Create magical ice candles with an Ice Lantern Kit! This DIY winter craft guide shows you how to make beautiful outdoor luminaries that add a cozy glow to both outdoor and indoor chilly nights.
Ready to bring a little frosty magic to your winter decor?
Wintercraft Globe Ice Lantern
With a fun Wintercraft Globe Ice Lantern Kit with years of ice making experience behind it, creating stunning ice luminaries is easier than ever!
Pop in a few tea lights, and you’ve got glowing ice candles perfect for decorating your porch or setting the scene indoors as a centerpiece.
Did I mention they last up to 10 hours inside?
Perfect for an après-ski party or a cozy winter gathering!
Pro Tip
Find more winter inspiration in this Après Ski Theme Party Vintage-Inspired Host ideas post.
Ice Candles | Ice Lantern | Ice Luminaries
Ice candles, ice lanterns, ice luminaries, what’s the difference, you ask?
Think of them as stunning frozen works of art that glow from within!
These beautiful ice lanterns and luminaries bring cozy, Scandinavian-inspired charm to your front porch, outdoor yard, or dining table.
Whether you’re setting the mood for a winter soirée or simply basking in some ice luminary magic, crafting your own ice lanterns is a creative way to embrace the season with warm, flickering light.
Pro Tip
You may also find inspiration in this Ice Candles How to DIY Winter Lanterns Tutorial post.
Globe Ice Lanterns
Globe ice lanterns are like the chic cousins of the classic ice candle—round, radiant, and ready to steal the spotlight.
These stunning ice globes feature a sphere-like design with a smooth, glistening shell of ice and a clever twist—the hole is on the bottom!
That means you place the light or candle on the ground and cover it with the lantern, unlike traditional ice lanterns where the light is dropped in from the top.
This design not only makes them extra magical but also helps the candle flicker longer, keeping your ice luminary glowing beautifully all night long!
Pro Tip
You may also want to try making one of these ice buckets! Learn more in this DIY Ice Bucket: How to Make Chic Floral Party Buckets post.
Beautiful Ice Lanterns
I chose globe ice lanterns because they’re not only stunning but also so much fun to make, especially with this deluxe kit by Wintercraft!
This easy, all-in-one solution has everything you need to create these elegant candle holders, and in just 24 hours, you’ll have beautiful DIY ice candles ready to light up your winter nights.
Inspired by Scandinavian traditions where glowing ice luminaries brighten long, snowy winters, these globes are perfect for this time of year.
DIY Ice Lanterns Simple Steps
All you need to make a DIY ice candle is this Watercraft kit.
Freezing Ice Lanterns
Plus, of course, a freezer or outdoor temperature below 20 degrees.
Pro Tip \ What I learned
Attach the balloon to your sinks faucet with the kit’s freezer tray underneath it, ready to catch it as it fills up.
Fill the balloon with water so it rests in the freezer tray nicely, then have the easy-close clip with you and attach it to the balloon’s top prior to removing it from the faucet, or water will go everywhere. Lesson learned!
If the balloon doesn’t fit snuggly into the freezer tray, it will roll away; again, a lesson learned: I tried overfilling my balloon to make extra large ice lanterns. Don’t do that or yours will roll away as mine did here.
Follow the ice lantern kit packaging directions and let the balloon sit in the freezer tray outside or in the freezer for 24 hours.
There is only one freezer tray, so you can only make one ice lantern at a time.
Once frozen, bring your kit’s balloon inside, cut the bottom, and let the excess water drain out.
Ice Lantern Balloon
Ice Lantern Making in the Freezer
Freezing Ice Lantern Balloons in the Freezer
I tried freezing my ice candle balloons both outside and inside our freezer. I think the ones I made in the freezer came out much nicer as an FYI. I don’t understand why, but for some reason they are much clearer and more durable.
Add your small tea light from the Wintercraft kit, and enjoy your beautiful globe ice lantern this winter.
