It’s that time of the year again. The festival of lights is almost here, reminding us of the triumph of good over evil. Amongst the many preparations that are synonymous with Diwali like whitewashing, preparation of sweets, flowers and rangoli, the one that takes the cake is coming up with innovative akash kandil ideas. After all, it is the festival of lights.
Growing up, you have seen rows of kandils outside every home before the onset of Diwali. One would assume that the paper kandil is an important part of the Diwali celebration because it represents the victory of light over darkness but there is a lot more to it than just that. The shape and position of the kandil is of spiritual and vastu significance. These lanterns also help in balancing the negative energy present in the atmosphere during the twilight hours.
Buying a paper kandil from the market is convenient and inexpensive, thanks to the influx of Chinese kandils. This year, with the virus impacting all our lives so gravely, we have good reason to stay away from those commercial lanterns. DIY Diwali lanterns are the way to go this Diwali. Teaching your kids how to make paper lanterns is a great way to engage them in a fun and creative manner and spend some quality time together.
10 Innovative Ways Of Making Lantern (Akash Kandil) At Home
1. Butterfly Lantern
An easy alternative if you want to know how to make kandil with craft paper, this butterfly lantern is a modern and colourful twist to the traditional kandil.
You Will Need:
- 4 sheets of A4 paper (preferably of different colours)
- Cardboard template of butterfly shape
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Glue
- Art cutting board
- Art knife
- Scotch tape
- Aluminium foil
- Ruler
- LED light or candle
- Glitter glue (optional)
Method:
- Decide the base colour for the lantern. Take this A4 sheet, measure 7.5cm with the help of the ruler and fold it inwards. Repeat the process twice till you have 4 rectangular slots.
- Measure 1.5cm on the top and button and fold those edges inwards.
- Place the paper on an art cutting board. Draw a few half butterflies randomly on the sheet and make cuts using an art knife.fold these half-cut butterflies outwards.
- Fold the 4 rectangular panels together and paste the edges to create a lantern shape.
- Cut the aluminium foil in the size of the square opening on top of the rectangular lantern and stick it with scotch tape.
- Using the cardboard template, cut butterflies of different colours.
- Fold the butterfly wings of these cut-outs and stick them in a preferred pattern all over the lantern.
- Place the LED light / LED candle on a flat surface and cover it with the prepared lantern.
- You may choose to enhance the butterflies with glitter glue.
2. Plastic Glass Lantern
This one is for all the busy people who don’t know how to make a lantern at home and are at a loss of time. These lanterns made of disposable plastic glasses barely take any time and can be decorated in any theme of your choice.
You Will Need:
- Transparent plastic glasses
- Paper puncher
- Permanent markers (various colours)
- LED candle
- Coloured string
Method:
- Draw and colour any design of your choice on the paper glasses with the permanent markers.
- Make two holes with the paper puncher on the opposite ends of the glass.
- Pass the string through both these holes and secure the edges by tying them up on each side.
- Place the LED candle inside the plastic glass and hang the lantern.
3. Plastic Bottle Lantern
Many people don’t want to learn how to make Diwali kandil because they would rather go and buy a kandil than buy the materials required to make one. This kandil made out of waste plastic cola bottles can be made with materials that are easily available in every home.
You Will Need:
- Plastic cola bottle (emptied and cleaned)
- Paper puncher
- Glue
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Tissue paper
- Permanent markers
- String/ribbon
- LED candle
Method:
- Cut off the top of the bottle in a way that you are left with a wide opening on the top and an intact bottom.
- Make a paste with the glue and water. Apply the paste to the outside of the bottle using a paintbrush.
- Stick the tissue paper and cover the entire area of the bottle. Use as many layers of tissue paper as you like, depending on how transparent you want your lantern to look.
- Make designs on the tissue paper using the permanent markers.
- Punch two holes in the opposite sides of the bottle.
- Pass a string/ribbon through the holes and secure on both sides.
- Place the LED candle inside the bottle lantern.
4. Ganesh Lantern
No Indian festival is complete without Ganesh Vandana. These quick and easy lanterns are a perfect mix of devotion, simplicity and gracefulness.
You Will Need:
- Chart paper (preferably light coloured)
- Tasseled lace
- Aluminium foil
- Glitter glue
- Paper puncher
- Glue
- Scissors
- Permanent markers
- String/ribbon
- LED candle
Method:
- Draw a Ganesh design on the chart paper with permanent markers and glitter glue.
- Roll the chart paper to make a cylinder.
- Stick the edges together with glue.
- Cut the aluminum foil in the size of the diameter of the cylinder and stick it to secure the lower end of the cylinder.
- Use glue to stick the tasseled lace on the lower circumference of the lantern.
