Kids love making things with their hands, but finding crafts that teach something meaningful? That’s harder. Lunar New Year celebrations offer bright colors, fun symbols, and stories worth sharing.

This guide shows you simple crafts that work for toddlers, school kids, and even teens. No fancy supplies needed. Just paper, paint, and a little creativity.

Each project connects to authentic traditions like dragons, red envelopes, and wishing trees.

You’ll learn why these symbols matter, how to make each craft in easy steps, and tips for keeping kids engaged.

Plus, we’ve included ideas for classrooms and group activities. Let’s get started.

Why Lunar New Year Crafts Are Perfect for Kids?

Lunar New Year crafts help kids learn through doing. They practice cutting, folding, and gluing, which builds fine motor skills.

At the same time, children explore meaningful symbols like dragons, lanterns, and red envelopes. These activities work well at home or in classrooms. You can adjust them based on age and skill level.

Crafts make cultural traditions feel fun and hands-on instead of abstract. Kids remember what they make with their own hands.

Lunar New Year Crafts for Kids

Now that you know why these crafts work so well, let’s look at specific projects. Here are 13 ideas that bring Lunar New Year traditions to life through hands-on activities.

Supplies You’ll Need

1. Paper Plate Dragon Craft

Dragons represent power, good luck, and strength in Chinese culture. This craft lets kids create a colorful dragon that moves and wiggles. It’s perfect for younger children who love interactive toys.

How to Make It:

• Paint a paper plate red, gold, or green and let it dry
• Cut a long strip of red paper for the body and fold it accordion style
• Glue the paper plate as the dragon’s head to one end of the body
• Add googly eyes, paper scales, and streamers for a tail

2. Red Envelope Lucky Pouch

Red envelopes, or hongbao, hold money given during the Lunar New Year for good fortune. Kids can make their own version to hold treats or small notes. This craft teaches folding and following the steps in order.

How to Make It:

• Fold a red piece of cardstock or construction paper in half
• Glue or tape the sides together, leaving the top open
• Decorate with gold stickers, Chinese characters, or drawings
• Fill with coins, candy, or written wishes

3. Handprint Firework Art

Fireworks light up the sky during Lunar New Year celebrations to scare away evil spirits. This messy, colorful activity lets kids use their hands as stamps. It’s great for toddlers and preschoolers.

How to Make It:

• Pour red, gold, yellow, and orange paint onto paper plates
• Have kids dip their hands in the paint
• Press handprints onto black or dark blue paper in a burst pattern
• Add glitter or white dots for extra sparkle

4. Lantern Craft Using Colored Paper

Lanterns symbolize letting go of the past and welcoming new beginnings. Paper lanterns are a classic Lunar New Year decoration. This craft builds scissor skills and patience.

How to Make It:

• Fold a piece of red or gold paper in half lengthwise
• Cut slits along the folded edge, stopping before the open edge
• Unfold the paper and roll it into a cylinder shape
• Glue the edges together and add a paper handle on top

5. Zodiac Animal Mask

Each Lunar New Year is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals. Kids can learn which animal matches their birth year and make a mask. This craft encourages personal connection to the tradition.

How to Make It:

• Choose a zodiac animal like the rabbit, dragon, tiger, or pig
• Draw the animal face on a paper plate or cardboard
• Cut out eye holes and color the face with markers or paint
• Attach a popsicle stick or elastic string to wear it

6. Cherry Blossom Branch Art

Cherry blossoms represent renewal and the beauty of life. This craft is calming and lets kids experiment with textures. It works well for mixed age groups.

How to Make It:

• Paint or glue a brown branch shape on white or light paper
• Use pink and white tissue paper, crumpled into small balls
• Glue the tissue paper balls along the branches as blossoms
• Add dots of pink paint with fingertips or cotton swabs for detail

7. Fortune Scroll Craft

Scrolls often carry wise sayings or wishes for the new year. Kids can write their own hopes or goals. This craft combines writing practice with cultural learning.

