Organizing Chinese New Year activities for students is a fun and meaningful way to explore one of the world’s most celebrated traditions in your classroom. From hands-on crafts to themed games and cultural lessons, these activities will spark creativity and deepen students’ understanding of Chinese traditions. Ready to bring the festive spirit to your classroom? Let’s explore the best Chinese New Year activities to celebrate and learn in the classroom!
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in Chinese culture. The celebration marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and typically falls between late January and mid-February, depending on the moon’s cycle.
It’s a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and welcoming a year full of luck, prosperity, and happiness. For students, learning about Chinese New Year is a wonderful opportunity to explore cultural traditions, values, and global celebrations in a fun and meaningful way!
10+ Chinese New Year Activities for Students
We’ve compiled a list of exciting Lunar New Year activities for students to enjoy and celebrate in the classroom:
1. Paper Lantern Craft
Creating paper lanterns is one of the most popular and engaging Chinese New Year activities for students, offering a fun way to explore one of the holiday’s most iconic symbols.
Lanterns represent hope, happiness, and good fortune for the year ahead. It’s a simple yet meaningful project that brings the spirit of Lunar New Year to life!
Materials Needed:
- Colored construction paper (red and gold preferred)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Markers or stickers for decoration
How to Do:
- Fold a sheet of red construction paper in half, lengthwise.
- Starting from the folded side, cut slits evenly across the paper, stopping about 1 inch from the edge.
- Unfold the paper and roll it into a cylinder shape, securing the ends with tape or glue.
- Add a handle using another strip of paper and decorate the lantern with gold stickers, drawings, or Chinese characters for “luck” and “happiness.”
- Hang the lanterns around the classroom to create a festive atmosphere while discussing their cultural meaning.
2. Chinese Zodiac Animal Masks
Let students dive into the world of the Chinese Zodiac by creating and wearing their own animal masks — a playful way to connect with the stories and traditions behind each zodiac sign.
As students craft and role-play their chosen zodiac animals, they build not only cultural awareness but also social-emotional learning through imaginative play.
Materials Needed:
- Printable animal mask templates or blank paper
- Crayons, markers, or paint
- Scissors
- String or elastic bands
How to Do:
- Introduce students to the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac and their meanings.
- Let students pick their birth year animal or a favorite zodiac creature.
- Provide templates or let them draw freehand animal faces on cardstock.
- Color and cut out the masks, then attach a string or elastic band so they can wear them.
- Host a short role-play or storytelling session where students act as their chosen animals.
3. Red Envelope Craft and Kindness Notes
Among the most meaningful Chinese New Year activities for students is creating red envelopes and exchanging heartfelt wishes with their peers.
Instead of money, students can fill them with thoughtful messages or small tokens of appreciation, making it a perfect activity for promoting kindness, community, and cultural understanding.
Materials Needed:
- Red paper or pre-made red envelopes
- Gold markers or stickers
- Small treats or “kindness notes”
How to Do:
- Teach students about the tradition of giving “hongbao” (red envelopes) for luck and prosperity.
- Let each student fold and decorate their own red envelope with gold markers, Chinese characters, and festive stickers.
- Instead of money, encourage them to write a kindness note or a wish for good fortune to exchange with classmates.
- Host a mini envelope exchange ceremony to foster classroom community and friendship.
4. Chinese New Year Parade Simulation
Bring the festive atmosphere of a real Chinese New Year parade to your classroom with handmade dragon props and energetic team performances. Students will experience how parades play an essential role in driving away bad luck and welcoming good fortune during the New Year.
Materials Needed:
- DIY paper dragon head
- Red and gold streamers
- Drums or noisemakers
How to Do:
- Teach students about the significance of dragon and lion dances during Chinese New Year parades.
- Guide the class in creating a dragon head out of cardboard and painting it.
- Attach the head to a stick and create a “dragon body” using streamers.
- Form a line, with students holding the streamers to mimic the dragon’s body, and parade around the classroom.
- Add drums and clapping to recreate the festive vibe.
5. Chopstick Challenge
This light-hearted game introduces students to the fine motor skill and cultural etiquette of using chopsticks, a staple of Chinese dining tradition. It’s a fun way to spark classroom laughter while building coordination and learning about Chinese culture!
Materials Needed:
- Chopsticks
- Small items (pom-poms, beads, cotton balls)
- Bowls or containers
How to Do:
- Teach students how to properly hold and use chopsticks.
- Create a fun relay or timed challenge: using only chopsticks, students must transfer items from one bowl to another.
- Discuss the importance of chopsticks in Chinese dining culture.
- Award small prizes or certificates for effort, teamwork, and technique.
6. Chinese New Year Bingo
Bingo is a classroom favorite, and when themed around the Lunar New Year, it becomes both fun and educational! Create bingo cards featuring Chinese symbols, zodiac animals, traditional foods, and festive decorations.
