Kids love celebrations. Add bright colors, fun crafts, and mythical creatures to the mix, and you have their full attention. Lunar New Year offers all of this and more.
It brings families together through stories, symbols, and hands-on activities that children remember for years.
Planning lunar new year activities doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You need the right ideas that match your child’s age and interests.
From paper lanterns to dragon dances, each activity teaches something valuable while keeping kids entertained.
In this guide, you’ll learn fun activities that work at home or in classrooms. We’ll also cover how to pick age-appropriate projects and host a celebration kids will love.
What Is the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a major holiday celebrated in many Asian countries,including China, Vietnam, and Korea.
It marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar, which follows the moon’s cycles instead of the sun. The date changes each year but usually falls between late January and mid-February.
Each year is represented by one of twelve zodiac animals. Families celebrate by cleaning their homes, sharing meals, giving red envelopes, and spending time together.
Benefits of Lunar New Year Activities:
- Encourages creativity and imagination: Kids can make crafts, draw symbols, and create their own versions of traditional items.
- Introduces cultural awareness at an early age: Learning about different celebrations helps children respect and appreciate diversity.
- Supports fine motor skills and cooperative play: Activities like cutting, folding, and group games help develop physical coordination and teamwork.
- Creates memorable family or classroom moments: Shared experiences during celebrations build stronger bonds and lasting memories.
Best Lunar New Year Activities for Children
Looking for ways to make this celebration special for your kids? These activities mix tradition with creativity, keeping children engaged while they learn about culture and customs.
1. Paper Lantern Craft
Paper lanterns bring color and light to any celebration. This simple folding activity works well in classrooms or at home. Kids can hang their finished lanterns as decorations or give them as gifts.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Fold a sheet of red or gold paper in half lengthwise. Cut slits from the folded edge, stopping about an inch from the open edge.
- Step 2: Unfold the paper and roll it into a cylinder shape. Staple or glue the edges together to hold the form.
- Step 3: Add a paper handle at the top and let kids decorate with markers, stickers, or glitter for a personal touch.
2. Zodiac Animal Mask Making
Each year brings a new zodiac animal to celebrate. Making masks helps kids learn about the animal and its special traits. This activity also sparks role-play and storytelling games.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Print or draw the current year’s zodiac animal on cardstock. Cut out the basic shape, including eye holes.
- Step 2: Let kids color and add details like fur, whiskers, or spots using crayons, markers, or craft materials.
- Step 3: Attach a popsicle stick handle or elastic string so kids can wear or hold their masks during play.
3. Red Envelope Math Game
Red envelopes traditionally hold money or small gifts during the Lunar New Year. Turn this custom into a fun math activity. Kids can practice counting, addition, or subtraction while learning about traditions.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Create paper red envelopes using red construction paper folded into small pouches. You can also use store-bought envelopes.
- Step 2: Write numbers or simple math problems on cards and place them inside each envelope.
- Step 3: Have kids open envelopes, solve the problems, and collect pretend coins or stickers as rewards for correct answers.
4. Lunar New Year Coloring Pages
Coloring pages offer a quiet, screen-free way for younger children to learn holiday symbols. Dragons, lanterns, and fireworks are popular choices. This activity helps kids focus while exploring cultural images.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Print free coloring sheets online or draw simple outlines of Lunar New Year symbols on blank paper.
- Step 2: Provide crayons, colored pencils, or markers in red, gold, and other bright colors.
- Step 3: Display finished artwork on walls or in folders so kids can see their work and share it with others.
5. Dragon Dance Movement Game
Dragon dances are a highlight of many Lunar New Year parades. Making a simple dragon prop turns this tradition into active play. Kids work together and move their bodies while having fun.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Use a long piece of fabric, a bedsheet, or connect several pieces of colored paper to form the dragon’s body.
- Step 2: Attach a dragon head made from cardboard to the front. Add eyes, teeth, and decorations with paint or markers.
- Step 3: Have kids hold the dragon at different points and move together in a line, creating wave-like motions to music.
6. Chinese Calligraphy Practice for Kids
Calligraphy introduces children to the art of writing Chinese characters. Focus on simple strokes instead of perfect results. This calm activity builds concentration and appreciation for written language.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Give each child a piece of paper and a thick marker or paintbrush. Show them one or two easy characters like “福” (good fortune).
