Below you will find many Chinese New Year Crafts activities and projects for kids, teens, and parents. Find out how to make Chinese New Year crafts with the following decorations, instructions, patterns, and activities for children
Rabbits Crafts (2011 is Year of the Rabbit)
How to Make Origami Rabbits Heads Craft for Chinese New Year - On February 3rd is the Chinese New Year celebration. The year of the rabbit begins. Rabbit Years are fourth in the cycle, following Tiger Years, and recur every twelfth year. So, let’s celebrate that by making an origami rabbit head :)
Making Rabbit Chinese New Year Fan Arts and Crafts Project for Kids - 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, so today we will be making a Chinese-style fan with rabbits on it. Included is a template with 3 rabbit outlines, but you can also draw your own. Just make sure they aren’t too big.
How to Craft a Chinese Dragon Fridge Magnet Craft for Chinese New Year - Dragons are an important part of many Chinese festivals, including Chinese New Year. Let’s celebrate it by crafting this fridge magnet with the mini version of the dragon used during holiday parades and festivities.
How to Make Mini Paper Fan Earrings for the Chinese New Year - Let’s make a pair of earrings (you’ll need a little help on step # 4). These will be made of paper and will have two very important Chinese symbols : the fan and the cherry blossom.
How to Make a Chinese Fire Dragon Bookmark Craft for Kids - Because Chinese dragons are magnificent creatures and the Chinese New Year is approaching, let’s make a simple bookmark with dragon head. This beautiful bookmark that you will make in this arts and crafts project, will astound your friends and family members. And it is a LOT of fun to make.
How to Make Paper Lantern for The Chinese New Years Celebration - The Chinese New Year is coming up and this crafts project reminded me of a Chinese Paper Lantern. Today, we will show you how to make this easy-to-make arts and crafts project.
How to Draw a Chinese Dragon Head Step by Step Drawing Tutorial - We just showed you how to make a very cool Chinese dragon bookmark for the Chinese New Year. We wanted to follow up this arts and crafts project with a Chinese dragon head lesson
Ang
Pow Chinese New Year Crafts Project - - You will
see a lots of cute red packets for sale one month before Chinese
New Year.
Kids love them and they are just too cute to be thrown away. The best
wishes on these ang pows are usually "good grade in your
studies" or "grow up quickly".
A
Red Envelope for Chinese New Year - - At
Chinese New Year it is traditional for parents and elders to give
Gift s of "lucky money" to children and unmarried adults.
The money, which can vary from a small, new coin to a substantial
sum, is always presented in a red envelope. It's easy to make a red
envelope - why not have a go with the children?
Bowl
of Oranges Collage to Make for Chinese New Year - - Oranges or
tangerines are often taken to other families as Gift s and displayed
at Chinese New Year, as their Chinese names sound like the words for
"gold" and "wealth". We used some colorful papers
to create this stunning bowl of oranges collage.
Cardboard
Tube Red Firecrackers - - A
common decoration during Chinese New Year is a string of red
firecrackers. Some believe that throwing firecrackers scares away
evil spirits. Make a string of your own to display!
Chain
Snake to Make for Chinese New Year- - Turn
a paper chain into a snake with this fun and easy craft.
Celebration Cymbals Craft for Kids with Purim - Celebrate Chinese New Year, Carnival, Cinco de Mayo, or whenever a musical mood strikes. Join your friends for a musical parade.
Chi
Chiao Bang - - A
tangram is a seven piece puzzle that originated in China. The
pieces can be arranged and rearranged many times to create designs,
pictures and even animals.
Chinese
Banner Making Project - - Each year
the streets of China are decked with long, lacy garlands in honor of
the New Year. Celebrate in your home with this version of the popular
decorations.
Chinese
Blossom Tree Making Activities - - Here is a
quick and simple idea for a Chinese New Year craft which results in a
pretty picture which any little girl will be proud of!
