Halloween lantern craft: free printable template

A homemade lantern is the best part of Halloween for little ones. The light makes the dark friendly straight away. Hylkia drew one especially for Halloween, with the Hartendief mice behind four windows. A drawing by day, and a little story when the light comes on. Just like our lamps.

Download the lantern craft kit for free. Choose your language: English, German or Dutch.

What's included

• Step-by-step instructions
• Lantern template (print it twice)
• Two insert sheets with four Halloween drawings to colour in

One 4-page PDF, A4 landscape. Print at 100% or "actual size" so the measurements are right. The finished lantern is about 13 × 13 × 12.5 cm.

What you need

• Translucent (coloured) tissue paper
• Coloured pencils or felt-tip pens
• Scissors, a craft knife and a ruler
• Glue
• A battery or USB LED light

Tip: print the template on thicker paper or thin card if your printer can handle it. Your lantern will be sturdier.

Making it together with your toddler

Colouring in is your child's job. You do the cutting with the craft knife. Then let your child choose the tissue paper colours and help with the gluing. Save the best moment for last: switch off the big light, put the LED light in the lantern and watch the mice appear together.

Read a story with it

In Ghost Mouse Is Scared, Ghost Mouse suddenly hears another ghost in the dark Mouse Castle. Luckily Lantern Mouse comes to look with her lantern. Three minutes to read aloud, with a light that switches on at the end. More ideas for the evening: Halloween with toddlers.

The mice also live on the Mice and Ghosts wall decals, and in the Mouse Castle lamp Lantern Mouse sits in the tower room.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lantern craft kit really free?

Yes. Choose your language, check out for €0 and you'll get the PDF as a download.

Can I use a real candle?

Use an LED light. It's safe in a paper lantern, and your child can carry it themselves.

From what age can my child join in?

Most children can colour in from about two. Do the cutting and gluing together.

© Original Hartendief designs, for personal use only.