Keeping kids engaged during festive seasons can be tricky. Parents and teachers often struggle to find activities that are both fun and educational, especially during cultural celebrations like the Lunar New Year.

But what if there was a way to blend learning with celebration? Lunar New Year Activities offer the perfect opportunity to teach children about culture, traditions, and essential skills while they have a blast.

This guide offers activities like crafts and games to bring learning to life during the Lunar New Year, with ideas suitable for different age groups and learning styles.

What Kids Should Know About the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year, also called Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar.

Kids should know this celebration isn’t just one day; it lasts about 15 days! Families come together to honor ancestors, share meals, and wish each other good fortune.

Children will love learning about the zodiac animals. Each year is represented by one of twelve animals, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake.

Red decorations fill homes and streets because red symbolizes luck and happiness. It also keeps away evil spirits, according to ancient legends.

Kids get red envelopes called “hongbao” filled with money from elders. This tradition teaches respect for family and the importance of blessings.

Traditional foods carry special meanings, too. Dumplings represent wealth, while long noodles symbolize a long life.

Understanding these customs helps children appreciate different cultures and the values families pass down through generations.

Lunar New Year Activities for Toddlers

Toddlers learn best through hands-on play and sensory experiences. These simple activities introduce little ones to Lunar New Year traditions while building essential developmental skills.

1. Red Paper Tearing Art

• How to do: Let toddlers tear red construction paper into small pieces and glue them onto paper plates. This simple activity helps develop fine motor skills while introducing the lucky color of the celebration.
• Time required: 15-20 minutes
• What you need: Red construction paper, paper plates, glue

2. Sensory Rice Bin Play

• How to do: Fill a large container with uncooked rice dyed red and gold. Hide small toys or plastic coins inside for toddlers to scoop and find. Supervise closely to prevent choking hazards.
• Time required: 20-25 minutes
• What you need: Dyed rice, plastic bin, scoops, small toys

3. Dragon Puppet Show

• How to do: Create a simple dragon puppet using a paper bag. Draw eyes and add colorful streamers to the bottom. Help toddlers move their puppets while making playful sounds together.
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• What you need: Paper bags, crayons, ribbons, or crepe paper

4. Lucky Coin Sorting

• How to do: Give toddlers gold chocolate coins or plastic coins to sort into red bowls. This teaches basic sorting skills and connects them to the tradition of giving money during celebrations.
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• What you need: Gold coins (chocolate or plastic), red bowls

5. Drum Banging Music Time

• How to do: Turn empty containers into drums. Let toddlers bang away with wooden spoons while explaining how drums chase away bad luck and welcome good fortune.
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• What you need: Empty containers, wooden spoons, red tape

6. Sticky Wall Lantern

• How to do: Cover a low section of the wall with contact paper, sticky side out. Give toddlers tissue paper squares in red, gold, and orange to stick on, creating a colorful lantern pattern.
• Time required: 15-20 minutes
• What you need: Contact paper, tissue paper, painter’s tape

7. Noodle Painting

• How to do: Cook thick noodles and let them cool. Toddlers can dip noodles in washable paint and create squiggly designs on paper. Talk about how noodles mean long life.
• Time required: 20 minutes
• What you need: Cooked noodles, washable paint, paper

8. Orange Rolling Race

• How to do: Place fresh oranges on the floor and encourage toddlers to roll them to a finish line. Oranges represent good luck, and this activity gets little ones moving.
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• What you need: Fresh oranges, masking tape

9. Red Envelope Stuffing

• How to do: Give toddlers empty red envelopes and colorful paper strips to stuff inside. This mimics the tradition of giving hongbao while working on hand-eye coordination.
• Time required: 10-15 minutes
• What you need: Red envelopes, colorful paper strips

Chinese New Year Activities for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are ready for more structured crafts and activities that build creativity. These hands-on projects help them understand the symbols and stories behind Chinese New Year celebrations.

10. Paper Lantern Crafting

• How to do: Cut red construction paper into strips and staple them together to form a cylinder. Add a paper handle on top. Preschoolers can decorate their lanterns with gold stickers or draw festive patterns with markers.
• Time required: 20-25 minutes
• What you need: Red and yellow construction paper, scissors, stapler, markers

11. Zodiac Animal Masks

• How to do: Print simple animal face templates of the 12 zodiac animals. Let preschoolers color and cut them out, then attach them to paper plates with holes for eyes. They can wear their masks and learn which animal represents the current year.
• Time required: 25-30 minutes
• What you need: Animal templates, paper plates, crayons, and elastic string