Chinese
Character Cards - - Here's a unique way to send a message of support to your favorite
Olympian or your favorite local aspiring Olympian no matter what age.
Chinese
Dragons - -
This craft encourages the student to discover the world of the
Chinese dragon by creating their own festive dragon.
Chinese
Dragon Pull Toy - – Celebrate Chinese New Year together with this pull-along
dragon toy.
Chinese
Dragon Puppet - - We've used
a beautiful gold ribbon to give our Chinese Dragon Puppet a "scaly"
effect, along with bright pink, orange and red craft foam. I think
you will agree it looks spectacular!
Chinese
Dragon Puppet - - Parade
with a one-of-a-kind Chinese Dragon puppet. Celebrate Chinese New
Year, the country’s literature, or other aspects of this
ancient culture.
Chinese
Drum Craft - -
Fashioned noise-making toy, the Chinese drum (rattle) is twisted in
the hand so that the beads bounce of it and make a noise. With
practice you can get a good rhythm going! Here's one the kids can
make themselves.
Chinese
Firecracker Craft - - It used to
be traditional to set off very loud firecrackers at the beginning of
Chinese New Year, to warn away the man-eating monster Nian and to
welcome in the New Year. Your kids can make their own - less noisy -
Chinese firecrackers with this Chinese New Year craft idea.
Chinese
Floating Fabric - - Design
and fly a beautiful fabric windsock! This one is decorated with
traditional Chinese symbols
Chinese
Hat - - Paint and decorate a paper bowl into an authentic-looking Chinese
silk hat.
Chinese
Kites - - Celebrate
Chinese holidays and the country's ancient culture with animal zodiac
kites. Happy New Year!
Chinese
Knots Collage - - Knotting
is a traditional Chinese craft. Knots are functional (used to fasten
clothes, etc) but they are decorative too. Elaborate designs are
often used as decorations at Chinese New Year. Real Chinese knots can
be quite complicated but our Chinese Knots Collage is ideal for
younger children.
Chinese
Lantern - - Each
Asian or Lunar New Year bears the name of one of twelve animals. The
legend of the animals, the Festival of Lanterns, and dancing dragons
are included in our brief history.
Chinese
Lantern - - Explore
the Chinese lunar calendar and its associated animal (2002, horse;
2003, sheep; 2004, monkey; 2005, rooster). Discover how and when the
Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated by Chinese people
around the world.
Chinese
Lantern Craft - - This
Chinese lantern craft is quick and easy to do, but a string of them
hung across a room looks bright and pretty and perfect for a Chinese
New Year or Lantern Festival display.
Chinese
Lantern New Year Craft - - Every
Chinese New Year ends with a beautiful display of lanterns at the
Lantern Festival. Your children can make their own colorful Chinese
lantern craft for your Chinese New Year display. This lantern can be
adapted for all ages of kids.
Chinese
Lion Dance Costume - - The kids
will have great fun making this super Chinese Lion Dance costume -
and wearing it in their own Chinese New Year parade!
Chinese
Lion Puppet - - With
its concertina body, the kids can make this Chinese lion puppet dance
up and down just like it's doing a real Lion Dance.
Chinese
New Year 2009 Ox Pendants - - The
Chinese zodiac follows a twelve year cycle. One animal represents
each of these twelve years. It is believed that those people born
under a particular animal has the characteristics of this animal.
2009 is the year of the ox. Kids and adults alike can create this ox
pendant out of fun foam to celebrate this year.
Chinese
New Year Balls - Decoration ball
for Chinese New-Year.
Chinese
New Year Bracelet - - At Chinese
New Year children are given brand new, colorful clothes to wear, and
red is regarded as an especially lucky color. Your kids can have a go
making this Chinese New Year bracelet as part of their own Chinese
New Year celebration!
Chinese
New Year Crown or Hat - - A
simple construction paper 'hat' the kids have fun making, decorating
and wearing! We like making tissue paper flowers to decorate
it, but you can use markers, stickers, glitter or gel pens instead.
