Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, offers many opportunities for students to learn about Chinese culture and traditions. Here are 60 engaging activities for students to celebrate and explore this important holiday in the classroom or at home.
Snake-Themed Activities for Year of the Snake 2025
1. Snake Masks
Create colorful snake masks using paper plates, paint, and craft supplies.
2. Toilet Roll Snake Craft
Make a snake using toilet paper rolls, paint in lucky colors (black, red, and yellow), and decorate with googly eyes.
3. Egg Carton Snakes
Craft snakes from egg cartons, painting them red and gold, and adding jingle bells for sound.
4. Paper Chain Snake
Create a paper chain snake using strips of paper in lucky colors, forming an “S” shape for added effect.
5. Snake Zodiac Fan
Make a printable zodiac fan featuring the snake to help students learn about and retell the Chinese zodiac story.
Classroom Decorations and Crafts
Decorating the classroom is a great way to create a festive atmosphere and teach students about Chinese New Year symbols and traditions. Here are some decoration and craft ideas:
6. Paper Lanterns
Students can make simple paper lanterns using red and gold construction paper. Hang them around the classroom for a festive look.
7. Chinese Zodiac Animal Posters
Create posters featuring the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Students can research and illustrate each animal.
8. Red Envelopes
Make red envelopes (hong bao) using red paper. Students can decorate them with gold designs.
9. Paper Cutting Art
Teach students the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting. Create intricate designs to hang on windows.
10. Dragon Puppet
Make a colorful dragon puppet using paper plates, streamers, and craft sticks. Use it for a dragon dance.
11. Chinese Fans
Fold paper into decorative fans and have students paint traditional Chinese designs on them.
12. Cherry Blossom Art
Create a cherry blossom tree mural using pink tissue paper for blossoms.
13. Firecracker Decorations
Make paper firecracker decorations using red paper tubes and gold tassels.
14. Chinese Calligraphy
Practice writing Chinese characters for “good luck” and “happiness” to display.
15. Tangram Puzzles
Cut out colorful tangram shapes for students to create animals and other designs.
Cultural Learning Activities
Incorporate these activities to teach students about Chinese culture and traditions:
16. Chinese Zodiac Lesson
Teach students about the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and have them identify their zodiac animal based on birth year.
17. New Year Customs Presentation
Have students research and present on different Chinese New Year customs and their meanings.
18. Legend of Nian Story
Read the story of Nian, the mythical beast, to explain the origins of some New Year traditions.
19. Virtual Field Trip
Take a virtual tour of Chinese New Year celebrations in China or Chinatowns around the world.
20. Chinese Language Lesson
Teach basic Mandarin phrases for New Year greetings and numbers.
21. Traditional Clothing Show
Show pictures or videos of traditional Chinese clothing worn for New Year celebrations.
22. Chinese Inventions Timeline
Create a timeline of important Chinese inventions and discoveries throughout history.
23. Geography Lesson
Study the geography of China and its provinces on a map.
24. Chinese Art History
Explore famous works of traditional Chinese art and their cultural significance.
25. Symbolism in Chinese Culture
Discuss the meanings behind common symbols in Chinese culture like dragons, the color red, and certain numbers.
Food-Related Activities
Food plays an important role in Chinese New Year celebrations. Try these food-related activities:
26. Dumpling Making
Teach students how to make and fold simple dumplings, a traditional New Year food.
27. Fortune Cookie Messages
Write positive messages for homemade or store-bought fortune cookies.
28. Mandarin Orange Tasting
Bring in mandarin oranges, a symbol of good fortune, for students to taste.
29. Chinese Tea Ceremony
Demonstrate or watch a video about the traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
30. New Year Foods Research
Have students research and present on the symbolic meanings of different New Year foods.
31. Chopsticks Practice
Set up stations for students to practice using chopsticks with different objects.
32. Recipe Writing
Write recipes for simple Chinese dishes in both English and Chinese.