12. Fortune Cookie Messages

• How to do: Fold tan construction paper into fortune cookie shapes and secure with glue. Help preschoolers write or draw simple wishes on paper strips to tuck inside. They can share their fortunes with family members.
• Time required: 20 minutes
• What you need: Tan construction paper, paper strips, glue, pencils

13. Firecracker Counting Game

• How to do: Create paper firecrackers by wrapping toilet paper rolls in red paper. Write numbers on each one. Preschoolers practice counting by arranging them in order or grouping them by quantity.
• Time required: 15-20 minutes
• What you need: Toilet paper rolls, red paper, markers, tape

14. Cherry Blossom Stamping

• How to do: Dip cotton swabs or crumpled tissue paper into pink and white paint. Preschoolers stamp them onto brown paper branches to create cherry blossom trees, which symbolize new beginnings.
• Time required: 20-25 minutes
• What you need: Pink and white paint, cotton swabs, brown paper, and large paper

15. Dragon Dance Streamer

• How to do: Attach long ribbons or crepe paper strips to a paper towel roll. Preschoolers wave their streamers while moving around to music, mimicking the dragon dances seen during parades.
• Time required: 15 minutes
• What you need: Paper towel rolls, ribbons or crepe paper, tape

16. Lucky Character Tracing

• How to do: Print large Chinese characters that mean luck or happiness. Preschoolers trace over them with red crayons or finger paint. This introduces them to written Chinese in a fun way.
• Time required: 15-20 minutes
• What you need: Character templates, red crayons or finger paint, paper

17. Dumpling Play-Doh

• How to do: Use tan or white play-dough to form dumpling shapes. Preschoolers pinch the edges to seal their creations, just like authentic dumplings. Talk about how dumplings bring wealth and prosperity.
• Time required: 20 minutes
• What you need: Play-dough, rolling pins, child-safe tools

18. Red Envelope Decorating

• How to do: Give preschoolers plain red envelopes to decorate with gold stickers, stamps, or drawings. They can add their names and practice giving them to classmates or family members as gifts.
• Time required: 15-20 minutes
• What you need: Red envelopes, gold stickers, markers, stamps

Lunar New Year Activities for Elementary Kids

Elementary students can handle more complex projects that combine learning with tradition. These activities teach cultural significance while developing skills in writing, art, and critical thinking.

19. Chinese Calligraphy Practice

• How to do: Teach kids to write simple Chinese characters using brush pens and black ink. Start with basic strokes, then move to characters like “福” (luck) or “春” (spring). They can display their work on red paper for authentic decoration.
• Time required: 30-40 minutes
• What you need: Brush pens, black ink, practice paper, red cardstock

20. Zodiac Animal Research Project

• How to do: Assign each student a zodiac animal to research. They create a poster showing the animal’s characteristics, the years it represents, and personality traits. Kids present their findings to the class and compare traits with their own birth year animal.
• Time required: 45-60 minutes
• What you need: Research materials, poster board, markers, printed references

21. Paper Cutting Art

• How to do: Fold red paper in half and draw half of a symmetrical design like butterflies, flowers, or “double happiness” symbols. Kids cut along the lines and unfold to reveal intricate patterns used in traditional window decorations.
• Time required: 25-30 minutes
• What you need: Red tissue paper, scissors, pencils, templates

22. Lion Dance Costume Building

• How to do: Use large cardboard boxes to create lion heads. Kids paint them in bright colors, add googly eyes, and attach fabric or paper strips for the body. They can perform simple lion dance movements in pairs.
• Time required: 45-50 minutes
• What you need: Cardboard boxes, paint, fabric scraps, googly eyes, glue

23. Spring Couplet Writing

• How to do: Explain how families hang red banners with poetic phrases on doorways. Students write their own wishes or goals for the new year on red paper strips in English or attempt simple Chinese characters.
• Time required: 20-25 minutes
• What you need: Red paper strips, black markers, or calligraphy pens

24. Tangram Puzzle Solving

• How to do: Provide tangram sets and challenge cards. Kids arrange seven geometric pieces to form zodiac animals or traditional symbols. This ancient Chinese puzzle develops spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Time required: 20-30 minutes
• What you need: Tangram sets, challenge cards, answer sheets

25. Traditional Story Reading Circle

• How to do: Read the legend of Nian, the monster scared away by red decorations and loud noises. Students act out the story or create comic strips retelling the tale with their own illustrations.
• Time required: 30-35 minutes
• What you need: Story book or printout, drawing paper, colored pencils

26. Abacus Math Games

• How to do: Introduce the traditional Chinese abacus for counting and simple math. Kids practice addition and subtraction problems, competing in friendly speed challenges. This connects math learning with cultural tools.
• Time required: 25-30 minutes
• What you need: Abacus (one per student or pair), math problem cards