As students play, they become familiar with common Chinese New Year vocabulary and traditions while enjoying the thrill of a game.
Materials Needed:
- Printable Chinese New Year bingo cards
- Markers or counters
- Picture or word-based calling cards
How to Do It:
- Print out bingo cards with various Lunar New Year symbols and hand them to students.
- Draw images or call out descriptions of each symbol for students to mark their cards.
- The first student to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and can win a festive prize, like a red envelope with a kind note or sticker.
Download Chinese New Year Bingo Worksheets.
7. Dragon Puppet Craft
Dragons are iconic creatures of Chinese New Year and turning them into craft activities is a fun way to blend creativity with cultural learning for students.
This is a creative way for them to craft their own mini dragons and explore the importance of dragons in Chinese mythology.
Materials Needed:
- Paper cups or toilet paper rolls
- Colored paper (especially red and gold)
- Glue, scissors, markers
- Wooden sticks or straws
How to Do:
- Create a dragon’s head and tail using colored paper and glue them to opposite ends of a toilet paper roll.
- Decorate the body with scales and features using markers and paper cutouts.
- Attach wooden sticks to the sides to control the puppet.
- Host a puppet show where students make their dragons dance to festive music.
8. Tangram Puzzle Challenge
Tangrams are a classic Chinese puzzle game that promotes spatial awareness, critical thinking, and creativity.
This hands-on puzzle helps students strengthen their geometry skills while giving them a taste of Chinese cultural heritage. It’s a great quiet-time or partner activity during your New Year lesson.
Materials Needed:
- Printable tangram templates or wooden tangram sets
- Scissors (if printing templates)
How to Do:
- Briefly introduce the history of tangrams in Chinese culture.
- Let students cut out tangram shapes or use prepared wooden sets.
- Provide them with silhouette puzzles to solve individually or in groups.
- Encourage them to create their own designs to challenge classmates.
9. Chinese New Year Trivia Game
Turn your classroom into a game show with a Chinese New Year trivia challenge! This game encourages participation, sparks curiosity, and creates lively discussions about Chinese customs and beliefs. It’s a fantastic way to wrap up a lesson or kick-start a celebration.
Materials Needed:
- Printed trivia question cards
- Small prizes (optional)
How to Do:
- Prepare a set of multiple-choice or true/false questions about Chinese New Year traditions.
- Divide the class into teams and take turns answering the questions.
- Award points for each correct answer, and offer prizes for winning teams to encourage friendly competition.
- Wrap up the game by discussing any questions the students found interesting or surprising.
Download Chinese New Year Trivia Questions Worksheets.
10. Chinese Dumpling Making
Making dumplings is one of the most hands-on activities for students that highlights the importance of family and food during the Chinese New Year. This activity opens a conversation about why dumplings symbolize wealth and unity during Chinese New Year feasts.
Materials Needed:
- Dumpling wrappers
- Premade filling (vegetarian or meat-based)
- Small bowls and spoons
How to Do:
- Explain the significance of dumplings during the New Year (they symbolize wealth and unity).
- Demonstrate how to scoop filling onto a wrapper and fold it into a half-moon shape, pinching the edges to seal.
- Let students make their own dumplings and cook them together as a class (with supervision).
- Enjoy the dumplings while reflecting on the importance of food and family in New Year celebrations.
FAQs
1. How to teach Chinese New Year to kids?
Start by explaining the significance of Chinese New Year, focusing on traditions like family gatherings, the Chinese Zodiac, and symbols of luck and prosperity.
You can incorporate activities for students such as crafts, stories, and games to make the learning experience more interactive and memorable.
2. What is the traditional game for Chinese New Year?
During Chinese New Year, families and friends often gather to play traditional games that bring luck, laughter, and connection. Some popular Chinese New Year games include:
- Mahjong
- Pitch-pot
- Chinese Chess
- Red Envelope Guessing Game
- Lantern Riddles
- Shuttlecock Kicking
- Dice Gambling Game (often played during New Year feasts)
These games are not only entertaining but also deeply rooted in Chinese culture, teaching kids about strategy, teamwork, and celebration.
3. How to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the classroom?
You can celebrate Chinese New Year in the classroom by organizing traditional activities for students, such as creating paper lanterns, exploring the Chinese Zodiac, hosting a mini parade, or crafting red envelopes. These hands-on activities help promote cultural learning while adding fun and festive energy to your classroom.
Wrap up
Celebrating Chinese New Year activities for students is a fantastic way to introduce students to one of the world’s most vibrant cultural traditions. These hands-on experiences not only spark creativity and teamwork but also help students develop a deeper understanding and respect for cultural diversity.
So, as the Lunar New Year approaches, don’t hesitate to bring the festive spirit into your classroom — and let your students learn, create, and celebrate together!
