Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Celebrations · The activity desk
Lantern Festival paper decoration
Decorate a paper lantern inspired by the Chinese Lantern Festival.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A sheet of paper, large child-appropriate crayons, and tape.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Lay the paper flat and have tape ready.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and help secure the paper. In China, the Lantern Festival marks the end of Spring Festival celebrations; family traditions vary.
Let's make it happen
- Draw colorful lines, dots, or shapes across the paper.
- Curve the paper into a wide cylinder and ask an adult to tape the overlapping edges.
- Stand the decoration on a table and share a wish for the new year if you like.
Make it simpler: Decorate the paper with a few broad lines while an adult helps shape it.
Clean up: Put away the crayons and recycle paper scraps.
Paper decoration only: keep away from candles, bulbs, and other heat sources.