5 Lanterns: A DIY Summer Project

Let there be light during summer nights with these DIY lanterns

When it’s summer, the days can never last too long. And while you can’t control the sun, you can keep the lights burning all night long. Click through for five ways to light up your summer nights with simple, affordable and stunning DIY lanterns.

Mason Jar Paper Lantern

Nothing is more versatile than that Mason jar hanging out in the back of your kitchen cupboard, so why not make something with it?  How about a paper lantern starring the gorgeous Vancouver skyline?

What You Need

• A decently sized, clear mason jar
• Paper large enough to draw on and completely wrap around the mason jar
• A marker or sharpie
• Scissors and glue
• A tea light candle
• Decent amount of artistic talent

Follow the steps shown in DIY blogger Rebecca’s post and you’ll end up with a homemade lantern you’ll never want to blow out.

Wine Bottle Lantern

The best part about this craft is that you have to drink the wine before you can use the bottle. After you’ve sampled the grapes, you’ll be drilling a hole into the bottle and placing a strand of Christmas lights inside.

What You Need

• An empty wine bottle
• A drill
• Masking tape
• A short strand of Christmas lights (the one with a plug on just one end)
• Safety goggles and gloves

Head over to the always-inspiring Wit & Whistle blog for all the instructions on how to make this stunning lantern.

Paper Bag Lanterns

Who knew you could create something so pretty with plain old paper bags? (Yes Pinterest users, we know you knew). Cut out initials, flowers, symbols etc. into the paper bags and hang them everywhere for a customized glow.

What You Need

• White paper bags (in the size of your choosing)
• A bone folder
• A pencil
• Stencils
• A piece of cardboard
• An X-acto knife
• Scissors
• Wires
• Grommets and grommet pliers
• Tea lights (battery powered ones are highly recommended)
• Long matches or a lighter

Check out Grace Bonney’s Design*Sponge for all the details.

The Pyramid Lantern

Make like the Egyptians with these little pyramid-shaped lanterns. They are adorable and easy to make, so get the craft supplies out and praise Ra.

Here’s what you need:

• Paper
• A pencil
• A hole puncher
• Clear tape
• A ruler
• Battery powered tea lights

Rachelle Doorley provides detailed steps on how to make these lanterns, so make your way to Tinkerlab to get started.

Milk Carton Lanterns

Once you’ve drunk the milk (straight out of the carton, of course) you can use the container to add touches of radiance to any room or event. There are so many different ways to customize and decorate these, and they’re a great activity for youngsters with an interest in crafting.

What You Need

• A milk carton
• Wrapping paper (you can get design-crazy with these!)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tea lights

How to Do It

• Using the scissors, cut out a hole into one or more of the carton’s sides.
• Cut the wrapping paper you like up into pieces and glue them on to the carton.
• Add any extra decorations you like on to the carton.
• Stick in a battery-powered tea light and you are done.