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Make a Paper Picnic Lantern

Written by: | Published: August 11, 2014 | Updated: January 22, 2024

Add a little romance or maybe a little sparkly magic to your next picnic with pretty paper lanterns. This is a Cricut project you can make all year round. These lanterns look really pretty at nice and are super easy to make if you have a Cricut Explore.

Paper Picnic Lantern designed by Jen Goode

Make a Picnic Lantern with Your Cricut

I’ve created a lantern cut pattern you can use that is available in the Cricut Design Space. Pick your favorite cardstock colors and create a lovely little paper lantern perfect for any occasion! Tip: make sure to use battery-operated votive candles – real candles will likely burn the paper.

Materials:

To make this project: first, visit the Cricut Design Space Make-it-Now lantern project in the Cricut Design Space and follow the on screen instructions. Once all your paper pieces have been cut, assemble the lantern:

Use battery operated candles

Instructions

  1. Fold lantern bottom flaps along score lines.
  2. Glue hole reinforcements to the inside of the lantern, overlapping the existing holes. These aren’t required, but will help your lantern hold up to any
  3. Roll the main lantern piece and adhere in place along the edge.
  4. Fold in two opposite flaps. Do not glue these first two flaps, this will prevent glue from oozing out at the inside bottom of your lantern, keeping the presentation clean and pretty.
  5. Fold two more opposite flaps and adhere in place.
  6. Fold the last two flaps in and adhere in place.
  7. Cut and tie twine through the holes at the top of the lantern.
  8. Add the lantern insert. Make sure the paper you use for the insert is somewhat translucent so the light can shine through.
  9. Add the battery-operated votive candle. Hang and enjoy!
Steps to make your own paper picnic lantern with Cricut Explore
Steps to make your own paper picnic lantern with Cricut Explore
Use different colors of paper
Use different colors of paper
Make a paper lantern designed by Jen Goode
Make a paper lantern designed by Jen Goode
battery operated candles make these lanterns glow
battery operated candles make these lanterns glow
Hang the lanterns on a railing or set on a table
Hang the lanterns on a railing or set on a table
Pretty paper lanterns on the fence
Pretty paper lanterns on the fence
Hang lanterns in a tree
Hang lanterns in a tree
Pretty lanterns glow at night
Pretty lanterns glow at night

Mix and match paper colors to accent whatever event you’d like. You can also leave out the inside paper layer to create a brighter glow with your lantern. Hang the lanterns from a fence, from a tree branch or set out on the table. Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy the atmosphere these lanterns create.

More Picnic Projects in this Collection

There are more projects in this DIY picnic set. Mix and match the pieces that fit your specific event. This DIY picnic collection includes everything you need to make your own picnic-themed set up. From food boxes to labels, each project is designed to dress up any picnic party! Here are more picnic craft tutorials you can make:

Chinese take out boxes perfect for a picnic
Chinese take out boxes perfect for a picnic
Picnic Invitation set designed by Jen Goode
DIY Picnic Invitation set designed by Jen Goode
Create a picnic party set designed by Jen Goode
Create a picnic party set designed by Jen Goode

More Cricut Projects:

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Jen is Passionate about Creativity. She is the owner and "doodle in charge" of JGoode Designs, a Denver based design studio. She is an illustrator, mixed media artist and creative lifestyle blogger. Jen has been a creative professional since 1998 but says she's been an artist since she was old enough to eat glue.

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