Turn Dollar Tree tumbling tower blocks into a cute little DIY lantern with this step-by-step tutorial. An easy craft for cozy home decor on a budget.
How to make a mini lantern craft using Dollar Tree Tumbling Tower Blocks.
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If you love crafting with Dollar Tree supplies, then you’ve probably seen the magic that can happen with a box of their wooden Jenga-style blocks, also known as Tumbling Tower blocks. These tiny wooden pieces might be meant for game night, but crafters everywhere have discovered just how versatile they are for DIY projects!
In the past, I’ve crafted with these wooden blocks to make:
Video Tutorial: Dollar Tree Mini Jenga Lantern
Watch this quick video to see how these crafts came together:
Dollar Tree Mini Jenga Lantern
This DIY Dollar Tree lantern made from tumbling tower blocks is the perfect cozy decor project. Simple supplies, big impact.
Materials
- Dollar Tree Tumbling Tower Game
- 1 small unfinished wood cube (Dollar Tree)
- FolkArt Wood Tint (Walnut) — or any stain/paint you prefer
- Battery-operated tea light candle
- Wood Glue
- Paper towels
- Gloves (highly recommended for staining!)
Tools
- Small paintbrush (for applying glue precisely)
- Hot glue gun (optional for quick tacking)
- Craft knife or scissors
- Cutting mat or frosted plastic sheet (for lantern walls)
- Scoring tool (or back of a butter knife)
Instructions
- Watch the video. Follow along with the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make your own little lantern craft.
- Begin to Assemble Your Wood Pieces. Start by gluing together: Six sets of three tumbling tower blocks, Four sets of two tumbling tower blocks (these will be your corner pillars), and two frames made of 4 blocks each. Use a small paintbrush to apply the wood glue — it gives you much better control on the small surfaces.
- Make the Lantern Top. On one of the 3-block sets, glue a small unfinished wood cube on top. This will become the lantern’s “handle” on the lid. Allow all glued pieces to dry completely.
- Stain (or Paint) Everything. Stain all of your wood pieces on all sides. Yes, it’s messy, so wear gloves. Wipe off excess stain and allow everything to dry.
- Build the Lantern Base. Take four of your 3-block sets and arrange them into a square: Alternate the direction of each piece so the corners line up neatly. Glue them together to form a large square base.
- Add the Frame & Top Layer. Place one of your small square frames centered on top of the base and glue it in place. Then glue another 3-block set on top of that frame.
- Attach the Pillars. Glue the four 2-block stacks vertically onto each corner of the top square. Make sure they are perfectly straight — these determine the final shape of your lantern.
- Create the Removable Top. Your topper consists of: A small wood frame, 3-block set glued on top, with a mini wood cube glued on top of that. Do not glue this to the lantern. Instead, place it on top while the pillars dry. This helps the pillars cure perfectly straight.
- Make the Lantern Walls. Measure the height of the pillars and the distance between them. Cut a strip of frosted plastic or cutting mat to those measurements.. Score three vertical lines so the strip folds into a square tube. Slide this insert between the pillars to create the lantern walls.
- Add Candle & Finish. Drop in a battery-operated tea light, place the topper back on… and admire your gorgeous little DIY lantern ✨
The Finished Craft
And there you have a cute little DIY lantern. Make a few in different sizes and scatter them around your home for instant cozy vibes.
Don’t Forget to PIN this Jenga Block Craft for Later:
