I was watching a clip on TV about the Tsunami that struck Asia last year, and during the show, there were many people who were launching these Mini Paper Hot Air lanterns in respect for the dead. They looked like little paper bags that were being held upside down over a tea candle by only a few strings. The flame from the tea candle filled the bag and this thing floated right out of the palm of their hands and into the night just like a real hot air balloon.

Although this was a very heartbreaking event, I could not help but wonder how they made those lanterns. Does anyone here know how to construct them and the actual material they used? I don't think the paper bags you get from the store would work because they appear to be too heavy.

Anyone here know?

I was watching a clip on TV about the Tsunami that struck Asia last year, and during the show, there were many people who were launching these Mini Paper Hot Air lanterns in respect for the dead. They looked like little paper bags that were being held upside down over a tea candle by only a few strings. The flame from the tea candle filled the bag and this thing floated right out of the palm of their hands and into the night just like a real hot air balloon.

Although this was a very heartbreaking event, I could not help but wonder how they made those lanterns. Does anyone here know how to construct them and the actual material they used? I don't think the paper bags you get from the store would work because they appear to be too heavy.

Anyone here know?

I'm not sure how these lanterns are made, but years ago I saw a picture in a book about a similar thing some guys made that caused a UFO scare. It was a miniature hot air balloon made from a plastic bag and some soda straws.

I would guess the ones you saw were made with rice paper. Very light.

To make paper mache paste...
combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl.
Add this mixture to a saucepan of 2 cups boiling water and bring it to a boil again.
Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar.
Let it cool; it will thicken as it cools. Once it does, it's ready to use.

I would imagine they used rice paper also.

You can use twine or gun cleaners as string for the basket and a small yogurt dish would work good for the basket.

I found some rice paper on eBay. When it comes, I'm gonna give this a try and let you all know how it turned out


Thanks :)

Form the rice paper into a globe using paste and thin rattan or twigs.

Attach at least three strings to the bottom opening of the globe, or more probably something shaped like a squash that you made. Attach the lid from a tin of shoe polish to the bottom of the strings, about six inches or so from the lower opening. Place a small piece of tea candle (not the entire candle) in the center of the tin and light it.


Alternately, you can take a black, plastic garbage bag and fasten a wire coat hanger formed into a circle at the open end. In that case you can use a larger heat source to get it rising.

Sometimes you can simply blow up a black plastic garbage bag, fasten the open end and allow it to lie in the sun of a very warm day. The air inside will heat enough to cause the bag to rise.

Fill a balloon with air then release the end, it will take off, lot less work. :)

I found some rice paper on eBay. When it comes, I'm gonna give this a try and let you all know how it turned out


Might I suggest trying it when the grass is damp?