Chinese
New Year Dragon Parade - - Research
Chinese New Year and create dragon puppets to use in a parade.
Chinese
New Year's Drum - - Gong
xi fa cai! (It's pronounced Kung-hsi-fa-tsai!) Best wishes and congratulations
this Chinese New Year! That's the way you say "Happy New Year"
in the Mandarin Chinese dialect. Now you can say Gong
xi fa cai! and more with your Chinese New Year's drum.
Chinese
New Year Zodiac Wreath - - Use
a paper plate as the base for this cute 12 character zodiac calendar.
Chinese
New Year Dragon - - An easy
group project to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Chinese
New Year Wreath - - The
first of the twelve years is the Year of the Rat. This is
followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep,
Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Chinese
New Year Welcome Door Hanger - - Make this
door hanger to welcome good fortune into your home this Chinese New
Year.
Chinese
Opera Mask - - Chinese opera is a traditional form of theatre in China that goes
as far back as the 3rd century AD. Performers often paint their faces
to symbolize essential personality traits in the characters they
play. In this craft project, explore the glory of the Chinese opera
by decorating a mask into an exciting opera character.
Chinese
Orange Tray - - During the
celebration of Chinese
New Year,
oranges and tangerines are displayed in trays or bowls. Tangerines
are symbolic of good luck and oranges represent wealth. Make your own
tray of oranges to display!
Chinese
Paper Cut Craft - - Chinese
Paper Cuts have been a traditional form of decoration in China at
Chinese New Year and all year round for thousands of years. Why not
have a go with the kids? This craft is best for older children, as
they will need to plan their design carefully and use sharp scissors
to cut it out successfully.
Chinese
Red Lantern - -
Chinese New Year ends with a traditional Lantern Festival. Make your very own
Chinese lantern and decorate it with glittery gold or whatever you
choose! Hang your creation for all to see.
Chinese
Wiggly Dragon - – Ward off bad luck and evil spirits with this Chinese New Year
dragon craft project.
Clay
Pot Rat - - This cure little rodent, whether it be a mouse or a rat, is
absolutely adorable! This is a cute craft to make for Chinese
New Year, or even for just a rainy afternoon.
Coolest Homemade Dragon Costume Making Tutorial - The Dragon costumes ideas in this section have been graciously submitted by readers like yourself. If you end up with a cool costume, or already have some cool costume photos and tips to share, send them over via this form. You can win a cool prize - but more importantly, you'll be taking part in creating the Web's ultimate homemade costume resource that's always free for everyone to enjoy!
Concertina
Chinese Dragon - - An easy group project to celebrate the Chinese New
Year.
Dancing
Lion or Dragon Toy - - Traditionally,
on Chinese New Year, two people wear a huge lion or dragon costume
and dance. This toy is a tiny paper version of this traditional
puppet.
Decorate
A Paper Lantern - –
This is simple
for the kids to do, but will take pride of place wherever it is
displayed! Perfect for the
Chinese New Year celebration with a Japanese twist.
Decorate the house with flowers for Chinese New Year! - Chinese people decorate the house with fresh, bright flowers for Chinese New Year. You and your kids can do the same!
Dragon
Mask - - Celebrate
Chinese New Year with colorful, good luck headgear.
Dragon
Parade - - Watch your
child parade around with pride with this homemade crepe paper dragon
celebrating Chinese New Year.
Dragon
Puppet - - The
more sticks will use the longer the dragon will be.
Dragon
Puppet for Asian New Year - – This is a great craft project to make for celebrating the
Chinese New Year. Who knows, it might even bring good fortunes your
way.
Dragons
on Parade : Parade Crafts Ideas for Kids - What Chinese New Years Parade is complete without a colorful dragon?
Print out a pattern and create a dragon using our instructions.
Egg
Box Chinese Dragon - - Isn't this
Chinese dragon magnificent! The kids can make him with egg boxes and
other scraps from the craft cupboard, and he will be a fantastic part
of your Chinese New Year study or celebrations.
