Ramadan Paper Lanterns

I‘m excited: this is my first tutorial! This tutorial is based on some Zoom craft sessions I am doing as part of a Ramadan Club organised by parents and teachers of Olivewood Primary which my sons attend. Some participants (okay just one!) requested a guide. So instead of bombarding the WhatsApp group with loads of stuff i thought:

Hey, i have a website, why don’t i share this with the rest of the world?
-said by me

In many parts of the Muslim world lanterns or fanoos are illuminating mosques and entrances as part of the traditional decorations during the month of fasting, called Ramadan. So here is my Blue Peter version:

At its simplest, this craft is ideal for young kids to do and helps with improving their motor skills. The version here is a little bit more complicated and involves the use of a small star punch to give the lantern a bit more pizzazz.

The supplies you need for this craft are:

Fold the A5 paper in half to form a long rectangle and cut a strip (about 1 inch wide) off the short side of the rectangle. This will form the handle of the lantern.
Punch out stars on the open edge to form a border. I line the edge of my punch to the previous star to ensure the distance between the stars is roughly the same,
Keep the stars that you punch out! Some punches have a base to collect the cutting but others may not.
Fold the open edge towards you to form a star border. Turn the paper over and do the same on the other side. Unfold the borders on both sides.
Cut lines on the folded edge up to the line formed by unfolded border. Use the stars as a guide as to how many and where the cuts should be made (i.e. half way between each consecutive pair of stars).
Unfold the paper completely and Pritt stick one short side. Stick this under the other short side by forming a tube.
Using the foam pads stick on the stars cut out earlier.
Pritt stick on the handle to the top of the lantern.