How to Make a Newspaper Sky Lantern

Cover the work area with a large sheet of plastic to avoid making a mess and lay out all materials.

Hang four pieces of newspaper on a piece of line using clothespins. Spray the newspaper with a fireproofing spray on both sides and allow to dry fully before removing.

Stack the four pieces of newspaper and use a ruler and pencil to mark a rectangle that measures 12-inches by 20-inches. Cut out the rectangle from all four sheets of paper. Keep the four pieces of newspaper stacked.

Fold the four rectangles in half, lengthwise. The papers should still be stacked, but should now measure 6-inches by 20-inches.

Measure the circumference of your bamboo hoop and divide it by eight. Mark this distance from the bottom right corner of the folded newspaper, with the longer side facing you. From this mark, draw a circular arch ending in the bottom left corner of the newspaper. What you have drawn should resemble half of a bell.

Cut out your half bell shape from Step 5 and unfold your newspapers. Each sheet should be identical. If you wish to decorate the newspapers at all using markers, pens, etc., now is the time to do so.

Lay down one sheet of the cut out, unfolded newspaper, and use a paintbrush to apply watered down glue along one edge. Lay a second sheet of newspaper on top of the first, which should result in the two pieces being glued to each other by one edge only. Use the glue to apply a third sheet of newspaper to the second, but apply the glue to the edge which isn't glued to the first sheet of newspaper. Finally, glue the fourth sheet of paper to the third, and connect this sheet to the first. At this stage, you should be able to wear the glued newspapers like a pointed hat.

Use wire cutters to cut a long piece of wire. Wrap one end of the wire around the bamboo hoop and extend it to the other end of the hoop, dividing the circle into two equal parts. Cut another piece of wire and repeat the process, dividing the hoop into four equal parts.

Place a small cluster of birthday candles or one tea candle at the intersection of the two wires. If you're using birthday candles, use extra wire to hold them into place by wrapping wire around the candles and connecting it to the middle. If you're using a tea candle, hot glue it into place.

Glue your hoop, wire, and candle apparatus to the opening of your newspaper creation. Place the hoop so that the wick of the candle is facing upward toward the top of the lantern. Inflate the lantern using a hairdryer on low setting.

Go outside, light your candle and release the lantern.