Fancy
Paper Lantern - - This paper
lantern is easy to make and can be embellished to match any decor or
to suit any occasion.
Fantasy
Fireworks Display - - Here’s
one way to make colorful, fake fireworks. Use the display to make a
centerpiece for a picnic, a mini Mardi Gras parade float, for a
Chinese New Year celebration, or any festive event.
Felt
Dumplings - - These cute
little dumplings are a symbol of Chinese New Year. Dumplings are one
of the most widely eaten foods during this time of year.
Felt
Snake - - Chinese
New Year is the perfect time to celebrate with this felt snake craft.
Kids can use it to decorate pens, pencils or whatever they please.
Felt
Snakes - - Curl these
slinky felt snakes around your drinking goblets, a place card, or
anywhere you want. This is a fun addition to a kid’s Harry
Potter party or a Chinese New Year gathering.
Festive
Ribbon Dragon - - Celebrate
Chinese New Year by crafting this mini version of the monster-size
dragon used during holiday parades and festivities.
Fortune
Boats : Making a Toy Boat or Ship Craft for Kids - Follow these easy step by step instructions to make colorful
fortune boats to celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Fortune
Cookie Craft - - These
unique cookies are so easy to make that you will want to make one for
everyone you know. You can glue a magnet or pin back to them or add
string for hanging. You can use them to make a surprise announcement
and they also are great favors for birthday parties, baby or wedding
showers, anniversary parties, and many other events.
Fortune
Cookie Decoration - - You can
guess your fortune with this felt fortune cookie decoration, but no
peeking! This kids craft is a great table decoration for Chinese New
Year or New Year's Day.
Frozen
Fireworks - - Fireworks are traditional Chinese New Year fodder - in fact, the
Chinese invented fireworks. Make your own "frozen fireworks"
to celebrate the New Year.
Golden
Chinese Dragon - - Celebrate
Chinese New Year, or explore the country's fascinating art and
culture, with this colorful Golden Chinese Dragon drawing.
Golden
Dragon Puppet - - This Chinese New Year Golden Dragon puppet has a special trick -
when you curl your fingers to make him look at somebody, his ears
stand up.
Good
Fortune Cupcakes - - Whip
up these Good Fortune cupcakes to share your wishes of good fortune
for the coming year. According to Chinese tradition, red is the
symbol for fire that scares away evil spirits. The markings on the
cupcakes represent good luck.
Good-luck
Goldfish - - Welcome
the Chinese New Year with these colorful, sun-catching goldfish, a
traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune.
Good Luck in a Red Envelope - - Ang-boas
are very popular in Malaysia for birthdays. Giving red packets is
also a Chinese New Year tradition. Create stunning red paper
envelopes to wish good luck to people you know.
Handprint Dragon - - Combined
with some paper shapes (cut out using our template) produce this
fantastic, fierce dragon - a fantastic craft for Chinese New Year or
a China theme, a fairy tale theme, or even St George's Day or St
David's Day.
Handprint
Ox Painting - - Handprint this
super ox painting for Chinese New Year of the Ox!
Hanging
Snake - - This is a relatively easy project to make. Hang it in your room
near a window to catch a breeze
How to Make a Chinese Dragon Costumes - Whether for the Lunar new year or any cool party, you might want to know how to make a Chinese dragon costume for a group to dance and have fun in. The good news is that you don't have to be steeped in the history and tradition in order to create a vibrant and beautiful costume.
Kai-Lan’s
Chinese New Year Fancy Lantern Craft - - Join the
Lantern Festival Parade or host a lantern party with these fancy
paper lanterns from Kai-lan and her friends!
