Chinese New Year Kids Activities: 15 Fun & Educational Ideas for Home and School

Chinese New Year Kids Activities are trending every year as families, schools and childcare settings look for meaningful ways to celebrate this vibrant cultural festival. Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is a time of family gatherings, decorations, storytelling, food and tradition.

If you are searching for engaging, educational and creative Chinese New Year kids activities, this guide shares practical ideas that work at home, in classrooms, nurseries, holiday clubs and community groups. These activities not only entertain children but also help them understand and appreciate Chinese culture in a respectful and age-appropriate way.

What Is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is one of the most important traditional festivals in China and is celebrated in many countries around the world. The celebration begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and lasts for around 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.

Each year is linked to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, including the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Decorations often feature the zodiac animal of the year, along with red and gold colours, which symbolise good luck and prosperity.

For children, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore new traditions, stories, art styles and food from another culture.

15 Chinese New Year Kids Activities

Below are creative and practical Chinese New Year kids activities that combine fun with learning.

1. Make Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are one of the most recognisable symbols of Chinese New Year.

To create simple lanterns:

• Fold a piece of red paper in half lengthways.
• Cut evenly spaced slits along the folded edge (without cutting all the way through).
• Unfold and roll into a cylinder.
• Secure with glue or tape and attach a handle.

Children can decorate their lanterns with gold stickers, glitter, Chinese characters or drawings of the zodiac animal. Hang them around the room to create a festive atmosphere.

2. Create Chinese Zodiac Animal Masks

Chinese zodiac animal crafts are extremely popular when people search for Chinese New Year kids activities.

Provide paper plates or card templates and let children design masks of the zodiac animals. Add elastic or string so they can wear them. This activity works well alongside storytelling about how the animals were chosen in the famous Zodiac Race legend.

This encourages creativity, imaginative play and cultural storytelling.

3. Tell the Story of the Zodiac Race

Storytelling is a powerful way to introduce children to traditions.

Share the legend of how the Jade Emperor invited animals to race across a river to determine the order of the zodiac. After hearing the story, children can:

• Act it out.
• Draw their favourite animal.
• Sequence the animals in order.

This activity links literacy, listening skills and cultural awareness.

4. Practise Simple Chinese Calligraphy

Introduce children to basic Chinese characters such as:

• 福 (good fortune)
• 春 (spring)

Provide paintbrushes and black paint on red paper for an authentic feel. For younger children, large brushes or finger painting works well.

This Chinese New Year kids activity supports fine motor skills while introducing language and symbolism.

5. Make Red Envelopes (Hongbao)

Red envelopes are traditionally given to children during Chinese New Year, often containing money as a symbol of good luck.

Children can create their own envelopes using red paper and decorate them with gold patterns, stickers or drawn designs. Instead of money, they could include:

• Kind messages
• New Year wishes
• Small positive affirmations

This is a lovely way to discuss generosity and good fortune.

6. Host a Mini Dragon Dance

Dragon dances are often seen in public parades and celebrations.

Children can create a long dragon using:

• Painted cardboard sections
• A decorated paper chain
• Fabric attached to poles

Each child holds part of the dragon and moves together to music. This promotes teamwork, coordination and physical activity.

7. Chinese Restaurant Role Play

Set up a role play area as a Chinese restaurant.

Include:

• Toy food or pictures of dishes
• Chopsticks
• Menus
• Order pads

Children can take turns being chefs, customers and waiters. This imaginative play builds communication skills and introduces food culture.

8. Chopsticks Fine Motor Challenge

Using pom-poms, beads or cotton balls, challenge children to move items from one bowl to another using chopsticks.

This simple Chinese New Year kids activity supports hand strength and coordination while introducing traditional eating utensils.

9. Chinese New Year Sensory Tray

Create a themed sensory experience with:

• Red rice
• Gold coins
• Mini lanterns
• Animal figurines

Younger children especially benefit from sensory exploration while discussing colours and symbols.

10. Cook Simple Chinese-Inspired Foods

Food is central to Chinese New Year celebrations.

Involve children in age-appropriate cooking tasks such as:

• Folding dumpling wrappers
• Mixing pancake batter
• Rolling spring rolls

Discuss the symbolic meanings behind certain foods, such as noodles representing long life.

11. Lantern Festival Craft

The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.

Children can design decorative lantern artwork using tissue paper and collage techniques. You could also hold a classroom lantern walk to celebrate the end of your themed week.

12. Chinese New Year Counting and Maths Activities

Integrate the celebration into learning by:

• Counting gold coins.

• Sorting zodiac animals.

• Creating pattern sequences using red and gold beads.

This is ideal for early years and primary school settings looking to link cultural celebrations to the curriculum.

13. Learn About Traditions Around the World

Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries including Singapore, Malaysia and other parts of Asia.

Discuss how celebrations may look different around the world. This broadens children’s global awareness and encourages respect for diversity.

14. Create a New Year Wishes Tree

Children can write or draw their hopes for the year ahead on red paper leaves and hang them on a display tree.

This activity encourages reflection and goal setting in a simple, age-appropriate way.

15. Host a Chinese New Year Celebration Day

Bring all your Chinese New Year kids activities together into one celebration day. Include:

• A mini parade
• Displayed crafts
• Music
• Dress-up opportunities
• Tasting sessions

Invite families to view the children’s work and share in the learning experience.

Why Chinese New Year Kids Activities Matter

Celebrating cultural festivals through hands-on activities helps children:

• Develop cultural understanding.
• Build empathy and respect.
• Expand their knowledge of the world.
• Strengthen creativity and fine motor skills.
• Engage in meaningful conversations about tradition and family.

When planned thoughtfully, Chinese New Year kids activities go beyond crafts. They become opportunities for storytelling, discussion, creativity and shared experiences.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning Chinese New Year kids activities, focus on combining creativity, learning and celebration. From lantern crafts and dragon dances to storytelling and cooking, there are countless ways to make this festival engaging for children of all ages.

As interest continues to grow online, incorporating Chinese New Year kids activities into your home, school or childcare setting is a brilliant way to connect children with global traditions while creating joyful and memorable experiences.