27. Koi Fish Origami

• How to do: Follow step-by-step instructions to fold orange or gold origami paper into koi fish shapes. These fish symbolize abundance and perseverance. Students can create mobiles or wall displays with their finished fish.
• Time required: 30-35 minutes
• What you need: Orange and gold origami paper, folding instructions, and string for hanging

28. Tea Ceremony Simulation

• How to do: Set up a mock tea ceremony where students learn proper pouring and serving etiquette. Serve mild jasmine or chrysanthemum tea with snacks. Discuss how tea represents respect and hospitality in Chinese culture.
• Time required: 25-30 minutes
• What you need: Tea set, mild tea, small cups, traditional snacks

29. Festival Foods Tasting Chart

• How to do: Bring in or prepare simple Lunar New Year foods like tangerines, dumplings, and rice cakes. Students taste each item and record what it symbolizes on a chart, noting which foods they enjoyed most.
• Time required: 30-35 minutes
• What you need: Various festival foods, small plates, tasting chart worksheets, and napkins

Lunar New Year Activities for Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers grow on projects that challenge their creativity and intellect. These activities blend cultural exploration with skills in research, cooking, technology, and collaborative work.

30. Documentary Film Project

• How to do: Students work in groups to create short documentary videos about Lunar New Year traditions. They interview family members or community members, film local celebrations, and edit footage with music and narration explaining customs.
• Time required: Multiple sessions (2-3 hours total)
• What you need: Smartphones or cameras, video editing software, and interview questions

31. Traditional Recipe Cooking Class

• How to do: Students follow authentic recipes to prepare dishes like spring rolls, fried rice, or sweet rice balls. They measure ingredients, practice kitchen safety, and learn the symbolic meaning behind each dish while developing cooking skills.
• Time required: 60-75 minutes
• What you need: Recipe ingredients, cooking equipment, aprons, storage containers

32. Lunar Calendar Math Investigation

• How to do: Compare the lunar calendar system with the Gregorian calendar. Students calculate dates, explore why Lunar New Year falls on different days each year, and create visual timelines showing the 12-year zodiac cycle.
• Time required: 40-45 minutes
• What you need: Calendar references, calculators, graphing paper, colored markers

33. Cultural Comparison Essay

• How to do: Students research how different Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year with unique traditions. They write comparative essays highlighting similarities and differences between Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other celebrations.
• Time required: 50-60 minutes (plus homework)
• What you need: Research materials, writing paper or computers, and rubric guidelines

34. Dragon Puppet Construction

• How to do: Build large-scale dragon puppets using PVC pipes, fabric, and paint. Multiple students hold poles underneath to animate the dragon during performances. This teaches teamwork and creates an impressive visual display.
• Time required: 90-120 minutes (across multiple sessions)
• What you need: PVC pipes, colorful fabric, paint, hot glue, and dowel rods

35. Digital Greeting Card Design

• How to do: Use graphic design software or apps to create animated digital greeting cards. Students incorporate traditional symbols, zodiac animals, and bilingual greetings in Chinese and English for a modern twist on red envelopes.
• Time required: 45-50 minutes
• What you need: Computers or tablets, design software (Canva, Adobe Spark), image resources

36. Poetry Slam Performance

• How to do: Students write original poems about new beginnings, family traditions, or cultural identity inspired by Lunar New Year themes. They perform their work at a poetry slam event, practicing public speaking and creative expression.
• Time required: 40-50 minutes (writing and rehearsal)
• What you need: Writing materials, microphone (optional), performance space

37. Lantern Festival Science

• How to do: Design and build sky lanterns using tissue paper and wire frames, but keep them grounded for safety. Discuss the physics of hot air rising and the history of lanterns in celebrations while creating decorative pieces.
• Time required: 50-60 minutes
• What you need: Tissue paper, wire, candles (LED for safety), scissors, tape

38. Traditional Music Exploration

• How to do: Listen to traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu, pipa, and guzheng. Students identify musical characteristics, compare them to Western instruments, and create simple rhythm patterns using classroom percussion instruments.
• Time required: 35-40 minutes
• What you need: Audio recordings, speakers, percussion instruments, listening guide worksheets

39. Business Plan for Festival Booth

• How to do: Challenge students to design a hypothetical business selling festival goods or foods. They calculate costs, set prices, create marketing materials, and present their business plans. This combines entrepreneurship with cultural knowledge.
• Time required: 60-75 minutes
• What you need: Budget worksheets, calculators, presentation materials, and sample price lists

Lunar New Year Activities for Teens

Teenagers can engage with Lunar New Year through independent projects that connect tradition with modern interests.

These activities promote leadership, cultural awareness, and creative expression while honoring meaningful customs.