Lai
See (Red Pocket) Fish - - Red
pocket is a Chinese tradition. The elder people give out red pockets
to children/teenagers. There is usually money inside. Chinese
children earn quite a fortune during Chinese New Year getting red
pockets from their elderly family members, uncles and aunties. Of
course, by the Newton's law of action and reaction, the elderly go
broke at the same time. Lucky that the red pockets giving only last
of 10-15 days.
Lights in the Dark - - This
illuminating idea is great to celebrate Diwali, Christmas, Chanukah,
Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Day of the Dead, or any holiday that
shines on your family.
Lion
Mask - - On the third day of the Chinese New Year, the Lion Dance begins.
Some people believe putting money in the lion's mouth will bring them
luck! Bring good fortune to yourself with this lion mask.
Lion
Mask - - The Lion
Dance is performed during the Lantern Festival with performers
wearing Lion Masks at the end of Chinese New Year. Lion's are
believed to bring good luck and scare away evil spirits.
Lucky
Garland - - There are
two stages to making this lovely garland to hang in your doorway. The
first stage is great for young kids. Older children will enjoy
progressing the craft further and having a go at drawing the Chinese
symbol for good luck known as fu.
Luck
Lantern - - Put this luck lantern on your table on the night of the first new
moon of the Chinese New Year to bring your family good luck.
Mini
Chinese Lantern Chain - - This mini
Chinese Lantern Chain is very quick and easy for kids to make, and as
you can see from our photo, it looks absolutely spectacular! A great
way to brighten up your home or classroom for Chinese New Year!
New
Year's Noisemakers - - This New
Year's, make a few items that create a festive mood without deafening
the adults.
Ni-Hao,
Kai-Lan Paper Lantern - - Create
and decorate this Ni
Hao, Kai-lan paper lantern. Print out several copies and make a chain of lanterns.
Old
Chinese Scrolls - - Chinese art is one of the oldest in the world. Depictions of
nature, temples, blossoms and everyday life are beautifully painted
in scrolls. Create your own Chinese scroll painting and make it look
realistically ancient.
Origami
Carp Kite - - Goldfish
are a symbol of prosperity for the Chinese and you can adapt the
traditional carp kite by folding it with orange paper. Fill it with
little sweets or gold coins for a special Gift !
Origami
Fan - - Here is a
cute little origami fan to fold for dolls, teddy bears, or just for
decoration. And of course you can make it with a bigger piece of
paper so that you can use it yourself. Use patterned paper or ask the
children to decorate a plain piece before they fold it. You will need
scissors and a short length of wool (yarn), cotton or cord.
Origami
Goldfish : Fish in the Ocean Crafts - This cute little goldfish is
easy to fold and fun to display or use to make a greetings card,
mobile, bookmark or Chinese New Year charm (goldfish are thought to
be lucky by the Chinese). You could make a few and create your own
goldfish bowl collage or picture - or mix them with some other origami
fish - to make your own
aquarium.
Ox
Bookmark - - 2009
is the Year of the Ox in Chinese lore. The Free Kids Crafts Team has
created this bookmark to help celebrate the 2009 Chinese New Year.
Ox
Mask - - Kids can
have fun making this Ox mask for Chinese New Year - it is simple,
effective and fun!
Ox
Pin or Magnet - - There are
12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. One of them is the ox. Make this
cute ox pin to wear, or put a magnet on it and hang it on the
fridge.
Paper
Chinese Yo-Yo - - This
really works! Make it from wrapping paper and a dowel.
Paper
Cup Ox - - Celebrate
the Year of the Ox with this cute paper cup and ball craft! Fun to
paint and assemble, this kids craft is good to display for Chinese
New Year.
Papercuts - -
Papercuts are an exquisite folk art form that has been around a long
time. Very thin rice paper is cut and pasted together to create
delicate finished pieces. Some of the earliest papercuts found in
China date back to AD 386-581. There are a myriad of patterns:
dragons, pandas, birds, people, landscapes, just about anything you
can imagine. In the household, typically women and girls make the
papercuts. As with most art there are several ways to execute the
craft.
