How to Make Sky Lanterns

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: June 21, 2022 References Tested

A sky lantern is a lantern with a paper shell and wire frame that holds a fuel source. When the fuel source is lit, the lantern fills with air and floats into the sky. Originally used by the ancient Chinese military, sky lanterns are now popular at festivals, weddings, and other celebrations around the world. You can easily make your own sky lantern at home using some simple tools. Just make sure sky lanterns are legal in your area and that you light yours in a safe outdoor location.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making the Paper Shell

1
Buy a roll of wax paper. Wax paper is a thin, sheer paper used for cooking and arts and crafts. Wax paper is ideal for making sky lanterns because it's lightweight and translucent. Look for a roll of wax paper that's at least 15 feet (4.6 m) long. It should say right on the packaging how long it is.^{[1]
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2
Roll out and cut 2 pieces of wax paper that are the same size. Make the pieces longer than 2 feet (0.61 m) so your sky lantern isn't too small. Keep in mind that the longer the pieces are, the bigger your sky lantern will be.^{[2]
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- Be careful cutting the paper so you don't accidentally tear it.
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3
Glue the pieces of paper together along one of the long edges. Lay the 2 pieces of paper on a flat surface so they’re slightly overlapped lengthwise. Then, use a glue stick to attach the pieces of paper where they overlap. When you’re finished, you should have a single large piece of paper.^{[3]
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4
Glue the short ends of the paper together to create a paper cylinder. Grab one end of the paper and fold it over so it’s slightly overlapping the other end. Apply glue to the ends of the paper and press them together so they’re attached where they overlap each other. You should now have a large paper cylinder.^{[4]
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5
Cut out a square piece of paper that’s slightly larger than the open ends. The square piece of paper will be the top of your sky lantern. Make sure the square is big enough to completely cover one of the open ends, and then some.^{[5]
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6
Glue the square over one of the open ends of the paper cylinder. Place the square next to one of the open ends of the cylinder. Then, glue the edges of the square to the edges of the cylinder so the open end is covered.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Building the Frame

1
Buy a roll of metal wire to make the frame for your sky lantern. Metal wire will easily bend and hold its shape, making it an ideal material to build the frame for your lantern with.^{[7]
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- You can get a roll of metal wire online or at your local home improvement center.
2
Make a ring with the wire that has the same perimeter as the paper shell. To find the perimeter of the paper shell, lay it on a flat surface so the open end is completely flat. Then, measure the length of the open end with a tape measure and double the length to get the perimeter. Once you have the perimeter, measure and cut a piece of wire that's 1 inch (2.5 cm) longer. Bend the wire into a ring shape and twist the ends together.^{[8]
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3
Run 2 strips of wire across the center of the ring so they’re perpendicular. These pieces of wire will hold the fuel you’ll use to light and launch your sky lantern. Twist the ends of the 2 strips of wire around the wire ring so they stay in place.^{[9]
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4
Glue the wire ring inside the open end of the paper shell. Take the paper shell and hold it so the open end is facing up. Then, insert the wire ring inside the paper shell so it’s about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) away from the edge of the open end. Working your way around the ring, fold the edges of the paper down over the ring and glue them down to secure the ring in place.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Preparing the Fuel

1
Melt candle wax in a pan over the stove top. Candle wax will serve as part of the fuel for your sky lantern. Leave the melted candle wax on the lit stove top until you’re ready to use it so it doesn’t harden.^{[11]
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Dip a strip of cloth in the melted candle wax until it's completely covered. Any kind of cloth fabric will work. Use a strip that's around 1 foot (0.30 m) long and 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) wide. Once the cloth is covered with wax, use a pair of tongs to lift it out of the pan. Let the cloth strip dry for 2 minutes.^{[12]
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3
Tie the wax-covered strip of cloth onto the center of the wire frame. Turn your sky lantern upside down so the wire frame is facing up. Then, wrap the cloth strip around the middle of the wire frame and tie several knots. Continue tying knots until the whole strip is bundled up in the center of the frame and the ends are no longer sticking out.^{[13]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Lighting Your Sky Lantern

1
Light your sky lantern in a safe outdoor location. Sky lanterns can be a fire hazard if they’re not lit in a safe place under the right conditions. Never light your sky lantern indoors, and always check the weather before you light your lantern. If it’s going to be windy or rainy, wait and light it on a different day.^{[14]
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- Don’t light your sky lantern near tall trees or buildings.
2
Hold your sky lantern by the wire and light the wax-covered cloth. Hold a lighter to the cloth until it catches fire. Keep holding it once it's lit. You don't want to release it just yet.^{[15]
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Continue to hold your lantern right side up until you feel it pulling upward. It will take a few seconds for the fire on the wax-covered cloth to fill up the paper shell with air. Once it does, you should feel the lantern being pulled upward.
4
Release your lantern. Once you feel your lantern being pulled upward, it’s ready to be launched. Gently let go of your lantern and watch as it soars into the air.
- If there's no wind when you launch your sky lantern, you may be able to collect it when it floats down from the sky. If it's a windy day, your sky lantern will probably travel too far for you to find it.

Community Q&A
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Question

Are sky lanterns safe?

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Since sky lanterns have been known to start serious wildfires, harm animals that try to eat them and have even caused problems for airports, I would say that they aren't very safe, though it may be possible to use one safely if it is tethered, kept in a contained area and watched closely while it is lit.
Question

Are sky lanterns legal?

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It depends on your state. Currently 29 states have banned them due to concerns about starting wildfires and harming animals. They are illegal in many other countries as well.
Question

Can I make it without fireproofing spray?

Owen Larson

Community Answer

In lieu of fireproofing sptray, you can soak the paper in a mixture of baking soda and water and let it dry for a day.

Warnings

Sky lanterns are prohibited in some cities. Before you light your sky lantern, make sure they’re legal in your area.^{[16]
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