Kung Hei Fat Choy! Looking for some fun Chinese New Year ideas to try with the kids? Here are 5 fun and easy Chinese New Year activities for kids that the whole family can enjoy together.
Chinese New Year is a wonderful excuse to try some new food, get crafty, and learn a little more about the culture and traditions of one of the largest countries in the world. If you’re looking for simple ways to get your child interested in Chinese New Year, these 5 ideas are a great place to start.
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Fun Chinese New Year Activities For Kids
#1. Make a Chinese Dragon
Image: Krokotak
Krokotak has a template for making a Chinese Dragon with coloured paper, a printable for the head and tail, and a paper concertina and sticks to bring it all together.
The photos on the site are fairly self-explanatory, and if you toggle the language to English, you’ll find plenty of other great craft projects to try with the kids too.
#2. Create a Tangram Puzzle
Image: Enchanted Learning
Tangram puzzles are a form of ancient Chinese puzzle, and the activity is known as “seven pieces of cleverness”. The idea is to rearrange the pieces of a square to form different figures and objects.
All you need to make your own tangram puzzle is some paper, pencils, a ruler and scissors.
Once you’ve cut out your 7 pieces, you’ll be able to make an amazing number of different shapes, animals, people and everyday objects.
#3. Make Chinese Lanterns
Image: First Palette
We love this easy-to-make project from First Palette for kids: making Chinese paper lanterns in lots of different colours.
You’ll need construction paper, scissors, tape, a stapler, a ruler and a pencil, then plenty of glue, glitter and sequins to decorate your lantern.
#4. Research the Chinese Calendar
The Chinese calendar follows a 12-year pattern, with every year named after an animal. Depending on the year you’re born, you’re thought to share the character traits of that year’s animal.
Why not find out which animal represents your birth year, and what it signifies? National Geographic for Kids has a great page explaining the years, along with facts about the different animals.
#5. Cook Chinese Food Together
Image: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Chinese New Year is a great excuse to try some Chinese food at home. Kids generally love rice and noodle dishes.
Or why not give homemade fortune cookies a go, using this recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe? Writing out the fortunes together is half the fun.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these Chinese New Year activities suitable for?
These activities work well for a wide range of ages. Younger children will enjoy the craft projects like the paper dragon and lanterns with a little help, while older kids can take on the tangram puzzle and calendar research more independently.
Do I need any special materials?
No, all of these activities use everyday craft supplies you likely already have at home, such as paper, scissors, glue and colouring materials.
Is this a good classroom or group activity?
Yes, these activities work well for both home and group settings, such as playdates, after-school clubs or classroom celebrations of Chinese New Year.
How can I make the fortune cookies without special equipment?
The recipe linked above uses basic baking equipment. If you’d like guidance tailored to your kitchen setup, it’s worth checking the full recipe for tips before you start.
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