Keeping the kids busy these school holidays

If you are looking for a simple craft to make with your kids, this one is not only easy, it is also functional.

Paper

Popsicle sticks

Decorative washi tape

PVA glue or hot glue gun

Scissors

1. For the side panels, trace a semicircle on a piece of paper. Now glue the popsicle sticks on the paper to follow the semicircle shape. Cut and remove the extra edges. Make one more of the same.

2. Using PVA or hot glue, attach one popsicle stick across the top and another popsicle stick about ¼ of an inch from the bottom.

3. For the base, take six sticks. Lay three sticks and glue the other three on these to make it double layered.

4. Lay these side by side and glue one stick across them about ¼ of an inch from the top and another craft stick across them about ¼ of an inch from the bottom. Cut and remove the extra edges.

5. Glue the side panels perpendicular to the long edges of the base panel, with the flat side facing outward.

6. Glue a popsicle stick to the outside of each side panel (at the bottom) to provide extra support.

7. Now decorate the outside of the side panels with washi tape, stickers, pompom balls or felt flowers.

These lanterns are budget friendly and easy to make. They create a colourful and nice ambience.

Wax paper

Crayons in multiple colours

Popsicle sticks

Iron

Newspaper

PVA glue or hot glue gun

Scissors

1. Cut a piece of wax paper off the roll about 10-12 inches long. Fold and cut the paper in half length-wise. Fold each half in half again width-wise so you now have two sheets to work with that are each about 5x10-12 inches with a folded seam.

2. Sprinkle crayon shavings on one side of the wax paper. Do not add too many shavings as that can make a big mess when melted and will also end up blending all the colours into one. So, use a few and spread them out a little for best results.

While doing this you can also teach your child what colours work together when mixed (like blue + yellow = green), and what will happen when you mix colours like yellow and purple that will turn a muddy brown.

3. Fold the wax paper over with the shavings inside. Place this between two newspapers. With your iron on medium heat, run it across the paper with a small amount of pressure. This should melt the crayon shavings and fuse the wax paper together.

4. With a little bit of glue or a hot glue gun, stick the popsicle sticks together to make a square. Make sure all the stick frames are completely dry before the next step.

5. Carefully trim your wax paper sheets to about 4x4 inch square (measure your frame to make sure what size will fit) and tape the sheet to the inside of the popsicle stick frames.

6. To put the lantern together, start by taping two of the frames together on the inside. Line the frame sides up, and add a few pieces of tape. Add the third frame the same way, then carefully fold them all in to form a cube. Add the fourth frame, and tape both edges so that all the frames are connected.

Now your lantern is done! Add a battery-powered tea light inside and admire your work.