The Best 60 Chinese New Year Crafts and Activities for Kids [Updated for 2024]
A Chinese New Year party with kids can be a lot of fun, and this list of 60 Chinese New Year Crafts and activities for kids is just what you need to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in 2024!
What is the Lunar New Year /Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is a very important day in China and is also celebrated widely across countries like Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, etc which has a vast diaspora of people of Chinese ethnicity/ origin. The Chinese New Year is also a fab opportunity to introduce kids to China as a country and its amazing geography, wildlife, history, and food.
When is the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year in 2024?
Chinese New Year 2024 falls on Saturday, 10th February 2024, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on 24th February 2024.
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
Chinese zodiac years begin/end at Chinese New Year (in January/February). The Chinese zodiac, or sheng xiao, refers to the circle of 12 animals that measure the cycles of time. Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years.
Legend has it that a god beckoned all animals to bid him farewell before he departed from Earth. Only 12 of them, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig arrived, with each given a place of honor in a year based on the order of arrival.
CHINESE ZODIAC ANIMAL HEADBAND SET
Your kids will love these fun color, cut & assemble animal headbands for the Chinese New Year; they are a perfect complement to your seasonal activities! Buy it from our shop here – CHINESE ZODIAC ANIMAL HEADBAND SET
CHINESE ZODIAC SIGNS COOTIE CATCHERS
Get your hands on our fun and unique printable Chinese Zodiac Cootie Catchers! These origami-inspired games feature all 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Perfect for parties, classrooms, or just for fun, these cootie catchers are sure to delight both kids and adults. Simply print, fold, and play! This printable is free for all paid members during January. Get your copy today from our January 2023 Bundle.
Why is the Chinese New Year 2024, The Year of the Dragon?
The Lunar New Year marks the transition from one sign into another, which in this case is Rabbit into Dragon. Dragon is the fifth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac sign. 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon, starting on 10th February 2024 (Chinese New Year), and ending on 28th January 2025 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). The Dragon is a symbol of authority, prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture.
How to wish someone a Happy Lunar New Year?
People wish each other good luck, happiness, and wealth for the new year. The words used most in good wishes are: happiness, wealth, prosperity, prosperous, and auspicious.
‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ means ‘Have a prosperous New Year!’
What are some activities for the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is an opportunity for families to thoroughly cleanse their homes. It is symbolic of sweeping away any ill-fortune and making way for incoming good luck. On Chinese New Year, the themes of happiness (shuang xi), wealth, and longevity are celebrated. On this special day, families reunite, special foods are eaten, fireworks are lit, and children receive money in lucky red paper envelopes.
60 Chinese New Year Crafts for Kids
1. DIY Chinese Lanterns
These paper lanterns from Nurture Store are a great way for young children to practice their scissor skills and are perfect for decorating the house in time for the Chinese New Year celebrations
2. DIY Paper Fortune Cookie
These easy paper fortune cookies from Unsophisticook make for great keepsakes and gifts for our little guests. Perfect for a Chinese New Year-themed party!
3. DIY Paper Plate Chinese Drum
You can’t have a list of Chinese New Year crafts without a little noise, which is why we love this drum craft from Gift of Curiosity! Make a Chinese Drum together with simple materials and have a parade!
4. Chinese New Year Candle Holder
First Palette shows us how to create a Chinese lantern-like candle holder by decorating a glass jar with red tissue paper and acrylic paint. Perfect decor for the festive season!
5. Chinese New Year Sensory Play Dough
Yes, even the little ones can get involved with Chinese New Year crafts, like this sensory play dough from Nurture Store. Enjoy some red and gold-themed sensory play, inspired by lucky Chinese colors.
6. Cherry Blossom Art from Recycled Soda Bottle
Blossom trees are much prized in both China and Japan and are linked closely with spring festivals. Chinese New Year, for example, celebrates the blossom in all its forms, and we’re also doing the same with this project from AlphaMom.