33. Food Art
Create art using foods commonly eaten during Chinese New Year like oranges and noodles.
34. Taste Test
Do a taste test of different Chinese teas or snacks.
35. Menu Planning
Plan a menu for a Chinese New Year feast, including traditional dishes.
Games and Physical Activities
Engage students with these fun games and activities:
36. Chinese Yo-Yo Demonstration
Show students how to use a Chinese yo-yo (diabolo) and let them practice.
37. Lion Dance
Learn and perform a simple version of the traditional lion dance.
38. Chinese Jump Rope
Teach students how to play Chinese jump rope using a long elastic band.
39. Tangram Challenges
Have students compete to solve tangram puzzles the fastest.
40. Red Envelope Hunt
Hide red envelopes around the classroom for students to find.
41. Chinese Hacky Sack
Play with a jianzi, a traditional Chinese shuttlecock kicked with feet.
42. New Year Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course with Chinese New Year themed challenges.
43. Dragon Parade
Have students create a dragon costume and parade around the school.
44. Chopstick Relay Race
Set up a relay race where students transfer objects using only chopsticks.
45. Chinese Whispers
Play the game of telephone using Chinese words or phrases.
Writing and Language Arts Activities
Incorporate Chinese New Year themes into language arts lessons:
46. New Year Acrostic Poems
Write acrostic poems using words related to Chinese New Year.
47. Chinese Calligraphy Practice
Practice writing Chinese characters with brush and ink.
48. New Year Resolutions
Write New Year resolutions in both English and Chinese.
49. Story Writing
Write a story about celebrating Chinese New Year or incorporate zodiac animals.
50. Thank You Notes
Write thank you notes for imaginary red envelope gifts.
51. Chinese Proverbs
Study common Chinese proverbs and their meanings.
52. Zodiac Animal Descriptions
Write detailed descriptions of the personality traits associated with different zodiac animals.
53. New Year Greetings
Learn and practice writing traditional New Year greetings in Chinese.
54. Comparative Essay
Compare Chinese New Year celebrations to other cultural new year traditions.
55. Diary Entry
Write a diary entry from the perspective of someone celebrating Chinese New Year in China.
Math and Science Connections
Integrate Chinese New Year themes into math and science lessons:
56. Lunar Calendar Study
Learn about the lunar calendar and how it differs from the solar calendar.
57. Abacus Math
Introduce the Chinese abacus and practice simple calculations.
58. Fireworks Science
Study the chemistry behind fireworks and their colors.
59. Population Statistics
Analyze population statistics related to Chinese New Year travel and celebrations.
60. Zodiac Probability
Calculate the probability of having certain zodiac signs in the class.
Understanding Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the start of the lunar calendar and typically falls between late January and mid-February. In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on January 29th, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
The holiday centers around themes of family reunion, good fortune, and new beginnings. Celebrations last for 15 days, concluding with the Lantern Festival. During this time, people engage in various traditions and customs to welcome good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Key Traditions and Symbols
Some key Chinese New Year traditions and symbols include:
- Red decorations and clothing to symbolize good fortune
- Giving red envelopes (hong bao) with money to children and unmarried adults
- Setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits
- Cleaning the house before the new year to sweep away bad luck
- Family reunion dinners with special symbolic foods
- Lion and dragon dances for good luck
- Lanterns to symbolize hope for the future
Implementing Chinese New Year Activities
When implementing these activities, consider the following tips:
- Adapt activities to suit your students’ age and skill levels.
- Spread activities throughout the weeks leading up to and following Chinese New Year.
- Invite parents or community members with Chinese heritage to share their experiences and traditions.
- Use authentic materials and resources when possible to provide accurate cultural information.
- Encourage students to make connections between Chinese culture and their own cultural backgrounds.
- Be sensitive to cultural appropriation and focus on appreciation rather than imitation.
- Use the activities as springboards for deeper discussions about cultural diversity and global awareness.
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