Family Friday: Obon Lantern Craft

Footsteps2Brilliance

In this week’s Family Friday you will make a lantern for the Japanese holiday called Obon which takes place from the 13th to the 15th of the seventh lunar month. Obon honors and remembers people who have died. Families place candles in lanterns and float them down the river. Read our step-by-step guide on how to make your own Obon lantern at home to celebrate!

What you need:

  • A piece of paper
  • A large plastic bottle
  • Small flashlight or flameless candle
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Colored pencils/Markers

Step 1

Open your Footsteps2Brilliance App, and go to Level 2 (Yellow). In the Holidays Around the World series, read the book Holidays Around the World: K-O.

Step 2

Decorate the piece of paper anyway you would like. This will be the outside of your lantern.

Step 3

Using scissors, carefully cut off the bottom of the water bottle.

Step 4

Wrap the piece of paper around the bottle and secure it with a piece of tape.

Step 5

Place the flashlight or flameless candle inside of the bottle.

Now you are ready to celebrate Obon!

Enjoyed making your own Obon lantern? Find more Family Friday crafts here.

Looking for this activity en español? Click here for the Spanish version of the Holidays Around the World book and blog.