These Halloween paper mache lanterns are super fun, inexpensive, and easy to make. You can make ghost lanterns, Frankenstein lanterns, Black Kitty Cats, Owl lanterns, and Jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween Paper Mache Lanterns
Halloween crafts are some of my favorite crafts to add to the blog. Like this DIY Trick-or-Treat Pillowcase for Halloween , Mason Jar Halloween Scenes , and Milk Jug Candy Bucket
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Glue like Elmers Glue
- Water
- paintbrush
- Assorted tissue paper cut into squares for layering- colors will depend on your intended design. Design ideas can be found below.
- More assorted tissue paper colors are cut into shapes for eyes, nose, mouth, etc…. i.e., I cut dark colors into triangles for my Jack-O-Lantern lights.
- Latex Balloons that are blown up to the size you desire and secured with a knot
- A large Solo Cup to hold your creation
- An LED light – I found mine at the Dollar Tree – It works perfectly
- Scissors
How to Make a Halloween Tissue Paper Lantern
Make a glue paste with an equal amount of both glue and water
Before you begin, you must put something on the bottom of the cup to give it some weight. I used water, but you can use rocks or marbles.
Set the bottom of the balloon onto the cup – this will help hold your balloon for you.
Paint the glue paste onto a section of the balloon
Apply the tissue paper to the wet paste – If it is not entirely sticking to the balloon surface, dab a little bit of paste over the tissue paper
The tissue paper should be wet through
Cover the entire balloon in this way with two layers of tissue paper
Add your detail pieces (eyes, mouth, etc…) with the contrasting colors of tissue paper
Let the balloons dry for about 24 hours
When they are completely dry, use your scissors to cut the tip-off of the balloon. The balloon will deflate, and pull away from the paper
*Your paper-mache might start to sink in. Don’t worry – You can push it gently back into the balloon shape it once was
Cut a level and small circular area out of the bottom of your project. This will help it stand up, and gives you a place to set your light
Now you can pull the balloon out and if needed, reshape your paper mache by gently pushing the shape out
When you’re ready, place your paper-mache project over your LED light
That’s it! Enjoy your spooky lights
More Ideas for Halloween Lanterns
Ghost – Use white tissue paper and black or blue oval shapes for the eyes and mouth
Jack-O-Lantern – Use orange tissue paper with black face shapes
Frankenstein – Use green tissue paper with black tissue paper for hair, add tissue paper eyes using white for the whites of the eyes, green iris, and black pupil. Make black stitches for the mouth
Cat – You’ll need to cut slits into the top of your dried lantern and place felt cat ears into them. Create the face with more tissue paper
Owl Lanterns – Make an owl face with a pointed beak and extra large eyes. Once the lantern has dried, cut slits onto the top to tuck felt ears into the tissue paper
More Halloween Crafts You’ll Love
Let’s Hang Out
Come and find me on Pinterest and Facebook for more recipes, crafts, party treats, and holiday games!
Printable Instructions
Tissue Paper Halloween Lanterns
Equipment
- paintbrush
- Scissors
Materials
- Glue like Elmers Glue
- Water
- Assorted tissue paper cut into squares for layering- colors will depend on your intended design.
- More assorted tissue paper colors are cut into shapes for eyes, nose, mouth, etc… i.e., I cut dark colors into triangles for my Jack-O-Lantern lights.
- Latex Balloons that are blown up to the size you desire and secured with a knot
- A large Solo Cup to hold your creation while you work and for drying
- An LED light I found mine at the Dollar Tree – It works perfectly
Instructions
- Make a glue paste with an equal amount of both glue and water
- Before you begin, you must put something on the bottom of the cup to give it some weight. I used water, but you can use rocks or marbles.
- Set the bottom of the balloon onto the cup – this will help hold your balloon for you.
- Paint the glue paste onto a section of the balloon
- Apply the tissue paper to the wet paste – If it is not entirely sticking to the balloon surface, dab a little bit of paste over the tissue paper
- The tissue paper should be wet through
- Cover the entire balloon in this way with two layers of tissue paper
- Add your detail pieces (eyes, mouth, etc…) with the contrasting colors of tissue paper
- Let the balloons dry for about 24 hours
- When they are completely dry, use your scissors to cut the tip-off of the balloon. The balloon will deflate, and pull away from the paper
- *Your paper-mache might start to sink in. Don't worry – You can push it gently back into the balloon shape it once was
- Cut a level and small circular area out of the bottom of your project. This will help it stand up, and gives you a place to set your light
- Now you can pull the balloon out and if needed, reshape your paper mache by gently pushing the shape out
- When you're ready, place your paper-mache project over your LED light
- That's it! Enjoy your spooky lights
~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.com
So fun!