7. Traditional Wool Painted Chinese Hand Fan Craft
Crafts on Sea brings us a cute and simple Chinese fan craft that’s super simple to set up and uses a fun way to paint without a paintbrush!
8. Make a Paper Plate Lantern Craft
“Wish you make a fortune.” That’s the lovely message on this fun and festive paper lantern craft from Kix Cereal. It’s super easy to make, using a paper plate and some supplies from the dollar store.
9. Hanging Citrus Fruit Paper Craft
Oranges are passed out freely on Chinese New Year because they represent luck and wealth. Buggy and Buddy shows us how to make an easy hanging citrus craft, with just a few materials.
10. Decorative Chinese Knot Wall Hanging
This decorative wall hanging from Panda Hall is the perfect addition to these Chinese New Year crafts! Celebrate Chinese New Year by trying this traditional knot-tying craft that symbolizes prosperity and success.
11. Chinese Coin Tree
The coin tree is a popular Chinese ornament believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Learn how to create your own coin tree to celebrate the Chinese New Year with instructions from First Palette.
12. Potato Stamped Panda Art
I Heart Arts n Crafts brings us an easy tutorial with a template to make a potato-stamped panda – can’t leave them out when celebrating a major Chinese festival!
13. Box-Shaped Lantern
These exquisite square or box-shaped paper lanterns from China Family Adventure can be placed on a table-top with a tea light or hung for decoration. All we need is some paper, and if you are hanging them, some string or curling ribbon and a lot of folding, creasing, and scoring!
14. Paper Plate Goldfish
Goldfish are considered a sign of good fortune in China, especially in the new year. They signify abundance and are usually depicted in pairs. Activity Village gives us a simple goldfish craft that is bound to be a hit with kids.
15. Handprint Goldfish Bowl Craft
According to Feng Shui, a fish represents wealth and prosperity because the actual word in Chinese for fish, in Pinyin: yú, 魚, also translates to “abundance” 裕 Pinyin: yù. Quick, easy and fun for little kids, this handprint goldfish from Glued to My Crafts looks great on display!
16. Recycled Paper Oranges
One of the lucky New Year poems is about the orange and it goes like this: “Da Ji Da Li” which means the same as every other New Year poem, “Good Luck!” For fun and fast craft, make your own lucky oranges from crumpled paper and other easily available materials using the instructions from Julie K in Taiwan.
17. Chinese New Year Mason Jar Lanterns
How gorgeous are these mason jar lanterns from Modge Podge Rocks? All you need are plain jars, paint, and Mod Podge – perfect for a themed party!
18. Chinese Dragon Mask
A list of Chinese New Year crafts would be incomplete without a Chinese dragon craft, wouldn’t it? That’s why we love this one from First Palette – easy to put together and so gorgeous!
19. Chinese New Year Drum
ET Speaks brings us a pretty Chinese New Year drum craft that’s not just easy but also quite meaningful. The Chinese text on the drums features Chinese New Year-themed words like 福 (Happiness), 吉 (Lucky) and 春 (Spring).
20. Paper Bag Chinese Lion Masks
A Chinese New Year celebration is sure to have a lion dance, a traditional dance that represents Chinese culture. The dance is symbolic and talks about courage, loyalty, respect and kindness. Watching the dance is also believed to bring good fortune! Pink Stripey Socks shows us how to turn plain paper bags into some amazing Chinese lion masks.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon – Year of the Dragon Crafts
These Year of the Dragon Crafts are perfect to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and bring in lots of luck and prosperity into your life!
