Daylight Saving Time is a parent’s nemesis, but an easy lantern craft and time change walk help my family spirit away the blues that accompany increasingly darker nights.
Most parents I know don’t like Daylight Saving Time–sleep struggles anyone? But I absolutely loathe it.
» RELATED READ: Don’t Lose Sleep Over Daylight Saving Time :: 4 Tips to Help Kids Adjust «
I grew up in Arizona, which doesn’t observe Daylight Saving. Then, I attended college on the East Coast. The day after Daylight Saving Time ended, I was flabbergasted exiting my class at 5 p.m. It was almost pitch dark!
As a mom, my hatred of the time change only grew. It seemed as soon as we’d survive a sleep regression, Daylight Saving would start or end and make bedtimes and wake-ups a disaster again. I grew to dread the twice-yearly changes.
Then, I learned about a time change lantern walk. It’s now a simple tradition that brings us joy on that first dark afternoon of fall.
We turn spare glass jars into enchanting lanterns with leftover colorful tissue paper and glue. When the lanterns are dry, we add a tea light and string.
Then, on that first evening after Daylight Saving Time ends, we head out at dusk for a short stroll around the neighborhood.
The kids love watching the lanterns glow and revel in the novelty of walking in the (almost) dark.
After our walk, we keep the lanterns on the table for cozy “candlelight” dinners, holiday decorations, or a little extra magic on dark winter nights.
So when Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 3, you’ll find us embracing the changing light with our little family lantern walk.
How to make a lantern for your time change walk
Materials:
- Glass jar with metal ring
- Liquid glue
- Water
- Colorful tissue paper, ripped into small pieces
- Paintbrush
- String
- Battery-powered tea light
Mix one part glue to one part water. A tablespoon or two of each should be enough. Use a paintbrush to apply the glue mixture to the outside of the glass jar. Stick the tissue paper pieces onto the glue, and cover with another layer of glue if needed. (Let kids make a mess globbing on the glue and paper. It’s half the fun!) Set out of reach of little hands to dry.
Once the glue is dry, tie both sides of a length of string to the metal ring, and tighten the lid around the jar. Add a tea light and take your lantern out for a walk at dusk to welcome the changing time!
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