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How to Make DIY Jack-o’-Lantern Lanterns for a Glowing Halloween

Looking to add a festive glow to your Halloween decor without the mess of pumpkin carving? Enter the DIY jack-o’-lantern lantern—a fun and modern twist on the classic carved pumpkin. These glowing decorations are perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a charming, spooky vibe that can light up any Halloween night. Whether you’re decorating your porch, living room, or party space, jack-o’-lantern lanterns are an easy, creative way to brighten up your Halloween. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to craft your own glowing lanterns with minimal effort and maximum impact. Let’s get started and bring a little extra shine to your spooky season!

Materials You’ll Need

To create these glowing jack-o’-lantern lanterns, gather the following materials:

  • Paper Lanterns: Orange paper lanterns work best, but if you can only find white, you can paint them. These lanterns are lightweight and come in various sizes, making them ideal for hanging both indoors and outdoors.
  • Orange Paint: If you don’t have pre-colored lanterns, orange acrylic paint will transform your white lanterns into classic pumpkin-style decor.
  • Black Paper: Use black construction paper or cardstock to create the jack-o’-lantern faces. The sturdier the paper, the better it will hold up.
  • Glue or Double-Sided Tape: You’ll need a strong adhesive to attach the facial features to the lanterns.
  • LED Lights or String Lights: These will give your lanterns their festive glow, adding to the spooky atmosphere. LED lights are safe and easy to use inside paper lanterns.

With these materials ready, you’re all set to create your glowing Halloween decor!

Painting the Lanterns

If you’re using white paper lanterns, the first step is to paint them orange to resemble traditional jack-o’-lanterns:

  1. Prepare Your Workspace: Lay down some newspaper or plastic to protect your surfaces from paint. Make sure you have enough room to allow the lanterns to dry.
  2. Paint the Lanterns: Using a foam brush or a regular paintbrush, apply a coat of orange paint to the paper lanterns. If the paper lanterns are thin, a light touch is all you need, as you want to avoid ripping the paper. You may need two coats to get an even color.
  3. Let Them Dry: Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step. This should take about 30-60 minutes, depending on the thickness of the paint.

Now that you have bright orange “pumpkins,” it’s time to give them some spooky faces!

Attaching the Faces

Now comes the fun part—creating the jack-o’-lantern expressions! Here’s how to craft and attach the faces:

  1. Cut Out the Facial Features: On the black paper, sketch out classic jack-o’-lantern features like triangle eyes, noses, and jagged mouths. You can also get creative with different expressions—try a spooky grin, a surprised look, or something silly for a more lighthearted touch.
  2. Cut and Shape the Paper: Once you’ve drawn your designs, carefully cut them out using scissors or an X-Acto knife. Make sure the shapes are sized to fit well on your lanterns without being too large or too small.
  3. Attach the Faces: Use glue or double-sided tape to carefully attach the facial features to your lanterns. Smooth the paper to avoid air bubbles, and ensure the features are aligned for a clean look. You can experiment with different placements—some faces can look mischievous or even upside down for a quirky twist!

With the faces attached, your lanterns are already looking festive. Now, it’s time to make them glow!

Lighting Them Up

To complete the look and give your jack-o’-lantern lanterns their iconic glow, it’s time to add lighting:

  1. LED Lights: For a soft, flickering effect similar to candlelight, use battery-operated LED lights. Open the bottom of the lantern, place the LED light inside, and secure it. You can adjust the light to make sure it fills the lantern evenly.
  2. String Lights: If you prefer hanging your lanterns, you can weave string lights through them for a continuous glow. This works well if you plan to hang multiple lanterns together, as the string lights will connect them in a cohesive display.
  3. Placement Ideas: Hang your glowing jack-o’-lanterns from tree branches, porch beams, or inside your home. You can also place them along pathways, mantels, or in windows for a welcoming, spooky vibe.

With just a few simple materials and a little creativity, you can create glowing jack-o’-lantern lanterns that add charm and spookiness to your Halloween decor. These DIY lanterns are the perfect way to brighten up your space, whether indoors or outdoors, and offer a modern twist on traditional pumpkin carving.

Try making your own jack-o’-lantern lanterns and share your glowing creations on social media with the hashtag #DIYJackOLanternLanterns for a chance to be featured!