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DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Luminaria Craft

Thanks so much to Claire for sharing this craft idea with us!

"Here is a craft project that I use and all kids small and large love.  The students take the original luminaria home and make more to line their porches for Halloween and parties. They've made hundreds of them for prom. They've sold the metal ones at a craft fair."  Claire Stracke, Davidson Fine Arts, Augusta, Georgia

Metal Version
Note:  Outdoors only and with adult supervision

Materials:

bulletclean tin cans with top completely removed.
bullet rectangular cans (olive oil, molasses, etc.) work especially well
bulletwater
bullethammer
bulletone nail
bulletsand or dirt
bulletsmall candle 

Instructions:

bulletDraw a connect-the-dots type of design on the can, a simple house, a tree, stars, an adobe church, etc.
  
bulletBe sure that the design involves the middle third of the can, at least.
  
bulletMake sure the design is on at least 2, opposite, sides of the can. When it is punched out, it should allow circulation of air and so keep the candle lit.
   
bulletFill the clean can with water and place in freezer for at least 24 hours.  (More if the can is large.)
  
bulletTake out the ice-filled can and place n its side on a towel or a thick pad of newspapers.
  
bulletNow you will need to work fast because as the ice melts the force of the hammer and nail may bend the can.
  
bulletUse the hammer and nail to punch out the dots for your design.
  
bulletPlace 2-3 inches of dirt or sand in can.
  
bulletPut the unlit candle in the can.
  
bulletMove to the location where it will be needed.
   
bulletUse another candle or stick to light the candle.

Paper Bag Version
Note:  Outdoors only and with adult supervision

Materials:

bulletpaper lunch bag
bulletsand
bulletcandle
bulletscissors

Instructions:

bulletDraw the designs about half way down the bag.
  
bulletKeep the bag folded and draw stars and moons or other simple designs on one side.
  
bulletCarefully cut out the design through both sides.
  
bulletOpen the bag and put about 2-3 inches of dirt or sand in the bottom.
  
bulletPut an unlit candle in the bag and place the luminaria where it will stay - in a flower pot with more dirt, or on edges of path.
  
bulletWhen needed, use another candle or long stick to light the candle.  Be careful. If there is a breeze, the bag may light while you are doing this, so have many luminarias ready.

 

 

Printable version of these instructions