Fun and Easy Chinese Lunar New Year Crafts for Kids

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These Chinese New Year crafts are a perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Designed for Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade, these low-prep Chinese New Year crafts will help your class explore the holiday’s customs while having a blast making festive projects.

What Is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. To explain it simply to a kindergarten student, you might say, “It’s a special time when families clean their homes, decorate with bright colors, and share big meals to bring good luck for the whole year.” Many people wear red clothes, give red money envelopes (called hóngbāo), and enjoy dazzling dragon and lion dances in the streets.

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How Is It Celebrated?

During Chinese New Year, families reunite to share delicious feasts and exchange presents. Children often receive red envelopes filled with lucky money, and everyone looks forward to fireworks and colorful parades featuring dragons and lions. In fact, these celebrations can last up to 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. With these Lunar New Year crafts, you can bring the holiday spirit straight into your classroom!

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<< Grab this Lunar New Year lantern and windsock craft here>>

Fun Lunar New Year Crafts for Kids

In this digital download, you’ll find several enjoyable Lunar New Year crafts that incorporate both English and Mandarin text. Each activity includes step-by-step instructions, so you can spend more time crafting and less time prepping. Let’s take a closer look:

  1. Printable Money Envelope
    • Have students color, fold, and glue their very own lucky money envelope. This simple project introduces the idea of giving blessings and good fortune in a friendly, hands-on way.
  2. Decorative Fan
    • Fans are often used in celebrations for style and comfort. Let children personalize their fan with drawings, stickers, or special messages in English or Mandarin.
  3. Dragon Mask
    • Encourage imaginative play with a vibrant dragon mask. After coloring and cutting, kids can use their creation for a classroom parade or storytelling activity.
  4. Dragon Puppet
    • Bring the excitement of the holiday to life with a colorful dragon puppet. This craft is great for fine motor skills and can lead to engaging puppet shows!
  5. Paper Lantern
    • Introduce students to the Lantern Festival by crafting their own paper lantern. It’s quick to assemble and perfect for creating a festive atmosphere in your classroom.
  6. Crown
    • Let children get into celebration mode with a special Chinese New Year crown. This fun accessory makes for memorable photo ops or a class parade.
  7. Windsock
    • Add some movement to your classroom with a decorative windsock. Students can watch their artwork dance in the air, symbolizing good luck flowing in.

Pin<< Find this Chinese New Year dragon puppet craft here>>

Benefits of These Crafts

Not only do these activities help children understand Chinese New Year, but they also encourage creativity, improve fine motor skills, and inspire cultural awareness. Moreover, because these projects include English and Mandarin text, they offer an excellent opportunity for language development.

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<< Get these fun Lunar New Year crafts here>>

Ready to incorporate these exciting Chinese New Year crafts into your lesson plans? This resource is available as a digital download in my TPT store. Simply print the templates, gather a few basic craft supplies, and let your students explore the traditions of the Lunar New Year in a hands-on, memorable way.

Bring joy, color, and cultural insight to your classroom with these low-prep crafts. Your students will love sharing their creations with family and friends, making this special holiday even more meaningful!

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Chinese Zodiac Animal Crafts

You may also want to check out these craft activities, which include activities for every lunar year such as the Year of the Snake, Year of the Horse, Year of the Goat and More!

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<<Learn more about these Chinese Zodiac Animal Crafts here>>

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