Do you remember making these as a kid? We do, and boy howdy, was it fun. Fast, easy, and using materials you probably have on hand -- this is a great little afternoon quiet-time project. And like the snowflake curtain we posted a few days ago, the beauty here is in the numbers. One lantern is sweet. A dozen are delectable.

You can use any kind of paper for this. The photo above features craft paper lanterns, but origami paper or sturdy wrapping paper would also work. To make each lantern:

1. Fold a piece of paper lengthwise, making a sharp crease. Use scissors to cut along the folded edge, starting and stopping about an inch away from the other edge. Make as many cuts as you like, spacing the cuts as evenly as you can.


2. Unfold the paper. In the photo above, strips of contrasting paper have been glued around the top and bottom edges of the lanterns. You could also paint or add glitter and stickers.


3. Roll the lantern together, gluing the side edges together. Hold them in place with two paper clips until the project dries. Measure a length of a ribbon or fishing line and glue it to the top of the lantern so it can be hung.


4. Repeat as often as necessary!

Photo: Flickr user macinate via Creative Commons