paper lantern hot air balloon basket filled with bunnies
This DIY Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon is the perfect craft for Spring!
But, if you have an upcoming baby shower or bridal shower, my Paper Lanter Hot Air Balloon is perfect for those occasions too!
Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon with bunnies
Match the colors of your wedding, to the hot air balloon and fill them with fresh floral arrangements and it’s eye-popping gorgeous!
Is it hard to make a DIY Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon? NO!
Paper Lanter Hot Air Balloon
Hot air balloons are beautiful to look at in the sky and ride in (yes we know, as a travel writer, we’ve experienced this).
Transitioning a paper lantern into a hot air balloon is easy, and allows you so many optional customizations.
Generally speaking, these are great for bridal or baby showers, birthday party centerpieces, parties, etc.
paper lantern easter basket filled with bunnies
3 Tips To Consider before tackling the project.
- What color do you need?
- How Will you stabilize the paper lantern to the basket?
- What kind of basket will you use?
The beauty of this DIY is that you can substitute materials used and anything else in the project.
Use my DIY Paper lantern hot air balloon as a springboard to create your very own.
Searching for a Great Craft?
For those of you looking for a great family craft, or one to share with your bridal party, try this!
Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon with Bunnies in basket
In brief, this DIY paper lantern hot air balloon will take you a few hours to complete!
Subsequently, it is a great way to pass some time during the day!
Purchase your paper lanterns anywhere you like.
Personally, I suggest a larger paper lantern such as an 18″ one.
Consider how you will support the balloon from the basket.
Earlier, before starting this DIY, I considered so many options.
Especially for parties. I can’t wait to share my project.
What I thought might work, did, but needed tweaked, so be flexible in your ideas!
Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon: Tip No. 1 Flight Basket
As I considered how big or small I wanted my basket, the answer became clear, there is no right or wrong.
To begin with, a small basket against this wide diameter surely would have looked misplaced.
Besides, I wanted this to be a basket for gifting, so bigger was necessary.
Paper Lantern Hot AIr Balloon Materials
Therefore, I changed it up and made certain the basket I created was 1/2 the diameter of the paper lantern.
By the same token, I could have used a round basket or other sizes, this is what I chose.
silver-coated basket with trim
No. 2 Flight Basket For Your Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon
Instead of ordering a basket, I upcycled a box we received in the mail.
Cutting the box to size was easy and I covered it up with hologram-like paper.
Once cut, I made sure to cover the corners with some of that pretty ribbon.
You don’t have to, but I love my projects to have a finished and polished look.
Of course, I followed that with a mid-line of measured satin ribbon again, since I need to hang sandbags on there later!
No. 3 Fuel Source: Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon.
I changed on over to black and white below so you can see it better!
coiling paper for fuel source
My personal travel writing played a lot into my balloon, after hot air balloons in New Mexico.
Recognizing that the Flame that kept that balloon in flight needed to be addressed in order to keep it realistic, I fashioned such.
Simply using the iridescent paper again, I rolled it and attached it to the undercarriage of the balloon.
paper lantern hot air balloon from above
Truly the piece that sets this life-like version of a hot air balloon apart from others!
Hot Air Balloon Optional Add-On’s
lollipops to hold the balloon
Please note again, if you differentiate in color, I worked on this a few days, with different lighting conditions.
It is the SAME Project.
colorful beads for decor on paper lantern hot air balloon
So the plain purple might be fine for some, again, I am a detail person, so it was not fine for me.
In order to create more of a work of art, I fashioned some jewels across it.
Ribbon on top of paper lantern
However, you do need to know they are very lightweight and that matters with the pixie stick situation, which I will address shortly.
How To Craft The Paper Lanter Hot Air Balloon
Working from the top of the balloon, I added a satin ribbon with a glue gun.
Ribbon + Gluing
Additionally, I placed some curly ribbon at the top in matching colors to hide the hanger pieces and accentuate the festive color.
Hold The Paper Lantern Steady
Pixie Sticks, Lollipops & The Do-Over
Do you see the pretty lollipops?
To begin with, I fell in love with the color of these lollipops and felt they had to be in my project.
Lollipops to Hold The basket???
With this in mind, I looked for a purple paper lantern.
Which then spurred on the decision to make this paper lantern hot air balloon.
Initially, I connected the Pixie Stiks to the lollipops.
Things Are About To change
Take note of the bows.
In short, I knotted them around the neck of the lollipops and a drop of glue to keep the bows.
lollipops with Bows
Since I tend to do a few tasks at one time, not every hour was dedicated to this project.
Once I glued the support pixie sticks, I then placed the paper lantern inside.
In conclusion, the stix flexed way too much and I had to come up with plan B.
Plan B & The Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon
Reconfiguring the Hot Air Balloon Round 2
At first, I was just going to walk away, from the entire project as I was upset that I failed in the design
Then, I grabbed paper pink straws and began to support the pixie sticks.