How to Make It:

• Cut a long strip of beige or cream colored paper
• Write a wish, goal, or positive saying in the center
• Decorate the edges with gold markers or stickers
• Roll the scroll and tie it with red ribbon or yarn

8. Chinese Coin Rubbing Art

Old Chinese coins have square holes in the middle and are symbols of wealth. Rubbing art is a simple way to see patterns and textures. Kids love seeing the image appear as they color.

How to Make It:

• Place a coin or coin template under a thin sheet of paper
• Use the side of a crayon to rub over the paper
• The coin shape will appear as you color
• Make several rubbings and cut them out to create a garland

9. Fan Decoration Craft

Fans are used in traditional dances and as decorative art during celebrations. Making a fan teaches kids about symmetry and folding. It also doubles as a toy they can actually use.

How to Make It:

• Fold a piece of colored paper back and forth accordion style
• Decorate one side with Chinese characters, flowers, or patterns
• Pinch the bottom together and secure with tape or a paper clip
• Fan out the top to create a half-circle shape

10. Paper Snake for Zodiac Year

The snake is one of the 12 zodiac animals and represents wisdom. This wiggly craft has movable parts that kids enjoy playing with. It’s great for fine motor practice.

How to Make It:

• Cut a spiral shape from a paper plate, starting from the outside edge
• Color or paint the spiral with scales and patterns
• Add a snake head at the outer end with a tongue and eyes
• Attach a string at the head to dangle and watch it twist

11. Lion Dance Headband

Lion dances are performed to bring luck and chase away evil spirits. Kids can make a simple headband and pretend to perform their own dance. This craft gets them moving and laughing.

How to Make It:

• Cut a strip of colored paper or cardstock to fit around the head
• Cut fringe or fur shapes from colorful tissue paper
• Glue the fringe along the top of the headband strip
• Add googly eyes and a nose, then staple or tape the ends to fit

12. Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Chinese calligraphy is an art form that requires focus and control. Kids can trace basic symbols like “luck” or “happiness.” This activity builds respect for the written language and improves handwriting.

How to Make It:

• Print or draw simple Chinese characters on paper
• Provide tracing sheets or transparent overlays for kids to practice
• Use black markers or paintbrushes for an authentic feel
• Display finished work or use it to decorate red envelopes

13. New Year Wishing Tree

Wishing trees hold hopes for the coming year. Families write wishes on paper and hang them on branches. Kids can make their own version and add to it throughout the year.

How to Make It:

• Draw or create a tree trunk and branches on a poster board
• Cut small paper tags or leaves from colored paper
• Have kids write wishes, goals, or kind words on each tag
• Punch a hole and hang them on the tree with a string or tape

Tips for Making Lunar New Year Crafts Kid-Friendly

You have the craft ideas and the supplies list ready. Now let’s talk about how to make these activities run smoothly and keep kids excited from start to finish.

• Age-appropriate adjustments: Match the craft difficulty to the child’s age and use pre-cut shapes or templates for younger kids, while older children can handle more complex steps.
• Safety and supervision notes: Always supervise when using scissors, glue guns, or small parts, and choose non-toxic materials for toddlers who might put things in their mouths.
• How to keep activities short and engaging: Break crafts into 15 to 20-minute sessions with clear goals so kids stay focused and don’t lose interest halfway through.
• Prepare materials ahead of time: Set up all supplies before starting so kids can jump right in without waiting, and pre-cut complex shapes to avoid frustration.
• Celebrate mistakes and creativity: Let kids add their own idea,s and don’t worry if crafts look messy because personal touches make each project special and boost confidence.

The Bottom Line

Lunar New Year crafts give kids more than just art projects. They learn about culture, practice new skills, and create memories that stick. You don’t need expensive supplies or hours of prep time.

Simple materials and a few minutes can turn into meaningful moments. These crafts work at home, in classrooms, or at community events.

Try one or try them all. Let kids add their own creative spin. The best part? You’re teaching respect for traditions while having fun together.

Ready to start crafting? Pick your favorite project from the list and gather your supplies. Share your finished crafts with us in the comments below. We’d love to see what your kids create!