January 29th marks the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival. In China, this is a time to bring family together for celebration and honor their ancestors. Children can learn and be influenced by this unique and beautiful culture through some great craft activities and works of art. Check out some of our favorites!

Chinese Letters – Sensory Activity

Kids can learn the movement and meaning of Chinese letters with this sensory sand activity from Nurture Store. Use a sensory tray, sand, and construction paper to print the letters.

Chinese New Year Drums

We found this great craft idea from Gift of Curiosity! The pellet drum is a Chinese instrument called the Bolang Gu. When you turn the stick between your hands, the pellets make a musical sound against the drum heads.

Good Luck Ornament

This craft captures the essence of the Chinese culture using the symbol called “fu” which means good luck. A great activity for the classroom because you can hang them up! We found so many great versions of this craft including one from madewithhappy.com. 

Chinese Lanterns

A fun way to decorate for the Chinese New Year! Make your own festive lanterns like these ones from the Nurture Store. You will see lanterns like these in the Chinese festival, and they are red to symbolize good fortune.

Celebrating the Chinese Zodiac

2025 is the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes power, wisdom, intuition, and transformation in traditional Chinese culture. Here are some DIY crafts to help you celebrate the year of the snake! You are are Snake if you were born in 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and 2025 – this year!

Flexible Wooden Snake Craft Kit

Kids can paint these wooden snakes in life-like designs with the included paint and brushes. Snakes slither with a twist of the wrist! Pack 12 snakes with paint and brushes.

Paper Snake

This paper snake craft from RedTedArt.com is a cute and easy craft that the kids will love! You can customize each snake by changing up the colors and patterns.

Pipe Cleaner Snake

Combine a DIY craft and education with this pipe cleaner snake from RedTedArt.com. These pipe cleaner snakes can be used decoratively, as a fun little finger puppet snake, fun bookmarks or as a pencil topper!

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Try These Ideas from Previous Years

The Chinese Zodiac represents a unique set of traits through 12 honorable animals. Each Zodiac sign follows a 12-year cycle, featuring the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These animals originate from an ancient Chinese legend in which they raced to the Heavenly Gate. Their distinct qualities helped them overcome challenges during the race, and today, we celebrate them in the order they crossed the finish line.

Year of the Horse

(1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, try this Pony Latch Hook Kit.

Year of the Goat

(1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)

Year of the Monkey 

(1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)

Celebrate the Year of the Monkey than with this paper monkey craft from I Heart Crafty Things. This adorable monkey is made out of just a paper bag and paper plate.

Year of the Rooster

(1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)

What better way to celebrate the year of the rooster than with this paper craft from YP Lu. His video shows you step by step how to make either an elementary or intermediate rooster with a specific paper cutting technique.

Year of the Dog

(1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)

Decorate these Color-Me squishy dogs for your year of the Dog celebration. Each person can customize their own dog, this craft is perfect for any group.

Year of the Pig

(1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)

A fun idea for the Year of the Pig! We love these personalized ceramic piggy banks for kids to color? Our kit includes paint and brushes.

Year of the Rat

(1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032)

For the Year of the Rat, you can plan some fun and simple themed crafts! We love the printable templates from Holidappy, this cupcake liner mouse from I Heart Crafty Things, and this paper mouse from Red Ted Art.

Year of the Ox

(1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033)

Year of the Tiger 

(1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034)

For the Year of the Tiger, paint this Tiger Nature Scene Stain. This breathtaking piece is perfect to hang in the window.

Year of the Rabbit

(1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035)

Decorate a sweet rabbit with fabric markers. This Color-Me Rabbit is the perfect addition to your Year of the Rabbit celebration!

Year of the Dragon

(1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036)

Color-Me™ Cardboard Dragon Interactive Craft

Make this fun dragon craft that can open and close its mouth and “grows” longer! A fun craft that kids can enjoy putting together and decorating with paint or markers. Then they can enjoy imaginative play with their dragon!

DIY Paper Dragon Puppet 

These dragon puppet paper crafts are super fun to make. Kids will love creating their own character with different colors and expressions. Once the DIY dragon is assembled, it can be used as a puppet! This inspires imaginative and dramatic play. View the step by step tutorial here >

What is your favorite way to celebrate the Chinese New Year?

Check out some of our Chinese New Year items!