How to make an easy autumn leaf lantern this winter

I’ve always found joy in working with my hands, especially if it involves elements from nature. I dug up this old favourite craft project during lockdown and quickly saw the impact it had on our day. I realised the importance of cultivating time for activities that we enjoy, that not only calm us down, but that we can make together as a family.

Walking in the colour-changing woods recently, I remembered those trying times and how the simple art of an autumn leaf lantern brought us all so much connection to family and nature.

This nature lantern is a great way for taking a break and engaging in a nature project with the kids in a fun and creative way. It’s very simple when done with more than two hands and the result is a beautiful lantern to brighten any space at home.

Since it’s the perfect time of year to walk around your garden and collect fallen dry leaves, look for different shapes and colours. You can also use fresh foliage from a bouquet at home, but you will need to dry them out first between the pages of a thick book for about a week before you start this project.

Here’s what you’ll need for this project:

Autumn lantern making steps:

Step 1

Cut the tissue paper in long rectangular pieces.

Step 2

Blow up your balloon to the desired size. This will determine the size and shape of your lantern. (You can use a yogurt container to hold your balloon while working on it.)

Step 3

Start by making a primary layer of tissue paper on your balloon. Use the brush and only water (not glue yet) to stick the paper into your balloon.

Step 5

Make sure the balloon is almost entirely covered with paper, leaving a small section, about the size of a fist, around the knot of the balloon. This will later be where you insert the bulb. By making the first layer with water, you’ll be able to remove the balloon later on.

Step 6

Now add a second layer of tissue paper making sure to cover the same area as the first one. With the brush add a coat of the glue and water mixture on top and flatten out the paper with gentle, even brush strokes.

Step 7

Once you have the second layer completed, you can start positioning the dry leaves and flowers where you would like them.

Step 8

Now continue by adding a third layer of tissue paper covering the leaves and flowers. Finish with a coat of the glue and water mixture to seal everything in neatly. Now’s the fun part – you get to put into practice your children’s patience!

Step 9

Leave it to dry for one day close to a window sill, preferably with good sunlight. Once it’s dry, pop the balloon at the area you left completely uncovered by paper and carefully remove the balloon from the inside. (Remember this plastic balloon is not recyclable so ideally, you want to stash it in an eco-brick.)

Step 10

Place your autumn lantern over a lampshade wire frame so that it covers the bulb. Be sure that the bulb isn’t touching the sides of the paper lantern. Switch on the light and watch how your lantern illuminates the beautiful leaves.

Important to note: Never place your paper lantern over any tealight candle or open flame or leave the light on and unattended when no one is home.

Enjoy bringing nature and light into your home with this simple, easy and cost effective nature project for you and your kids.

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