Winter Paper Lantern
Imagine painting a winter scene with crayons. A tree. A snowman. A star. Just the way you feel it. Then add watercolor. The color spreads over your picture like a winter sky. And the crayons remain visible. Almost as if they are secretly smiling. Later, light shines behind your picture and suddenly everything glows. Your whole picture. From paper, it becomes a little light that tells stories. It shows you that you can create something that brings joy to others and gives you peace.
What you'll need
- A4 paper
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Watercolors
- Brush
- Some oil (e.g., cooking oil)
- Paper towels
- Glue or tape
- LED tealight
How it works
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Cut an A4 sheet lengthwise into two strips.
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Draw a winter scene with crayons. Press a little harder so the wax stays visible later.
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Mix a winter sky with watercolor, like blue or purple. Spread the color over your entire picture. Don’t work too wet, or the paper will tear. Lay the sheet down and let it dry completely.
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Once the sheet is dry, put a little oil on a brush or a piece of paper towel. Lightly coat the picture. Dab off excess oil with paper towel. Let it dry for a few minutes until it no longer feels greasy.
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Take the painted strip and carefully roll it into a cylinder, so the edges overlap slightly. Secure the edge with tape or glue so that the cylinder stands stable and doesn’t come apart.
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Place an LED tealight in the center. Check if everything stands stable. Then turn on the light and your picture starts to glow. Maybe you place your light next to your bed at night. Maybe on the table. Perhaps you gift it and warm someone's heart.
What kids learn from this
- Fine motor skills & creativity
- Curiosity & scientific thinking
