These yarn balloon fairy lanterns are such a fun and simple craft. With just a few basic supplies, you can create beautiful lanterns that glow with a magical light.
This project is perfect for a cozy weekend at home, and it’s easy enough for the whole family to join in. If you’re looking for a relaxing craft that adds a soft touch to your space, these lanterns are a great choice. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Supplies
- Balloons
- Yarn (I used ivory and thin gold together)
- ½ cup clear glue
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Oil cooking spray
- String fairy lights
- Whisk
- Scissors
Video
Watch us make these magical lanterns in our video below!
Instructions
- Prepare the Glue Mixture:
- In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup clear glue, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. This mixture will coat 1-2 lanterns. Double the recipe for 3-5 lanterns, or remake as needed to avoid it drying out.
- Inflate the Balloons:
- Blow up your balloons to the desired size for your lanterns. Avoid overinflating to keep them round. Tie them off securely.
- Coat the Balloons:
- Lightly spray the balloons with oil cooking spray. This will help remove the yarn easily later.
- Dip the Yarn:
- Cut long pieces of yarn (about 4-5 feet) and dip them into the glue mixture. Use your fingers to squeeze off any excess glue so the yarn isn’t too drippy.
- Wrap the Yarn:
- Wrap the coated yarn around the balloon in random directions until you’re happy with the coverage. Leave some gaps to allow light to shine through.
- Dry the Lantern:
- Hang the balloons to dry for at least 24 hours or until the yarn is completely hardened. Be sure they are fully dry before moving on to the next step.
- Pop and Remove the Balloons:
- Once the yarn is stiff, pop the balloon with a pin or scissors. Gently remove the deflated balloon from inside the yarn structure.
- Add Fairy Lights:
- Insert the string fairy lights into the lantern, carefully spreading them out inside.
Sherie says
I used twine and had the hardest time having it stay on the balloon. What am I doing? Wrong on 3 different balloons , different techniques and the twine just keeps slipping and not staying tight. Thank you in advance for your advice.
CraftSharePlay says
Thanks for checking! Twine is probably the culprit here. It’s thicker and more rigid than yarn, so it doesn’t soak up as much of the glue mixture or hug the balloon as you wrap it. That’s what makes it slip instead of staying in place.
Yarn or a softer string works best because it fully saturates with the glue and molds to the balloon as it dries. 😊