Chinese New Year Activities for Elementary Students
Looking for some fun and educational activities to do with your kids this Chinese New Year?
I’ve got you covered! Check out our list of Chinese New Year activities for elementary students. Each activity is designed to help your kids learn more about the holiday and have a blast while they’re at it.
I know how busy parents can be, so we made sure all the activities are easy to follow and don’t require a lot of prep time.
If you need more ideas for Chinese New Year, check my list of Chinese New Year Activities for Kids.
Chinese New Year is an age-old holiday celebrated around the world that marks the beginning of a Lunar new year. The exact date changes annually based on cycles of the Chinese moon calendar, and celebrations typically last two weeks after it begins.
This year, 2023, it is on January 22nd.
People living in mainland China typically take one or two weeks off from work to celebrate with their families and relatives. One of the many traditions associated with this celebration is giving red envelopes filled with money to younger generations as an expression of good luck.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without delicious food; people feast on traditional dishes such as dumplings, spring rolls, fish, and rice cakes.
Fireworks are also a common sight across Chinatowns worldwide! Ultimately, Chinese New Year is about ringing in prosperity and joy throughout Chinese culture – a joyous way to start any new year!
Since Chinese New Year is around the winter season, why don’t you go check out this list of fun winter activities for your kids? I’m sure the endless occasions will keep your kids’ spirits up and boredom will surely never occur!
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Recommended Chinese New Year Books
Chinese New Year is a very colorful and festive occasion and what better way to learn about this beautiful occasion than to read stories about it? Here are some of my favorite books for my kids to read during the Chinese New Year.
The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year TaleHui-lan’s Chinese New YearMy First Chinese New Year (My First Holiday)Chinese New Year Wishes: Chinese Spring and Lantern Festival CelebrationCelebrating Chinese New Year: History, Traditions, and ActivitiesRuby’s Chinese New Year
Recommended Chinese New Year Toys
The Chinese New Year is known for being the most cultural and fun occasion that is celebrated all over the world, and what better way to make a fun occasion more fun is through toys!
Grab one of these toys for your kids to celebrate the Chinese New Year with everyone else in the world right in your own home!
Chinese New Year Paper DragonLEGO Lunar New Year TraditionsChinese Drum For Sensory Learning
Recommended Chinese New Year Activity Kits
Junior Learners Print & Go Activity Kit: Chinese New Year
Want to teach your kids more about the Chinese new year? Grab these Chinese new year worksheets for a research based activity for your students to learn more about this popular holiday in China.
Get this craft kit for your kids to learn about this legendary animal while practicing their fine motor skills.
Which Zodiac is Chinese New Year 2023?
Chinese New Year 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit or Hai Ma in Mandarin. The Rabbit symbolizes luck and good fortune.
It is believed that those born under this sign will be blessed with wealth, success, and recognition during their lifetime due to the protection of the Four Celestial Emperors.
The year of the Water Rabbit is a kind-hearted time when families come together to celebrate friendships and strengthen connections.
This is also a great time for lighthearted entertainment, such as singing and dancing. All of this will make for an exciting celebration to kick off the new year!
Chinese New Year Activities for Elementary Students
If you're an educator or a homeschool parent that's looking for fun and educational activities for your kid this Chinese New Year, take a look at this list.
You will love these Printable Chinese New Year Bookmarks to make and share! Have the kids color their own bookmarks and let their creativity take over as they make colorful and creative designs that represent the spirit of this year’s special holiday.
Celebrate the Chinese new year and learn math at the same time. Use these Chinese new year addition puzzles to bring the celebration into your school day. Practice adding up to 11 and there are two addition puzzles for each number.
This cute pop-up card includes lanterns and other festive decorations for the Chinese New Year!
This craft is super easy and yet so mesmerizing as the dragon twirls around as it's cut in a spiral!
Dragons are a symbol of wisdom and power in China, and your kids can create that symbol with just easy steps and accessible materials found in your craft stores!
Let your kids craft a Bolang Gu or pellet drum this Chinese New Year and create beautiful rhythmic sounds this new year!
This easy and beautiful Chinese lantern craft will bring good fortune to everyone in the new year!
Every kid I know loves slime, and your kids are going to love this Chinese New Year-themed slime. There's always a slime for every occasion!
Your kids will love making these paper fortune cookies as there's always an inspirational or affirmation message alongside these paper cookies!
If you're making treats this Chinese New Year and have extra materials, give them to your kids and see how creative they can get with this cupcake liner dragon craft!
This paper plate craft is perfect for the Chinese New Year. With a few materials and creativity, your kids can make their own dragon puppet!
This paper plate hand fan is super easy to make, and your kids will love them as they fan away!
A symbolic craft among the Chinese, the goldfish signifies fortune and abundance, and I'm sure that you're kids will abundantly enjoy this craft!
From building lanterns to creating homemade dragons, there are a ton of great activities that you can do with your elementary students to celebrate the Chinese New Year! Try a few and see which ones your little learners enjoy the most.
Learning about other cultures is an important part of being a global citizen, so have fun while you’re doing it!
More Chinese New Year Activities
Lunar New Year Books for Elementary Students
Chinese New Year Activities for Kindergarten
Kindergarteners will love this new and festive way to celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Lunar New Year will never be complete without the dragons! If you want to try making your own mini version of the traditional dragon dance, you have to try making this dragon craft with your little one! It’s easy and so cute!
Chinese New Year Activities for Kids
Chinese New Year Preschool Activities
Chinese New Year Play Date by Artsy Momma
Thumbprint Chinese Zodiac Craft by Fun Handprint Art