Papier-mâché Chinese Lantern
According to an ancient Chinese legend, a monster named Nian (which means year) would attack a village and eat people at the beginning of the year. Each year, the villagers fled until they learned it could be frightened away by loud noises, bright lights and red lanterns. Today, Chinese New Year is celebrated with firecrackers, fireworks and red lanterns.
Celebrate Chinese New Year by making a Papier-mâché Chinese lantern!
Materials:
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A balloon
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Red tissue paper
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White glue (about 1/2 cup)
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Water (about 1/2 cup)
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Mixing bowl
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Vaseline or oil
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Gold Paint
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Paintbrush
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String
Steps:
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Mix equal parts white glue and water.
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Blow up the balloon to the size you want your lantern to be.
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Coat the balloon in vaseline or oil (this makes it easier to take out the balloon at the end.
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Tear the tissue paper into strips about 1 inch wide.
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Dip the strips into the glue mixture and remove the excess by running it between your fingers before you place it on the balloon.
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Cover the balloon in one layer of strips, leaving an opening over the balloon tie. Let dry overnight.
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Add two more layers of paper, letting each layer dry before adding the next.
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Gently pop and deflate the balloon using a pin or scissors (making sure the paper is really dry). Remove the balloon.
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Paint the ball with gold paint. For the year of the snake, you could paint a picture of the snake or the Chinese symbol for the snake. Or, you could paint the zodiac animal from the year you were born.
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Poke two holes in the top of the lantern and thread through some string. Hang your lantern!
