Introduction: Balloon Lantern

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This instructable teaches how to make a balloon lantern. This can be used for outside in your patio or make one for a lantern festival (such as Illuminares events in British Columbia! http://www.publicdreams.org/event_details.html?section_id=1&day=25&month=07&year=2009)

Step 1: Materials and Set Up

In the picture shown is a variety of materials that you will need to help complete your lantern.
1) regular white glue
2) balloon (blown up)
3) glue gun
4) tea light
5) aluminum tart tin
6) thick string/hemp/cord
7) Tye wire
8) paint brush (to put the glue on)
9) scissors
10) tissue paper (you pick the colours!)
11) a strip of card board 12"x 5" connected together (opt.)


This can be a slightly messy process so make sure that you are wearing clothing that you don't mind getting glue on and cover the table with plastic and/or newspaper.

Step 2: Mixing the Glue

For better distribution of the glue and application it is best to add a bit of water to the white glue. Usually the ratio is 4:1 (4 parts glue, 1 part water).

Step 3: Blowing Up the Balloon

Take the balloon and blow it up. Then if you like you can place it in the cardboard stand (the strip of cardboard that is optional to tape together). This lifts the balloon off the table and makes it where you don't have to hold it while painting the glue on the balloon.

Step 4: Papering Balloon

Once you have covered the balloon in a medium-light layer of glue (you don't need tons on it). You can start taking whatever colour or pattern of tissue paper and start papering the balloon. You need to have 3 layers of tissue paper on the balloon.

Step 5: Adding the String

Once you have papered three layers onto the balloon then you then take the cord/string/hemp (which ever one you have) and wrap it around once the top area of the balloon. Then you paper overtop of the string, ensuring that is properly glued down to the balloon and secure.

Step 6: Leave to Dry

After all the papering is completed you need to leave your soon to be lantern to dry. Preferably leaving it hanging and not having the balloon touch anything around it would be preferred (it will be wet from the glue and may stick to things). Usually leaving it for a full 24 hours will ensure the shape of the lantern is best.

Step 7: After Drying

After the paper and glue has completely dried on the balloon you need to pop the balloon and take it out. More times than not the balloon comes out easily, however you may to work a bit harder to scrape it out.

Cut the excess paper where the string is to create a bigger whole and give you lantern a cleaner edge.

Step 8: Adding Your Candle

After you have cut a larger whole for your lantern you need to add the tea light.

Take a tea light and glue gun it to inside your aluminum tart tin. Then take it and glue gun it into the inside bottom area of the lantern.

Step 9: Adding Your Handle

A handle can be done in many ways with different materials, but in this case we are going to make a stiffer handle with wire.

Take a piece of tie wire and poke it through one side of the lantern close to the top so you have fold it over the edge. Then do the same for the other side.

Step 10: Lighting the Lantern

Now your pretty well done! All you have to do is test it out by lighting it!

Good job! Now you have a pretty hand made lantern!