- Step 2: Demonstrate basic strokes slowly. Let kids copy the strokes at their own pace without worrying about mistakes.
- Step 3: Frame or hang the finished characters as decorations. Talk about what each symbol means to add learning.
7. Lucky Symbols Scavenger Hunt
Hide items around the room and let kids search for them. Each object represents good luck or a special meaning. This game teaches through play and keeps children active.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Gather small items or print pictures of symbols like oranges, coins, fish, or red packets. Hide them in different spots.
- Step 2: Give kids a checklist or clues about what each symbol means and where to look.
- Step 3: Once all items are found, sit together and discuss what each one represents in the celebration.
8. Firecracker Craft (No Noise Version)
Firecrackers symbolize warding off bad luck, but real ones are loud and unsafe for kids. This paper version captures the spirit without the noise. Children can make strings of colorful firecrackers to hang at home.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Cut toilet paper rolls or construction paper into small tube shapes. Paint or cover them with red and gold paper.
- Step 2: Add decorative details like gold trim, Chinese characters, or glitter to make them festive.
- Step 3: String the tubes together using yarn or ribbon and hang them as a decoration.
9. Storytime With Lunar New Year Legends
Reading folk stories brings the holiday to life through words and imagination. Choose age-appropriate tales about the zodiac animals or the New Year monster. Follow up with a creative activity to reinforce the lesson.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Select a short story or legend that matches your group’s age level. Read it aloud with expression and pauses for questions.
- Step 2: Ask kids to share their favorite part or what they learned from the story.
- Step 3: Have children draw a scene from the tale or act it out using simple costumes or props.
10. Zodiac Animal Matching Game
This game helps kids connect each zodiac animal with its traits or birth year. It works as a printable card set or a group activity. Children learn while practicing memory and matching skills.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Create pairs of cards. One card shows the animal, the other shows its year or personality trait.
- Step 2: Lay all cards face down on a table. Players take turns flipping two cards to find matches.
- Step 3: The player with the most matches wins. Discuss each animal and its meaning as cards are revealed.
11. Family Gratitude Tree Activity
A gratitude tree lets children express thanks or write wishes for the new year. This activity ties tradition with feelings and emotional growth. Families or classrooms can build the tree together.
How to Make:
- Step 1: Draw or create a tree branch display using brown paper or real branches in a vase.
- Step 2: Cut out paper tags in shapes like leaves, flowers, or envelopes. Kids write thank-you notes or wishes on them.
- Step 3: Hang the tags on the tree branches. Read them aloud as a group to share positive thoughts and hopes.
Tips for Hosting a Kid-Friendly Lunar New Year
Planning the perfect celebration takes more than just picking activities. Keep these simple tips in mind to make sure everything runs smoothly, and kids stay happy from start to finish.
- Keep instructions simple: Break down each activity into easy steps so kids can follow along without confusion or frustration.
- Balance active and quiet activities: Mix movement games with calm crafts to keep energy levels steady and prevent kids from getting too tired or restless.
- Use bright colors and safe materials: Choose red, gold, and yellow supplies that are non-toxic and age-appropriate to match the festive theme safely.
How to Choose the Right Lunar New Year Activities?
Toddlers and preschoolers do best with simple crafts like coloring pages, basic lantern folding, or sensory play with red and gold materials.
Early elementary kids can handle more detailed projects, such as zodiac masks, calligraphy practice, or scavenger hunts that combine learning with fun.
Older children and groups enjoy activities that need teamwork and problem-solving, like dragon dances, matching games, or creating gratitude trees together.
Wrapping It Up
Lunar New Year activities bring learning and fun together in ways kids truly enjoy.
From crafting paper lanterns to acting out zodiac stories, these celebrations create memories that stick with children as they grow. You’re not just teaching them about a holiday.
You’re helping them appreciate culture, work with others, and express creativity.
Start with one or two activities that match your child’s age and interests. Keep things simple and focus on the experience rather than perfection. The goal is to enjoy the process together.
Ready to celebrate? Pick your favorite activity from this list and get started today. Share your creations with family or in the comments below.
Happy Lunar New Year!
