For the spooky season, we like to do a lot of programs in our children’s department. I was terrible at taking photos for the ones I did alone, but my coworkers Z & J put on this wonderful program (I oversaw it since I’m the lone librarian at the branch) and we got some good images for it.
Here’s what we did:
Description:
Stop by for a spine-tingling, creepy craft! We’ll be making some ghastly, ghostly, and glowing lanterns with tissue paper and mason jars. Open to ages 7-12.
Items Needed:
1) Tissue paper (In Halloween colors such as white, black, orange, green, red, etc)
2) Mod podge or glue that dries clear
3) Foam brushes
4) Tea Lights (we got a 24 pack for about $10)
5) Scissors (optional in case kids prefer to cut the paper rather than rip it)
6) Paper and pencils
7) Empty and clean jars (everything from mason, yogurt, pickle or jam jars, etc)
All in all, it cost about $40 because we used some items we already had on hand and utilized recycled jars that staff collected.
First, the kids were asked to think about what halloween-ish thing they wanted to make. We had them sketch their idea on paper and to think about what color tissue paper they’d need for their idea. Then they could pick up their supplies and choose their jars from the supply table we set up.
Instructions:
1) Pick the base color of your jar. If you’re doing a ghost, you might choose white. If you’re doing Frankenstein’s monster, you might choose a green.
2) Cut or rip up pieces for your base color.
3) Put on a thin layer of mod podge on your jar.
4) Start piecing the base color onto the jar.
5) At this point, you can decide to smooth out the tissue paper and add another thin layer of mod podge to create a smooth and sealed surface OR you can leave it as is to create more texture or make it look a bit more cloth-like.
6) Now, we add layers or details. Keeping in mind that you don’t want the paper layers to be too thick as to prevent the tea light to shine through.
7) The details can be facial features, color distinctions (see the mummy above where white was the base and cream/yellow-ish to add depth for the mummy’s bandages)
8) Once they’re happy with their lantern, they just add the tea light and it’s all done!
And that was it! A fairly cheap, easy, and fun craft to get everyone into the spooky season. Happy Halloween!
Librarian Ginny 