15 Dramatic Dragon Crafts for Kids
2023 was the Year of the Rabbit – Year of the Rabbit Crafts
1. 10 Year of the Rabbit Crafts for Kids
2. Rabbit Headband Printable
3. R for Rabbit Craft with Printable Template
4. 20 Adorable Rabbit Crafts for Kids
2022 was the Year of the Tiger – Year of the Tiger Crafts
1. T for Tiger Craft with Printable Template
2. Tiger Headband Printable
3. 10 Terrific Tiger Crafts for Kids
2021 was the Year of the Ox – Year of the Ox Crafts
1. Free Year of the Ox Printable Headband
2. DIY Year of the Ox Felt Craft
2020 was the Year of the Rat – Year of the Rat Crafts
10 Chinese New Year Rat Crafts for Kids
2019 was the Year of the Pig – Year of the Pig Crafts
1. 20 Pink and Playful Pig Crafts for Kids | Year of the Pig Crafts
3. Printable Pig Headband
Year of The Dog Crafts
Year of The Dog Printable Headband
Year of the Monkey Crafts
1. Year of the Monkey Chinese New Year Crafts
2. M for Monkey Craft with Printable Template
3. Printable Monkey Bookmark + Free Template
4. M for Monkey Printable Headband
Year of the Horse Crafts
Horse Headband Printable
Year of the Snake Crafts
10 Sassy Snake Crafts for Kids
Chinese New Year Printables for Kids
- Year of the Monkey Book Mark: Do you have the characteristics of someone born in the Year of the Monkey? Print out these cute bookmarks and find out!
- Chinese Characters Numbers: Use this Chinese Characters Number Poster to brighten up the walls of your home at Chinese New Year or for Print and cut these out for counting or matching activities.
- Chinese Dragon Mask :- Free printable Chinese dragon mask to color and make into a wearable paper mask.
- Chinese Sensory writing : Learn to count to ten in Chinese with a sensory writing tray.
- Mr. Panda Craft Template: Though the adorable Panda is not a part of traditional symbols used during the Chinese New Year, this cute animal largely native to the Sichuan Region denotes China cultural-ism to a great extent
- Year of the Monkey : Chinese Zodiac Mask : Celebrate Chinese culture with your kids by making this colorful Chinese Zodiac mask.
- Dot to Dot Red Packet: Join the dots to reveal something exciting for Chinese New Year…
- Chinese New Year Bunting : Brighten up any Chinese New Year themed decor with this colorful bunting
- Chinese New Year Word Search Puzzle: Along with Dumplings, fireworks and Chinese New Year themed crafts, keep your kids busy with this New Year Word Search Puzzle
- Dot to Dot Printables: What are these oranges sitting in? Join the dots to find out!
- Tracing Good Luck (fu) :pre-writing tracing of the Chinese characters for fu, meaning good luck. Also great for Fine motor skills
Chinese New Year-Themed Coloring Pages
- No Chinese New Year Decoration is complete without the quintessential Chinese Lantern
- Get the family together just before the Chinese New year to clean the house and drive out bad luck,
- Dragon dances are performed by a group of dancers who manipulate a long flexible figure of a dragon using poles positioned at regular intervals along the length of the dragon
- The Kitchen God watches over the Chinese household and gives his report to the Jade Emperor. Fruits are offered and Incense sticks burnt for his blessing
- Learn to wish Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year in Chinese) with this adorable illustration. Also, check out The Chinese character for “Pig.” & The Chinese phrases say “Happy New Year!” with this Year of the pig Coloring page https://holidappy.com/holidays/Printable-Coloring-Pages-for-Year-of-the-Pig-Kid-Crafts-for-Chinese-New-Year
- A rice bowl and chopsticks are a familiar part of any Chinese feast!
- Learn a little bit about China and its flag and what it represents with this coloring printable flag for kids.
- Practice Saying ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ with this cute boy dressed up in a traditional Chinese New Year Costume.
- The Traditional Chinese New Year feast/ Reunion Dinner is a great way to get families together. Each of the foods served has a symbolic meaning.
- Color the Chinese New Year decorations via Crayola.
10 Chinese New Year Books for Kids
1. My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz
Chinese New Year is a time of new beginnings. Follow one little girl as she learns how to welcome the coming year and experience all the festivities surrounding it. This warm and lively introduction to a special holiday will make even the youngest child want to start a Chinese New Year tradition!
2. Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-lan!
Join the beloved television character, Kai-lan, for a Chinese New Year celebration! Kai-lan and her friends get to carry the dragon costume in the big parade – but can they work together to make the dragon dance?
3. Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim
In this delightful picture storybook, the author takes the familiar “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” story and adds a Chinese twist–New Year style. A little girl who goes by the name of Goldy Luck is asked by her mother to take a New Year’s dish—fried turnip cakes—to their neighbor panda’s house.
4. Chelsea’s Chinese New Year by Lisa Bullard
Chelsea”s family is celebrating Chinese New Year! Chelsea gets to stay up late. She watches fireworks and a parade with a dragon! She and her family have a big feast. Find out the different ways people celebrate this special day!
5. The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine
When a boy goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok instead, his parents wonder what they’ll eat for dinner. But then the wok rolls out of the poor family’s house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! and returns from the rich man”s home with a feast in tow!
6. A New Year’s Reunion: A Chinese Story by Yu Li-qiong
This book features a children’s version of a common story in China – when fathers come home for the Chinese New Year vacation. Little Maomao’s father works in faraway places and comes home just once a year, for Chinese New Year. At first, Maomao barely recognizes him, but before long the family is happily making sticky rice balls, listening to firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the streets below. The book also has beautiful illustrations.
7. Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
A classic story that is also a popular one with book lovers. The book tells the story of a Chinese boy with a long name who fell into a well. It is a sort of origin myth about why Chinese names are so short today. Tikki Tikki Tembo is the winner of the 1968 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Books.
8. Emma’s American Chinese New Year
A Beautiful and thoughtful story of an adopted child from China and her new family in the US getting together to learn about and celebrate the Chinese New Year. She and her family observe the special holiday by participating in traditional customs and activities that honor Emma’s Chinese heritage – all with an American twist.
9. Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats
A stunning compilation of delectable recipes, hands-on family activities, and traditional tales to read aloud, this extraordinary book will inspire families everywhere to re-create the magic of Chinese holidays in their own homes.
10. This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong
This award-winning book captures a child’s determination to face the new year with courage and optimism. A young boy looks forward to the Lunar New Year, often called the Chinese New Year, a time of hope—and you don’t have to be Chinese to celebrate it!
15 Chinese New Year Activities for Kids
- Keep the Chinese tradition of cleaning the house before the New Year comes in … sounds like a good excuse to get the whole family doing a bit of housework 😉
- Read a Book. There are many great books about Chinese New Year and Chinese folk tales to be found. – See more at the bottom of this post
- Sing along to easy Chinese Rhymes with the help of Pinyin Text (Chinese written in English). Liang Zhi Laohu (two little tigers) etc are popular rhymes
- Cook a Chinese Meal or Order Chinese take-out food
- Master the art of using chopsticks during your meal
- Watch a Chinese New Year parade on television or online.
- Catch a classic Chinese Movie
- Ward off evil spirits by marching around the house clanging pan lids as cymbals
- Have a look at some Chinese art and make scroll paintings
- Draw an enormous map of China on an old roll of lining paper and build a Chinese wall all the way along the map
- Bring Chinese popular culture into your home with their national sport of ping pong, the popular game of Jianzi, and tangram puzzles.
- The traditional color for the Chinese celebration is red so why not have a red day – wearing red clothes, eating red food, having a treasure hunt to find all your red toys, and making a collage picture using lots of shades of red?
- Sip on Chinese tea
- Invite friends over and play an online game of the popular Mahjong
- Encourage your child to connect with a Penpal from China
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[…] support. Using a few dabs of glue we attached two pompoms for the eyes. I’ve also seen others add extra pompoms for the nostrils too, which looks cute. Possum and I decided to just use the […]
I’m looking forward to these pages, I’m living in Ecuador, adult coloring books are not available here yet.
It his is so great. Lots of ideas and themes that are closely related to Chinese New Year.