How To Make Butterfly Paper Lanterns Easy Diy Craft Idea

This is such a fun and creative craft for kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect project for spring and summer, birthday parties, or even just a rainy afternoon indoors. So grab your scissors and glue gun and we’ll show you exactly how to make your own enchanting butterfly lantern!

Helpful Tips:

What type of lights work best inside this butterfly lantern craft?

For this paper lantern craft, battery-operated fairy lights or LED tea lights work wonderfully. They fit nicely in the bottle and stay cool to the touch. Using either type of light with a remote allows you to turn your lantern on and off without having to reach in to flip a switch. Avoid using real candles or anything with an open flame.

Where can I find a template for my DIY paper lantern?

We have lots of different butterfly templates available for you to choose from, but you can also make a lantern with a different focus! Flowers, stars, or even hearts would be beautiful alternatives if you want to switch up the design for this paper lantern craft. And there are tons of other free templates to choose from in our printables category! Just make sure to print the small templates at an even smaller size. We printed our butterflies at 35% scale.

How do I make this butterfly paper craft more durable for outdoor use?

To make your DIY butterfly lantern more weather-resistant, try using weatherproof cardstock or laminating your paper before cutting. You can also try applying a waterproof sealant over the cardstock before cutting the butterflies. Waterproof fairy lights are also readily available. While these options won’t make the lantern craft totally waterproof, it will allow you to keep your lantern outside on a covered porch or patio. These butterfly paper lanterns are such a beautiful and creative craft! With their glowing light and delicate wings, they’re perfect for ambient lighting, party accents, or simply bringing a little magic to your everyday space. We love how simple and stylish they are—plus, who doesn’t love a craft that uses up old water bottles?!