Paper
Dragons : Crepe Paper Crafts Activities for Children - Fire up your Chinese New Year
Parade with this easy, colorful paper dragon for kids.
Paper-mâché
Chinese Dragon’s Head - – Form a dance group for the Chinese New Year dragon dance and
create your own Chinese dragon’s head using our easy to follow
guide.
Pig
iPod Cozy - - Help celebrate the Chinese New Year, "Year of the Pig" by
making this cute pig iPod cozy from recycle felted sweaters. So cute!
Plaster and Paper Mache Dragon Mask - So even though this is large, completely pointless, and takes up space, it's probably one of my favorite things I've ever made. It's a dragon mask made of a motorcycle helmet, paper mache, and those plaster bandages. The teeth are made of clay, and they glow in the dark, as well as the eyes. The model is my beautiful roommate, Lauren (thanks buddy!)
Paper
Plate Ox - - Here's a
fun way to make an Ox for this Chinese New Year! This ox makes a
super wall display. You could mount him onto a large piece of red
paper, as red is a lucky Chinese color.
Plum
Blossoms - - These
pretty plum blossoms make great project for spring or Chinese New Year. Plum blossoms are considered a symbol for courage
and hope.
Pretend
Paper - - Loud
blasts from firecrackers scare both human and other creatures alike
for Lunar New Year, Independence Day, and other celebrations. Just
the sight of a bright string of pretend firecrackers can set a
festive mood for holiday fun.
Pull-Along
Dragon Toy - - Create this dragon pull-along toy out of paper cups- a great craft
for learning about Chinese culture or celebrating Chinese New Year.
Racing
Dragon Boat Puppets - - Hold
an ancient Chinese competition in your own living room with colorful
Dragon Boat stick puppets.
Recycled
Box Dragon - - Light
a fire under your kids by encouraging them to create imaginary
creatures with recycled boxes. Pretend playtime will be almost
magical with this dragon.
Red
Envelopes - -
It is
common for children during Chinese New Yearto receive a red envelope
containing money as a Gift from family members. Make your own red
envelope and decorate it with good luck symbols!
Red
packet lantern - - An
important part of Chinese New Year celebrations is the handing out of
small red envelopes, known as red
packets, from
older (married) members of the family to the younger (unmarried)
ones.
Rice
Paper Lantern - - Paper lantern flourished since the 2nd century in China. Delighted
by its beauty, the Chinese devoted their second most important
holiday to the paper lantern - Lantern Festival. Covered with rice
paper and dressed in styles, the lanterns are still popular today in
illumination, decoration, and holiday celebration.
Salt
Dough Oranges - - Chinese New Year is upon us. In some areas of China it is customary to
present oranges to friends and relatives. In Chinese, the word
'orange' sounds like 'Ji', which translates to 'good luck'. A Gift of
oranges sends the message of good wishes for the coming year.
Shiny
lantern - - These
pretty lanterns are very simple and kids love how the lantern shape
appears as if by magic! We had red and gold sticky contact on hand
but if you don't you could try using thin card or even origami
paper.
Slithery
Snake - - Celebrate
the Chinese Year of the Snake and practice fine motor skills with
your children by creating this textured torn-paper serpent.
Sparkling
Dragon - - Celebrate
Chinese New Year with a magnificent dragon parade! Or design this
accordion-fold mythical creature to reenact fantasies.
Theater Crafts : How to Make Lion Mask Craft for Kids - Make a Lion Mask in this theatre craft that celebrates a Chinese New Year tradition. On the third day of the Chinese New Year the Lion Dance begins. Some people believe putting money in the lion's mouth will bring them luck! Why not try your own luck with this indoor craft?
Toilet
Roll Ox Craft - - This
is our favorite Year of the Ox craft! He's easy to make but so
effective - perfect for decorating the house for Chinese New Year
this year!
Wide Eyed Dragon - - Celebrate
Chinese New Year, or your favorite story, with this dramatic dragon!
