How to Make Animal Lantern Crafts: DIY Mason Jar Lanterns for Fall and Beyond

Looking for a fun and easy craft project to do with your kids? Learn how to make adorable animal mason jar lanterns that will brighten up your home or garden, even during the darkest fall evenings.

This simple DIY lantern craft is not only enjoyable for the whole family, but it also makes for a charming, personalized decoration. Whether you’re preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just want to create a cozy atmosphere, these lanterns are perfect for all seasons!

What You’ll Need for This DIY Animal Mason Jar Lantern Craft:

• Clean mason jars (regular or wide-mouth)
• Water-based white glue (school glue works well)
• Paintbrush
• Tissue paper or crepe paper (in various colors)
• Cardstock in different colors (for creating animal faces and features)
• Scissors
• Battery-operated tea light candles
• Craft wire (optional, if you want to make a handle)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Your Animal Mason Jar Lanterns

Step 1: Cut the Tissue Paper

Start by cutting your tissue or crepe paper into small squares or irregular shapes. These pieces don’t have to be perfect, but aim for a variety of sizes to give your lantern texture and color. The more vibrant the tissue paper, the better your lantern will glow once the candle is inside!

Step 2: Apply Tissue Paper to the Mason Jar

Using your paintbrush, cover a section of the mason jar with white glue. Start layering the tissue paper pieces on the glue, smoothing them out as you go. Continue applying glue and adding tissue paper until the jar is completely covered.

For crepe paper, one layer is enough, but if you’re using tissue paper, apply 2-3 layers for a more opaque finish.

Step 3: Create Your Animal Design

Now, let your imagination run wild! Choose your favorite animal and draw its features on a piece of colored cardstock. We created a fox mason jar lantern, drawing an orange head, white belly, ears, and black eyes. For an added touch, we cut two tail pieces and glued them back-to-back so the tail would be visible from both the front and the back of the jar.

Other cute animal options include an owl, frog, or bear! Cut out the features and set them aside for gluing later.

Step 4: Attach Animal Features to the Jar

Once your cardstock pieces are ready, use glue to attach them to your mason jar. For the fox lantern, we glued the white belly, eyes, and ears onto the jar. Make sure everything is secured tightly before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Add Your Battery-Operated Tea Light

Finally, place your battery-operated tea light inside the mason jar. The soft glow will create a magical effect.

We made an adorable fox, owl and a little frog!

Customization Tips: Make Your Animal Lanterns Extra Special

• Mix up the paper: Try experimenting with different colors and textures of tissue or crepe paper for unique results! You could even use patterned paper to make your lanterns pop.
• Use a handle: Want to hang your lantern? You can add a rustic look by wrapping the neck of the mason jar with craft wire and adding a handle. This makes your lantern easy to carry and adds a whimsical touch.
• Try acrylic paint: If you prefer a more solid look, paint the outside of the jar with acrylic paints instead of using tissue or crepe paper. This method gives the lantern a more polished and permanent finish.

This mason jar lantern craft is a great way to spend quality time with your kids. It’s simple enough for younger children but still fun for older ones to get creative.

These lanterns are perfect for decorating your house or garden, whether it’s for fall nights, Halloween, or Christmas. You can line them up along your porch, place them on your mantel, or use them as nightlights.

Safety Tips for Crafting with Kids

• Supervision is key: Always supervise children while they are handling glue, mason jars, scissors, and small parts like batteries. Kids should be assisted when using scissors or the hot glue gun (if applicable).
• Use battery-operated candles: For safety reasons, use battery-operated tea lights instead of real candles. These LED candles are safer, especially for little hands.

Crafting Lanterns That Brighten Every Season

These DIY animal mason jar lanterns are not just a craft, they’re a fun and creative way to celebrate the seasons.

Whether you’re making lanterns to light up your garden during crisp fall evenings, creating cute Halloween decorations, or adding a cozy glow to your living room, these animal-themed lanterns are sure to impress.

Get your kids involved in the process, let them design their own animals, and watch as their faces light up with excitement. From foxes to frogs, the possibilities are endless!

Happy crafting! 🐸 🐻