Fall is the season of lanterns and, thanks to Halloween, the season tooMonsters and ghosts. How about combining the two and making your own cool lantern with a monster look? Do you think this could be complicated? Far from it, because with our instructions even beginners can do it. We have put together three different variants for you: Some variants of the monster lantern are perfect for the lantern parade, but can also be hung at home and/or at a party as decoration, while the others are more intended for standing up and are made of glass. You decide which one you choose! And if you're having a hard time deciding, you can easily make more than just a monster lantern!
Make your own monster lantern from finished lanterns
You don't have to start from scratch when creating a monsterMake a lanternbut you can also use ready-made aids. Paper lanterns, which are offered for parties and can be assembled in just a few seconds, are the perfect basis for lanterns of all kinds. You can even illuminate them, but only with LED lights, otherwise the paper can quickly catch fire. There are practical lantern sticks for the lantern parade that not only provide lighting, but are also used to hold and carry the lantern.
- Paper lanterns in desired colors
- Adhesive film in the form of large circles (or regular ones that you cut yourself)
- Pens that are suitable for drawing on foil (e.g. Edding)
- Fairy lights for hanging and hanging
Instructions
Instead of foil, you can also use normal paper, which you then stick to the lantern with simple glue. And in principle you don't have to do anything else for the monster lantern. Draw as many eyes and mouths as you like, cut them out if you are using paper or uncut foil and glue them to the lantern. The lantern maintains its monster look particularly well if you only distribute one or more than two eyes.
You are also welcome to choose well-known monsters from cartoons. How about Mike, for examplefrom Monster AGorthe Cookie Monster?
Foam rubber or felt
Instead of foil or paper, you can also use other popular craft materials such asfor example foam rubberand felt. In this case, you can save yourself the trouble of drawing and cut out the individual elements directly from the material (e.g. white eye, green iris and black pupil - three circles of different sizes).
Make a super cool lantern in a monster look out of glass
We admit that this impressive monster lantern looks complicated. But don't let this first impression put you off, because it's really easy to make. Since you are using glass andWorking with hot gluethe project is not necessarily suitable for small children. Older children who can be careful are welcome to try it out under supervision. You need:
- Glas
- Tracing paper in the desired color (for eyes and mouth)
- white crayon or pencil for lighter paper colors
- Hot glue and gun
- Scissors
- black acrylic paint (or other dark paint) and brush
- Serviettenkleber (z.B. Mod Podge)
- optional: chalk
Monster Lantern – Here’s how it’s done
Place the tracing paper around the glass and draw monster eyes and mouth with a pencil or colored pencil. Then remove it and, if necessary, trace the shapes again or touch them up. Then cut out the grimace, leaving about 2cm of margin around it and wear on the backNapkin glue on. Make sure that you distribute the glue well in the corners too. Stick the paper to the glass.
Then use hot glue to trace the grimace that you drew earlier. This will give the surface of your lantern an interesting texture. Once the face glue has set, expand this by shaping the edge of the glass and then spreading drops. To make the drops, place a dab of glue anywhere and then pull it up a little.
Also read “Carving Halloween pumpkins”
Distribute these all over the glass, including a few around the eyes and mouth (you'll also create teeth), but don't overdo it so that the whole thing doesn't look too crowded and the face still stands out. Allow the glue to dry and then remove any protruding threads. Paint everything with black acrylic paint, but leave out the eyes and mouth. Allow the paint to dry.
Now you can create a three-dimensional effect on the drop if you want. To do this, rub chalk over a drop and smudge it with a finger. Then go over the drop again with the chalk, but this time without smudging it. It is best to choose the color of the chalk depending on the color you wantParchment paper chosento get a uniform look. Alternatively, white also works.
Make monster lanterns using mason jars
Mason jars are also ideal for lanterns. You can use this variant both for setting up andfor the lantern parade. To do this, simply attach a wire handle to the lid of the jar and then screw it tight. Make sure that the wire is securely attached so that it does not suddenly fall off and the glass shatters on the floor, which could be dangerous, especially for children.
Paint the inside or outside of the glasses as desired with lighter acrylic paints (so that the candlelight can still shine through) and let them dry. Then create a monster grimace using a sharpie, black acrylic paint or black paper. If necessary, attach a wire handle to the lidan LED candle in itand screw on the lid. You can also arrange the glasses in a row and then distribute a string of lights in them.
Would you like a dinosaur lantern?Find out herehow you can make one yourself.