- Punch two holes on the opposite ends of the cylinder.
- Pass a string across the holes and secure the ends.
- Place the LED candle inside the lantern.
5. Milk Carton Lantern
This is the best example of how to make kandil from waste. The milk cartons which would otherwise be dumped in the bin can now be transformed into these spectacular lanterns.
You Will Need:
- Empty milk tetra pack (washed and dried)
- Paper Puncher
- Glue
- Gift wrapping paper
- Clear plastic sheet
- Scissors
- String/ribbon
- LED candle
Method:
- Cut off the top of the milk tetra pack.
- Cut rectangles out of all the four sides of the tetra pack.
- Cover the entire area of the milk packs with gift wrapping paper.
- Use the clear plastic sheet to cover the cut out areas on all four sides.
- Place LED candles in each of the tetra packs.
- Punch two holes on top of the tetra packs and pass a string across them.
6. Cardboard Lantern
This cardboard lantern is a welcome change from the traditional red or yellow lanterns. Bring home the cosmos with this galaxy themed lantern.
You Will Need:
- Washi tape (black)
- Cardboard
- Paper puncher
- Glue
- Scissors
- Tissue paper
- String/ribbon
- LED candle
Method:
- Cut four rectangular frames out of the cardboard.
- Join the frames together to form a cuboid with the help of the washi tape.
- Stick the tissue paper to cover the empty spaces between the frames.
- Use the washi tape to make a pattern of your choice on the tissue paper.
- Punch four holes on the edges of the lantern.
- Pass the string/ribbon through all of them and tie to secure.
- Place the LED candle inside the lantern.
7. Paper Cup Glitter Lantern
Stuck with too many unused paper cups from your child’s last birthday party? Put them to good use with these colourful and bright lanterns.
You Will Need:
- Paper cups
- Coloured glitter
- Paper puncher
- Glue
- Scissors
- Diamond sheet
- String or ribbon
- Tasseled lace
Method:
- Cover the paper cups with glue.
- Roll the cups in powdered glitter till the cups are covered in glitter. Let the cups dry for a while.
- Cut strips of the diamond sheet and arrange on the cups in the desired pattern.
- Use the glue to stick the tasseled lace on the lower edge of the cups.
- Punch two holes on the upper side of the lantern.
- Pass the string/ribbon through the holes and secure.
8. Mason Jar Lantern
This contemporary kandil can be made with old jam jars or mason jars and is a great way to decorate your home in a modern way. Here’s how to make kandil with a jar.
You Will Need:
- Mason jars (you can also use jam or pickle jars)
- Glass pebbles
- Glue
- Wire
- Wire cutter
- LED candle
Method:
- Use glue to stick the glass pebbles all over the mason jars.
- Wrap the wire around the neck of the jar and make a loop for hanging.
- Place the LED candle inside the mason jar lantern.
9. Glitter Paper Lantern
An ideal choice for mothers with very small kids wondering how to make lantern, this cute little lantern is sure to bring a twinkle to your little one’s eye.
You Will Need:
- Glitter Paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Decorative stickers
- String or ribbon
- Paper puncher
- LED candle
Method:
- Take a sheet of coloured paper.
- Fold it into half (horizontally).
- Leaving a 1-inch edge on the top of the sheet, make 0.5-inch slits at the bottom of the sheet.
- Open the fold and stick the edges of the glitter sheet together to form a lantern shape.
- Stick decorative stickers on the top and bottom of the lantern.
- Punch two holes on the opposite sides at the top of the lantern.
- Pass a string/ribbon through the holes and secure the ends on both sides.
10. Sequin Lace & Pom Pom Lantern
This one is best suited for all the bling lovers. Diwali is a time for glitz and shine, why should your lantern be any less than a shiny disco ball.
You Will Need:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Glue
- Scotch tape
- Aluminium foil
- Colourful pom poms
- String or ribbon
- Sequin lace
- LED candle
Method:
- Cut four rectangular frames out of the cardboard.
- Join the frames together to form a cuboid with the help of the scotch tape.
- Cut the aluminium foil in the size of the open end of the lantern.
- Stick the foil to the base of the lantern with scotch tape.
- Punch four holes on the four corners on the top of the lantern.
- Pass a string/ribbon through the holes and secure the ends on all sides.
- Stick pom poms all across the top and bottom edge of the lantern.
- Use glue to wrap the sequin lace all across the frame of the lantern. Secure the edges with glue.
- Place the LED candle inside the lantern.
If you want to learn how to make lantern for Diwali, then try these easy DIYs to make a lantern which fits your needs and suits your personal style. A DIY lantern will allow you to have your lantern match the theme of your Diwali decorations, not the other way round. And the best part is that you can make this a family craft session!