Going to bed a little later than usual is one of the most special things to do from a child's point of view. Here's how to add some magic to your backyard parties.
A gourd lamp
The gourd, also called a calabash, is known for the lamps that can be made from it. While some use them as lampshades with a bulb, others turn them into outdoor lanterns by inserting plays of light that do not heat up. Whether you drill holes in it, paint it, embed beads, or all of the above, the result will be beautiful. It'll be like digging out a Halloween pumpkin, without the thrill.
A marble lantern
With just a glass jar and glass marbles found at a dollar store, you can make these lanterns with the kids. The result is magnificent and you have a long time tinkering together. Inside you can put candles or the top of a solar garden light.
Reuse glass jars
Rather than send them for recycling, keep a few jars of olives,of sauce and other empty glass jars to turn them into lanterns. With metal wire, make a handle to hang them on trees and decorate them as a family with linen, paint or other materials that will tolerate the weather.
Luminescent pots
You can also add color to your glass jars by putting some glow-in-the-dark paint or glow sticks like those which are sold at festivals.
Paper pyramids
Does your child learn to make solids in school? You can encourage him to make some at home and slip in fake LED candles so he can help decorate.
Frosted bottles
If you like drinking your iced coffee or other beverages out of glass bottles, you can turn your bottles into beautiful lanterns with the kids. Just buy frosted glass spray paint and coat the bottles with it. Have the kids add ribbons, acrylic paint, or string, depending on your decor, and put a candle or fake LED candle in it.
Canned lanterns
Now a classic in outdoor decor, these lanterns can be made simply by puncturing a tin can with a large nail and hammer. Obviously, this portion is more appropriate for a teenager or an adult, but designing the shape of the design and painting the boxes is right up the alley for younger kids.
Light up the water
To give the pool a nice light reflection, you can create these little floating lanterns with the kids. Just waterproof your lights with a bit of cellophane and press them into a sliced pool spaghetti. You can choose circular or flower-shaped spaghetti and ask the children to paint them, if they think the whole operation is “too fafa”.
The Campfire
This is not an ordinary lantern, but a campfire that will bring light to your garden and be much safer than a normal fire. With branches, a play of light, a little white paint, lace and stones, you can make this beautiful, bright and harmless fire.
