Upcycle plastic yoghurt tubs (or similar) into colourful geometric tissue paper lanterns. Pop an LED tealight inside and use them as a DIY nightlight.
This is a fun and easy light-up craft for kids of all ages.
You might also like our coral reef DIY nightlight
Do you like making crafts that light up?
I keep a stock of LED candles on hand especially for crafting, but often I have to fight my kids for them because they like using them too. On this occasion when I went to find the candles for my completed lanterns I had to order more because my daughter had taken them all!
Luckily you can find them cheaply and easily online, and with holiday craft season just around the corner I know I’ll be able to put the extra ones to good use.
For the gluing part, I’ve used our own DIY mod podge recipe. You can use real mod podge if you want, but I’ve always found the DIY version equal to the task at a fraction of the cost.
When it comes to the upcycled plastic containers, you obviously don’t need to use a yoghurt tub exactly like the ones in the photo. Look for something of a decent size that is already frosted, eg. a frosted 2L milk bottle with the top cut off, but if you can only find clear plastic that will be OK too. If using clear plastic I’d suggest gluing a layer of white tissue paper underneath first.
Let’s get upcycling …
How to make geometric tissue paper lanterns
You will need:
- LED candles
- Upcycled frosted plastic yoghurt tub or similar, washed thoroughly and dried with the label removed
- Tissue paper in assorted colours
- DIY mod podge
- Paint brush
- Scissors
How to:
Cut the tissue paper into assorted geometric shapes. You don’t need to measure things or be precise, anything goes. I created the circles by tracing around a milk bottle cap and cutting out the shape through numerous layers of paper at once. I also made long strips, squares, triangles, and rectangles.
Brush a section with the mod podge mixture, then glue some shapes on. Create a pattern, or make the design abstract — it’s up to you.
It’s a good idea to wait for the first layer to dry before adding another layer of glue. If you’re impatient like me and add the second layer while it’s still wet the colours in the tissue wrap may run.
Here they are with the lights switched off.
They make fun DIY bedroom decor for kids.
More crafts that light up
- Make a cereal box firefly scene that lights up
- Use our printable template to create mini paper lanterns
- This coral reef DIY night light is one of our favourite projects
- Make a tissue paper jellyfish that lights up just like a real bioluminescent one
Love this, but what like of container did you use and where do I find them? Not familiar with what you described.
They’re from a brand of yoghurt sold in Australia (Jalna). I’m not sure where else you get them. If you can’t find any frosted plastic containers, use a plain clear one or a mason jar and cover it in a layer of white tissue paper first.