Painting Paper Lanterns: A Simple Afternoon Craft That Adds a Little Whimsy

Sometimes the best family activities aren’t the ones you spend weeks planning.

Sometimes they’re born from looking around the house and thinking, “Well…we already have these. Why not?”

That’s exactly how our painted paper lantern afternoon happened.

After a graduation party in June, I found myself with several round white paper lanterns that had done their decorating duty. I couldn’t quite bring myself to throw them away because they still had plenty of life left in them. They were simple, cheerful, and seemed to be asking for a second chance.

So one afternoon I spread out some paint, grabbed a few brushes, called Penny outside, and decided we’d see what happened.

We painted flowers, colorful patterns, dots, and all kinds of creative designs. Some lanterns looked like little works of art. Others looked exactly like what you’d expect when a 7 year old child is given unlimited paint and creative freedom—and honestly, I think those might be my favorites.

Now they’re hanging near the entrance of our garden, greeting us every time we walk outside with little pops of color and personality.

Every time I see them, they remind me that beauty doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes it just takes a little imagination.

What You’ll Need

Joanna Gott

The beauty of this project is how simple it is.

You can find everything you need at your local craft store or order it online.

Here’s what we used:

Round white paper lanterns
Acrylic craft paint
Paint brushes in a variety of sizes
Cups of water for rinsing brushes
Paper towels
A tablecloth or large piece of craft paper

That’s it!

No fancy supplies.
No complicated instructions.
Just a handful of inexpensive materials and an afternoon together.

Take the Project Outside

If the weather cooperates, I highly recommend doing this project outside. Not only is the lighting better, but you’ll spend a whole lot less time worrying about paint ending up somewhere it shouldn’t.

Joanna Gott

Let’s be honest—kids and paint have a way of expanding their creative reach far beyond the paper lantern.

Outside, you can simply relax and let them create.

Well…mostly relax.

If you happen to have a breezy afternoon like we did, you may want to come up with a plan for keeping your lanterns from taking flight. At one point, a gust of wind scooped up one of ours and sent it happily bouncing across the yard.

Then another.

Before long we were all running after paper lanterns that seemed determined to begin their own adventure without us.

I’m fairly certain at least one neighbor’s Ring camera captured the whole event. Somewhere there’s probably footage of me chasing a giant painted lantern down the street while laughing and trying not to spill my paintbrush water.

If you can, tuck your painting station into a sheltered corner of the patio or use small containers to gently hold the lanterns in place while they dry.

Your future self—and perhaps your neighbors—will thank you.

Let Kids Create Their Own Masterpieces

One of my favorite things about this project is that there really isn’t a wrong way to do it.

Some kids may carefully paint tiny flowers. Others may decide the entire lantern should become one giant rainbow. Some might cover every inch with polka dots. Others might proudly announce that brown and neon green absolutely belong together.

Joanna Gott

They’re probably right.

This isn’t about making something Pinterest-perfect. It’s about giving your kids the freedom to create something that reflects them. Children are wonderfully uninhibited artists. They don’t spend much time worrying if something looks “right.”

There’s something beautiful about that.

As adults, we can learn a lot from watching our children create with confidence and joy.

Where to Hang Them

Once they’re dry, the fun really begins.

We chose to hang ours near the entrance of our garden because they make the space feel extra welcoming and cheerful.

But there are so many places they could brighten.

Try hanging them:

From tree branches in your backyard
Around a patio or porch
In a playroom
In a child’s bedroom
Above a reading nook
In a homeschool room
For birthday parties or family celebrations

Really, anywhere you want to add a little color and whimsy.

Joanna Gott

One quick note: these paper lanterns are not weatherproof.

If they’re left outside during rain, the paper will soften, the paint may run, and your beautiful artwork could become a soggy mess.

We plan to bring ours inside if there’s rain in the forecast so we can enjoy them for as long as possible.

More Than Just a Craft

As I watched my daughter paint, I found myself thinking about how often God invites us to create. The very first thing we learn about Him in Scripture is that He is Creator. Made in His image, I don’t think it’s surprising that we find joy in making beautiful things too. Not because every project turns out perfectly or every craft deserves to be framed, but because creating has a way of slowing us down. It gives our hands something to do while our hearts begin to settle.

Some of our sweetest conversations happen side by side while we’re making something together. There isn’t any pressure to maintain eye contact or force a deep discussion. We simply paint, laugh, tell stories, and enjoy each other’s company. Somewhere between rinsing paint brushes and deciding whether the lantern needs “just one more flower,” the conversation naturally unfolds. Those ordinary afternoons often become the memories that stay with us the longest.

As parents, it’s easy to believe we need elaborate outings or expensive experiences to make childhood magical. Social media can make it seem like every memory has to be a grand adventure, but I’ve found that children rarely remember how much something cost. They remember that we sat beside them. They remember laughing until someone snorted. They remember chasing runaway paper lanterns across the yard while trying to catch them before they floated into the neighbor’s bushes. They remember that for one afternoon, the dishes waited, the laundry stayed unfolded, and we simply chose to be together.

I think those are the moments God delights in too.

He isn’t just present in the big milestones or perfectly planned family vacations. He’s there in the paint-covered fingertips, the giggles that echo across the backyard, and the quiet conversations that happen while little hands are busy creating. Those simple afternoons become gentle reminders that joy is often found in the ordinary, if we’re willing to slow down enough to notice it.

So if you happen to have a few paper lanterns tucked away after a party—or decide to pick some up on your next craft store run—I hope you’ll give this project a try. You might end up with colorful decorations for your garden, a playroom full of whimsy, or a backyard that feels just a little more magical. You might also end up with paint on your elbows and your own appearance on someone’s Ring camera as you chase a lantern down the street.

But more importantly, you’ll create something far more meaningful than painted paper. You’ll create space to laugh, connect, and make memories with your children. Years from now, they probably won’t remember every flower they painted or every color they used. But there’s a good chance they’ll remember that you were there beside them—and that is always the most beautiful thing we can create.