Chinese New Year is a time of joy, celebration, and family togetherness. It’s the perfect occasion to introduce your little ones to a rich cultural tradition while encouraging their creativity. At Sorella Early Learning, we believe in fostering hands-on learning experiences, and what better way to do this than through festive crafts? Here are some simple and fun DIY Chinese New Year decorations you can make with your children.

Traditional Chinese paper lanterns are a symbol of celebration and good fortune. To make these, take a piece of red construction paper and fold it in half lengthwise. Cut slits along the folded edge, stopping about an inch from the edge. Unfold the paper and decorate it with gold glitter or markers. Form the paper into a cylinder and secure the edges with glue or tape. Add a handle with a strip of paper and hang your lanterns around the house.

Red envelopes, or “hongbao,” are traditionally given during Chinese New Year to symbolise good luck. You can turn these into a decorative garland by decorating small red envelopes with gold stickers or drawing Chinese characters for luck. Attach the envelopes to a string or ribbon using tape, then hang the garland across a wall or doorway for a festive touch.

Dragons are iconic in Chinese culture, representing strength and good fortune. To create a dragon puppet, cut out shapes for the dragon’s head, tail, and body segments using red, yellow, and green cardstock. Decorate the pieces with markers, crayons, or additional paper cutouts, then glue the body segments together to form a long dragon. Attach the dragon to popsicle sticks to create a puppet, perfect for a Chinese New Year parade.

Cherry blossoms symbolise renewal and beauty, making them a lovely decoration for the New Year. To make your own, tear pink tissue paper into small squares and twist them into flower shapes. Glue these onto bare branches, either real or artificial, and display your cherry blossom branches in a vase for a beautiful and meaningful decoration.

Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal from the zodiac, and making an animal mask can be a fun way to celebrate. Decorate a paper plate to resemble the zodiac animal for the year, then cut out eye holes and attach string to either side of the plate to secure it as a mask. This is a creative activity that can help children learn about the zodiac while enjoying the festivities.

Engaging in DIY crafts with your children helps build fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and fosters an appreciation for cultural traditions. At Sorella Early Learning, we aim to inspire curiosity and understanding through hands-on learning. Celebrate this Chinese New Year with these delightful crafts and bring the spirit of the holiday into your home. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #SorellaCrafts. Wishing you a year full of happiness, prosperity, and creativity!

Gōngxǒ Fācái! (Wishing you wealth and prosperity!)