selecting your favorite colors of construction paper. For a festive look, go for bright, bold colors that remind you of Diwali.
Take one sheet of construction paper this will be the main body of the lantern.
Take another sheet of construction paper in a different color and cut two strips off and glue them to the top and bottom of the first construction paper.

Fold one corner of another sheet of construction paper down and cut off the rectangular end to make a square. Measure the the square as a diamond and cut it so that the top of the diamond ends at either end of the rectangle. Repeat with another sheet of paper the same colour. Glue these squares as diamonds to the sides of the construction paper.

Now for the sparkle! Decorate your lantern with gem stickers. You can outline the top and bottom edges of your lantern, create patterns, or randomly place the stickers for a more spontaneous look.

For the lantern’s handle, cut a piece of string and tape each end to the top back of your lantern.
Finally add cut streamers for the bottom of the lantern. Use glue to secure them to the bottom of the lantern.

Once you’re happy with the decoration and the glue has dried, find the perfect spot to hang your paper lantern.

Skills Learned

Hand-eye coordination from cutting and sticking.
Creative design while planning the layout of gem stickers.
An appreciation for cultural traditions.

This craft not only brings the light of Diwali into your home but also ignites the light of creativity and joy in every child’s heart. So let’s light up our lanterns and celebrate the festive cheer!

Age Suitability

This activity is good for toddlers aged children 2 years old and up with adult assistance.

Mess Level

The mess level for this activity is low.

Difficulty to Create

Easy.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!

These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.

350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here.