40. Social Media Campaign Creation

• How to do: Teens design a social media campaign educating peers about Lunar New Year traditions. They create Instagram reels, TikTok videos, or Twitter threads with facts, debunk myths, and share personal stories. Track engagement and discuss what content resonated most.
• Time required: 60-90 minutes (plus posting time)
• What you need: Smartphones, social media accounts, a content calendar template, and editing apps

41. Community Service Food Drive

• How to do: Organize a food drive collecting ingredients for traditional Lunar New Year meals to donate to families in need. Teens coordinate logistics, promote the drive, collect items, and deliver donations to local community centers or cultural organizations.
• Time required: 2-3 hours (planning and execution)
• What you need: Collection boxes, promotional flyers, transportation, and a contact list for organizations

42. Fashion Design Showcase

• How to do: Research traditional clothing like qipao or hanfu, then sketch modern interpretations blending cultural elements with contemporary fashion. Teens create mood boards, design portfolios, or even sew simple garments for a classroom fashion show.
• Time required: 90-120 minutes (design phase)
• What you need: Sketchbooks, fabric samples, sewing materials (optional), fashion magazines

43. Photography Exhibition Project

• How to do: Capture photos of local Lunar New Year celebrations, family traditions, or symbolic objects. Teens curate a photo exhibition with captions explaining cultural significance. Display work in school hallways or create a digital gallery.
• Time required: Multiple sessions (3-4 hours total)
• What you need: Cameras or smartphones, photo editing software, printing service, and display boards

44. Debate Tournament

• How to do: Host debates on topics like preserving traditions in modern society, cultural appropriation versus appreciation, or balancing multiple cultural identities. Teens research positions, present arguments, and engage in respectful discourse.
• Time required: 60-75 minutes
• What you need: Debate topics list, timer, judging rubric, notecards

45. Event Planning Simulation

• How to do: Challenge teens to plan a complete Lunar New Year celebration from scratch. They create budgets, design invitations, schedule activities, arrange catering, and present proposals. This develops real-world planning and organizational skills.
• Time required: 90-120 minutes
• What you need: Budget templates, sample vendor lists, planning worksheets, and presentation software

46. Cultural Exchange Panel

• How to do: Invite students from different cultural backgrounds to share how they celebrate Lunar New Year or similar holidays. Teens prepare questions, moderate discussions, and create comparison charts highlighting diverse traditions and shared values.
• Time required: 75-90 minutes
• What you need: Panel speakers, microphones, question cards, and seating arrangement

47. Advanced Dumpling Workshop

• How to do: Learn to make dumplings from scratch, including preparing fillings and hand-rolling wrappers. Teens experiment with different folding techniques and filling combinations, then host a tasting party comparing their creations.
• Time required: 90-120 minutes
• What you need: Flour, filling ingredients, rolling pins, steamer baskets, recipe cards

48. Podcast Episode Production

• How to do: Record a podcast episode exploring the Lunar New Year through interviews, personal narratives, and historical facts. Teens script content, record audio, edit with sound effects and music, then publish or share with classmates.
• Time required: 120-150 minutes (recording and editing)
• What you need: Recording equipment or apps, editing software, script templates, guests (optional)

49. Mural Design and Painting

• How to do: Design a large-scale mural featuring zodiac animals, lanterns, and cultural symbols. Teens collaborate on sketching, transferring the design to a wall or canvas, and painting sections. Display the finished piece in a public school area.
• Time required: Multiple sessions (4-6 hours total)
• What you need: Large canvas or wall space, acrylic paints, brushes, pencils, and a projector for transferring the design

How to Plan Perfect Lunar New Year Activities for Kids?

Planning successful Lunar New Year activities requires organization and understanding of your group’s needs. Follow these practical steps to create memorable experiences that balance education with fun.

• Consider the age group and attention span when selecting activities
• Gather all materials at least one day before to avoid last-minute scrambling
• Explain the cultural meaning behind each activity before starting
• Mix active games with quiet crafts to maintain energy levels throughout the day
• Test any food-related activities for allergies beforehand
• Create a schedule with realistic time blocks for each activity
• Keep backup activities ready in case something doesn’t work as planned
• Take photos or videos to document the learning experience

Wrapping It Up

Celebrating Lunar New Year with kids doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These Lunar New Year Activities offer something for every age group, from toddlers exploring sensory play to teens creating meaningful cultural projects.

The beauty lies in combining fun with learning, helping children appreciate traditions while developing essential skills.

Start small by picking one or two activities that match your child’s interests and abilities. You don’t need expensive materials or perfect execution.

Which activity will you try first? Gather your supplies, invite the kids, and let the celebration begin. Your effort today plants seeds of cultural appreciation that will grow for years to come.