LED Lights
I chose to add these LED lights with a remote control, which I found on Amazon, replacing the kit’s tea lights.
Ice Luminary Magic Decorating Ideas
Ice luminaries bring a magical glow to winter days and are a delightful way to decorate outdoors.
From botanical-filled designs to simple accents with berries and pine cones, these creative ideas transform frozen water into captivating winter decor.
Let’s explore six charming ways to use ice luminaries to brighten your snowy surroundings!
6 Ice Lantern Decorating Ideas
Entryway Glow
Line your front walkway with bucket ice lanterns filled with individual berries and small pine cones for a cozy, welcoming glow that’s the perfect size for guiding guests on dark winter evenings.
Botanical Winter Centerpiece
Use botanical ice lanterns as a stunning table centerpiece. Fill the molds with beautiful things like evergreen sprigs, dried flowers, and citrus slices for a unique seasonal touch.
Porch Display
Cluster several bucket ice lanterns of varying sizes on your porch steps, mixing in small pine cones and individual berries to create a rustic winter vibe.
Garden Trail Magic
Illuminate your snowy garden with a trail of botanical ice lanterns, highlighting their intricate frozen details to brighten up the dark weather.
Winter Party Decor
Set up an enchanting outdoor winter scene by scattering ice wrangler-made globes along a snowy table, adding beautiful things like candles inside for warm flickering light.
Unique Gift Idea
Craft custom botanical ice lanterns as a great gift for friends or neighbors. Fill each with individual berries and small details that reflect their personality—beautiful, thoughtful, and memorable!
Creating ice lanterns with the Ice Lantern Kit Deluxe is such an easy and rewarding winter craft that brings a magical glow to any space, indoors or out.
Whether you’re adorning a snowy pathway, adding ambiance to your dining table, or styling a cozy corner in your home, these globe luminaries are a simple way to make your decor feel extra special.
Pro Tip
You may also be inspired by this Antique Snowshoes: Winter White Pair on Vintage Door post.
With the step-by-step guide and six creative decorating ideas I’ve shared, you’re ready to bring these enchanting pieces to life in your own home.
I’ve loved incorporating them into my spaces, and I hope this inspires you to get creative with how you use them too!
Most Common Questions About Ice Lanterns
What are ice lantern ideas?
Ice candle ideas include creating beautiful luminaries by freezing water in molds with added decorations like flowers, berries, pinecones, or leaves for a natural, whimsical look. You can also use food coloring to create vibrant, colorful lanterns or experiment with unique shapes by using items like buckets, balloons, or cake pans as molds. These frozen creations are perfect for lining walkways, enhancing outdoor gatherings, or adding a magical touch to your winter decor.
Can you make ice lanterns outside?
Yes, they are perfect for outdoor use, as the cold temperatures help them freeze and hold their shape, making them ideal for winter decor and outdoor gatherings.
How long does it take to make ice lanterns?
Making ice candles typically takes about 4 to 6 hours for the water to freeze, depending on the size of your mold. If you’re using water balloons as your ice lantern mold, it’s best to allow the water to freeze overnight for the most solid and durable lanterns. I recommend 12-24 hours.
Are ice lanterns good for winter?
Yes, they are perfect for winter as they add a magical, frosty glow to outdoor spaces while complementing the season’s chill. They create a stunning, natural ambiance for holiday parties, winter solstice, outdoor walks, or Christmas Eve displays.
There’s something so cozy and timeless about these glowing globes—they’re perfect for any occasion or simply to enjoy during the winter months.
Let me know in the comments how you’ll be decorating with ice lanterns this season, and don’t forget to share your creations with me!
Happy crafting and decorating!
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These are so cool, Ann! What a fun idea! I am loving our cold winter!
Aren’t they so fun? I’m enjoying it too, we’ve had snow almost every morning, it’s so beautiful!
Ann, What a fun diy!! So magical. I’m going to order the kit now. Thanks you for the share!
Cara 🙂
I thought so too Cara. It would be fun for your to make with your granddaughter!