Make a decorative paper lantern by folding a rectangular sheet lengthwise, cutting parallel slits from the fold toward the open edge and leaving an uncut rim. Open the sheet, join its short ends into a tube and gently bring the top and bottom bands closer together so the ribs bow outward. This open paper craft is an unlit decoration; keep it away from candles, flames and hot bulbs.
Gather paper and simple tools
Choose construction paper or medium-weight craft paper that bends without cracking. Very thin gift wrap can tear between the slits, while heavy card may resist the rounded shape. Gather scissors, a ruler, a pencil and paper tape or a glue stick. Protect the work surface if using glue. An adult should prepare cuts that younger crafters cannot manage comfortably.
Use a single plain color for the first lantern so the cut lines and folds are easy to see. Set aside a narrow strip of matching paper for an optional handle, or cut it from a second sheet. Keep the lantern body rectangular: an irregular outer edge makes the two rim bands harder to align later.
Fold lengthwise and mark a stopping line
For a practice lantern, start with a sheet about 9 by 12 inches. Fold it lengthwise into a rectangle about 4½ by 12 inches. Mark a stopping line 1 inch from the open long edge and space the slits roughly ¾ to 1 inch apart.
These are practice dimensions. Adjust them to your paper, preserving a broad enough rim to hold the cut sections together. Align the corners before pressing the center fold. The fold becomes the middle of the lantern’s ribs, while the uncut open-edge area becomes its top and bottom bands when the sheet is unfolded.
Leave a small uncut margin at each short end as well. Those outer edges will overlap to form the seam. Draw light guide lines from the folded edge toward the stopping line. Keep them parallel so the ribs have a reasonably consistent width.
Cut from the fold toward the rim
Begin each slit at the folded edge and stop at the marked line. Do not cut through the remaining band. Work across the sheet, checking each stopping point before starting the next cut. Hold the folded layers together without placing your fingers in the cutting path.
If a slit accidentally reaches the outer edge, repair the band from the back with a small piece of paper tape before continuing. If several ribs are detached or the rim is badly torn, start again with wider strips. A strong rim is more useful than a large number of very narrow ribs.
Open the sheet and check the structure
Unfold the paper carefully and lay it flat. The slit openings should lie across the central area, with a continuous band above and below. Remove loose scraps and check for cuts that ended well short of the others. Extend only those that need adjustment, keeping the stopping margin intact.
The Allentown Art Museum’s paper-lantern activity demonstrates folding and cutting while retaining an uncut edge. Keeping those connected borders is the key to handling the sheet as a single piece during assembly.
Join the short ends into a tube
Curve the sheet around so its short ends meet and the slit ribs run vertically. Overlap the ends by a small amount and align the upper band first, then the lower band. Check that the tube is not twisted. Secure the overlap with tape or an adhesive suited to the paper, following its setting instructions.
Attach the seam along the solid rim areas. Avoid putting a long piece of tape across the open slits, which can stop the ribs from spreading. If glue needs time to set, support the tube until the join holds rather than immediately pulling it into shape.
Shape the ribs without flattening them
Hold the two bands and bring them slightly closer together. The folded middles should move outward, forming an open lantern shape. Adjust individual ribs gently so their openings look balanced. Do not squeeze the lantern flat; the rim bands should remain round enough to support the decoration.
If some ribs bow inward, ease them outward with a fingertip while supporting the nearby band. If the whole lantern leans, check whether the top and bottom seam edges were aligned. If the ribs crease sharply in several places, use lighter pressure and a more flexible paper for your next version.
Add an optional paper handle
Curve a separate strip into a handle and attach its ends to opposite sides of the top band. Keep the attachment clear of the slit area. Test the join gently only after the adhesive has set. A paper handle is for the lantern’s own light weight, not for carrying objects inside it.
For a display, choose a dry location away from heat, doorways and places where people might brush against the paper. Keep strings and hanging decorations away from young children and pets. This simple open structure has no base or light holder; display it unlit rather than improvising a support for a candle or electrical fitting.
Store and reuse the decoration
Keep the lantern dry and protect its ribs from crushing. If the seam opens, repair it at the solid bands before hanging again. A small box with space above the handle helps preserve its shape. Save clean offcuts for a paper mosaic or try a paper chain for another lightweight decoration.
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