In reality, it was the weight of the lollipop on the pixie stick that created issues.
But, since I really wanted the candy aspect tied into the design, I needed to fix the problem
My Words on Washi Tape – TIP
Washi Tape does not hold, I don’t care what ANYONE tells you, it peels right off.
Instead, glue and straws built strength, not overwhelming strength, but enough.
To move the eye away from the issue, I tied on the tulle ribbon with sequin edges.
At the top of the lollipop, I reworked the tied purple bow to make it look better.
What Occasions Can You Use this Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon For?
Easter? Bridal Showers? Baby Showers?
At first, my thoughts were to use this for gifting upcoming graduation gifts.
To sum this up, I realized these can be used for Easter Baskets and gifting as well.
In short, why stop there?
Great for many occasions and simple to construct paper lantern hot air balloons
Use the Basket of the Hot Air Balloon
Inside of the flight basket put small plants for the table favor takeaways.
By the same token of thought, you could use these for baby showers, bridal showers, outdoor weddings, birthday parties, gatherings, etc.
So then, you can change the colors, the sizes, the themes, the sky is the limit.
Add in prepackaged candies, or cookies for favors, using color for the occasion you are celebrating!
Mine was for Easter as you can see.
With unending options, I crafted more, and have since given them away!
What will you use your DIY paper lantern hot air balloon for? ~ Dana XO
⇓ HOW To make this DIY Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon ⇓
DIY Paper Lantern Hot Air Balloon
Searching for a Great Family Craft?
My products were all provided by Oriental Trading Company. Images and project are my own based on my DIY spirit~ For those of you looking for a great family craft, this is it! It will take you a few hours to complete so it is a great way to pass some time during the day! Purchase your paper lanterns anywhere you like. Personally, I suggest a larger paper lantern such as an 18" one. Consider how you will support the balloon from the basket. I really thought a lot about this and can't wait to share my project. What I thought might work, did, but needed tweaked, so be flexible in your ideas! Use the paper lantern hot air balloons for parties, showers, gatherings, centerpieces. Allow them to hold flowers, candies, pens, paper, crayons, or make them into Easter Baskets. These are very versatile balloons and anyone you give one to is sure to love it!Equipment
- Hot Glue Gun
- Scissors
Materials
- 1- 18 " Paper Lantern
- Cardboard Box Base at least 9"x9" based on Paper lantern diameter
- Irridescent construction paper
- Glue Sticks
- Glue Gun
- Scissors
- Satin Ribbon
- 4 Large Floral Lollipops
- Large Pixie Sticks 4
- Paper Straws 4
- Tulle with Glitter
- Sparkle Ribbon optional
- Press on Gems optional
- Purple Crystal Garland Gem optional
- Drawstring Treat Bags
- Sharpie Marker
- Curling Ribbon
- Iridescent Ribbon optional
Instructions
- gather everything you will need.
- heat your glue gun.
- assemble paper lantern.
- Cut a ribbon of choice (iridescent green on mine) to the length of top to bottom of paper lantern.
- Follow seaming and repeat around the entire paper lantern.
- Make a cluster of curly ribbon. Place at top of the paper lantern.
- Do this for each side x 2 total.
- Add your purple jewel garland, making sure to mark an even line AROUND entire paper lantern to ensure it is all evenly spaced.
- Affix garland with the glue gun, being certain to allow for fall.
- Next, cut the box to size.
- Glue iridescent paper onto exposed box sides.
- Next, measure level space around middle of box and mark with Sharpie to place middle ribbon (used for hanging sandbags later)
- Use Glue gun to affix purple sparkle ribbon around the entire mid-section of the box.
- With Glue gun, attach a pixie stick to the lollipop.
- The lollipop should align with the top of the pixie stick at the head of the lollipop surface (see video)
- Attach the straw to each with the glue gun and the bow.
- Allow them to dry.
- Now affix the pixie stick trio to a corner.
- Go heavy on the glue.
- Repeat this 3 more times for each corner.
- Attach the paper lantern to the pixie stick trio.
- Do a trial run before gluing.
- If you can have someone help you this is the time to ASK.
- Have them hold the paper lantern evenly (eyeball it) while you apply glue to the top of the lollipop & pixie stick.
- Hold in place while hot glue dries to alleviate fall of any sort or ripping (yeah we experienced that!)
- Attach sandbags, one per side on the hot air balloon basket.
- Add a gem to each bag (optional) for a bit of color pop.
- Construct the burner by rolling and gluing 2 small iridescent pieces of paper together.
- Attach them to the bottom loop of the paper lantern.
- To show flames, add some curly ribbon and glue it to the interior of the burner.
- To cover the TRIO of Pixie Stick, Straw and lollipop, wrap and intermittently glue with tulle and sequin ribbon.
- Load and enjoy it!