JOHOR BARU — A local businessman has revived a nostalgic childhood tradition by crafting lanterns from used beverage tins with his six-year-old son in celebration of this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

Er Wee Meng, 45, grew up in Yong Peng during the 1980s, when resourcefulness was key for families with limited means. Instead of buying paper lanterns, which could be a fire hazard, children in his village made their own lanterns using empty Milo tins and food cans. The tins were perforated with nails and hammers to create decorative patterns, then fitted with metal wire handles to be hung sideways for the festival’s nightly parades.

For Er, the decision to revisit this simple craft was an opportunity to share a piece of his childhood with his young son, Yi Nuo. “We wanted to show him how children used to play and appreciate the simple joys of life with limited resources,” Er said. This year, Yi Nuo experienced using tools under close supervision as he helped punch holes and assemble the lanterns alongside his father.

The activity attracted other children, including Yi Nuo’s cousin from Singapore and a neighbor’s child, creating a small group engaged in the hands-on experience. Er hopes the project will serve as a way to preserve cultural practices and instill an appreciation for heritage in the younger generation.

Er’s wife shared their lantern-making experience on social media, prompting an outpouring of positive responses from friends who recalled similar childhood memories. Several expressed interest in trying the craft with their own children, reflecting a broader appeal of returning to traditional, sustainable pastimes.

In addition to tin lanterns, Er has taught Yi Nuo to make paper kites from newspaper, emphasizing skills that encourage creativity and resourcefulness. “We hope these activities will help him value what he has today and, someday, pass these traditions down to his own children,” he added.

The revival of this simple, community-centered craft not only connects generations but also highlights the continuing relevance of cultural traditions in contemporary family life.