Paper lanterns are one of the friendliest origami subjects, partly because the fold is gentle and partly because the finished model actually looks like the thing it is meant to be. Most of the work is quiet preparation — crease, fold the edges in, turn over, repeat — and then one last move opens everything into a glowing rounded shape. Fold a few from red or yellow paper and hang them together, or put one over a small battery tea light and watch how much light the paper passes.

STEP 1. Take a square sheet of paper, fold it in half from left to right to make a crease, then unfold.

STEP 2. Fold the long side edges in to the center line.

STEP 3. Fold all the corners inward.

STEP 4. Turn the piece over.

STEP 5. Fold the top and bottom sections inward so the shape becomes a rectangle.

STEP 6. Turn the piece over again.

STEP 7. Fold all four corners inward.

STEP 8. Turn the piece over.

STEP 9. Open out the top and bottom sections, drawing their side edges away from each other.

STEP 10. The lantern is complete!