Waldorf Paper Star Lanterns

Learn how to make beautiful paper star lanterns. These are perfect for your winter nature tables, for a lantern walk, or to decorate your advent spirals. They are also an excellent way to use up watercolour paintings. You can even coat the paper in olive oil and let it dry before folding it into a lantern. The oiled paper creates a beautiful translucent effect when lit up.

​Remember to never leave your candle unattended.

Things You'll Need

• Square paper of your choosing.  We used a piece that was 30cm by 30cm which worked well, but you may want to make yours smaller or larger.
• Scissors
• Olive or Vegetable oil (optional)
• A tea-light (you can use battery operated tea-lights too)

How to Make Your Lantern

• Oil Paper: First off, if you choose to oil your paper, you will want to do that right away and allow it to dry first. I put mine near a heater with a fan and it took about an hour to fully dry.  

• Step 1: Fold paper in half lengthwise, open, rotate and fold in half again.
• Step 2: Turn paper over and fold in half diagonally, open, rotate and fold in half diagonally again.
• Step 3: Using the fold lines, manipulate the paper and fold into a flat square.

• Step 4: Lift up a "wing"
• Step 5: Flatten the "wing" down making sure the centre lines align. Repeat until all the "wings" are flat. When all the "wings" are flat, you will have a kite-like shape.​

• Step 7: Cut off the ends of your kite so you know have a triangle.
• Step 8: Fold the corner of the right side of your triangle to the centre line and repeat until all the right hand corners are folded toward the centre. You now have a kite shape again - tada!

• Step 9: Take one of the corners you just folded, straighten it back out and tuck it inside using the creases you just made as a guide. Repeat until all corners are tucked in.

• Step 10: Fold down the top edge of your kite and repeat until all the top edges are folded down and you have a triangle again - like magic!

• Step 11: Hold the pointed end of your triangle down toward the table and gently pull apart the top which should now resemble a star!
• Step 12: Run your fingers along the inside fold lines, pushing out as you go around forming the bowl/bottom of your lantern.
• Step 13: Gently push down on the top of your lantern to flatten the bottom.

• Step 14: Add your tea-light, call your friends, throw a party - you did it - you made a gorgeous star lantern, entertained your kids and recycled some art work - you're a champ!
• Step 15: Watch our DIY video tutorial if you need more guidance ;-)