by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: January 30, 2011   Last Updated: June 29, 2012

The Chinese culture is rich with beautiful craft and art work. Craft ideas for making items to celebrate the Chinese New Year run from simple to complex but even simple work can be fun and decorative.

Paper Lanterns:

You will need colored paper and card stock in 8 ½ by 11 size or A4. Get a variety of bright colors. You will also need colored tissue paper, glue, scissors, thread or string and a stapler.

Take a piece of colored paper and fold it in half lengthwise, it will now be about 4 inches by 11. Cut about one half inch from the end. Make straight cuts from the top of the fold downwards about every inch along the fold.

Cut two inches off of the width of the card stock. Glue the top and bottom of the unfolded cut paper to the top and bottom of the card stock. The cut areas should be raised and sticking out from the card stock. There should also be about one half inch on the edge of the card stock that does not have paper attached.

Glue along the edge of the card stock and roll the paper into a can shape securing one end, lengthwise, with the glued end. Reinforce this with staples. Attach strips of colored tissue paper to hang down from the bottom of your lantern. Hang the lantern with thread or string. If you use a different color paper and card stock you will get a better color effect.

Paper Lantern #2:

Slightly more difficult, this lantern allows for more creativity. You will need card stock paper in red or black. You will also need several different colors of tissue paper. Scissors, glue, thread, a pencil and a stapler are also necessary.

With a pencil divide the paper evenly into squares of your choice of size. You can make two lengthwise rows of large squares or more rows with smaller squares. Draw your choice of shapes inside the squares with enough space to cut the shapes out and leave a half inch or more in between. For younger children, squares inside squares would be the easiest.

Cut out the shapes and you should have a window effect. Cut pieces of different colors of tissue paper to a size that will cover the windows. Glue the tissue paper into place on each window. Roll the card stock paper to form a can shape with the tissue paper on the inside. Glue the ends and then secure with staples. Attach thin strips of tissue paper to the bottom and hang with thread or string.

Kites:

Kites are another very popular Chinese craft. Real kites that can fly can be amazingly complex. Making a small kite decoration is easy. For a simple kite decoration

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