Lunar New Year is a time of joy, celebration, and tradition, making it the perfect opportunity to engage children in fun and meaningful activities. From crafting colourful lanterns to creating playful dragon puppets, these simple projects are a wonderful way to introduce kids to the rich culture and symbolism of the Lunar New Year. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these crafts and activities are designed to be easy, budget-friendly, and most importantly, a source of creativity and excitement for little ones.
Starlight Lucky Lanterns
What You’ll Need:
Red and yellow card
Yellow ready mixed paint
Star-shaped cookie cutters
Scissors
Ruler
Stapler
Tape
Instructions:
- Fold a sheet of red construction paper in half lengthwise (hotdog style).
- Dip star-shaped cookie cutters into yellow paint and stamp them across the unfolded side of the paper. Let the paint dry completely.
- With the paper still folded, use a ruler to mark evenly spaced slits (about 1 inch apart) starting from the folded edge. Stop cutting about 1 inch before reaching the opposite edge.
- Unfold the paper and roll it into a cylindrical shape, bringing the two short edges together. Staple or tape the edges to secure the cylinder.
- Cut a thin strip of yellow paper and tape or staple it to the top of the lantern as a handle.
- Hang your paper lanterns around the house or use them as festive table decorations for Chinese New Year celebrations!
Beautiful Blossom Printing
What You’ll Need:
Coloured card
Pink and white ready mixed paint
Brown felt tip pen
Clean and empty plastic bottle
Instructions:
- On coloured card trace out the outline of a tree branch using the brown felt tip pen. Depending on the age of the child, you might want to prepare this for them in advance.
- Dip the bottom of the empty plastic bottle into pink and white paint and slowly print it across the page, making sure to follow the outline of the branch.
- Once this is dry you can display your final blossom masterpieces in your home or classroom!
Dancing Dragons
What You’ll Need:
Concertina Dragons Pack
Felt tip pens
PVA glue
Instructions:
- Using the felt tips, colour in one head and one tail template from the Concertina Dragons Pack.
- Take one of the pre-cut coloured paper sheets and accordion-fold it (fold it back and forth in small, even sections). This will form the dragon’s flexible body.
- Then use PVA glue to attach the dragon head to one end of the accordion-folded body and the tail to the other end.
- Also use the glue to attach a wooden craft stick to the back of the dragon head and another to the dragon tail. These will act as handles for holding and moving the puppet.
- Hold the sticks and make the dragon dance and wiggle as though it’s coming to life!
- Brilliant Bookmarks
What You’ll Need:
- Print out of Chinese Numeral Characters
- White card
- Watercolour paint
- Paintbrush
- White crayon
Instructions:
- Cut your card into thin narrow strips.
- Using the white crayon, begin to copy the desired numbers from the Chinese Numeral Characters print out onto the card. You could choose to write out the year, your age or even your lucky number!
- Now use the paint brush, water colour paint and plenty of water, to create a light wash over the entire bookmark.
- Watch as the numbers magically begin to appear!
If you try out these designs or come up with any of your own ideas, then make sure to tag us!
