Easy Lunar New Year Crafts for Kids

happy children sitting under red paper lanterns and chinese new year decorations

Making New Year decorations with your children is a fun way to bond and learn about Chinese culture. You don’t have to be a DIY master, you just need to know one simple technique—the accordion fold! When I was thinking of craft ideas to do with my then 3-year-old, I remembered many of the projects I made growing up starting with folding and cutting paper. I’ve put together this list of easy Lunar New Year crafts, most tutorials are based on the simple accordion fold.

Get ready for the Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, Tết, and Spring Festival with these fun and easy craft ideas!

Easy Lunar New Year Crafts

Telescoping Lunar New Year Dragon

This is a more hands-on activity but a great way to spend a day crafting and chomping with your finished dragon.

Color your Year of the Dragon Photo Frame

Get this file and add your creative flare to complete this photo frame to decorate your room for the Year of the Dragon

child holding Chinese New Year dragon decoration made out of red envelopes

Red Envelope Dragon Decoration

Make this red envelope dragon out of red envelopes. It’s a fun and beautiful way to decorate your home for this festive holiday.

dragon pop up card

Dragon Pop Up Card

This adorable baby dragon has a fun surprise inside! Practice coloring, cutting, and origami skills.

Chinese New Year Paper Lantern decorations Craft

Red Envelope Lanterns Wall Decoration

These lanterns are easy to make and can be strung together to make a banner to decorate your mantle or wall.

Double Fish Chinese New Year Decoration

In Chinese culture, fish symbolize an abundance of wealth and good luck. This easy DIY craft will delight your fish-loving child.

image credit: Dotlinecurve.com

Dragon Character Worksheet (Free)

Print this beautifully designed worksheet and learn how to write the Chinese character for dragon.

Red Envelope Printables (Free)

Download these free Bitty Bao red envelope printables for the Year of the Dragon. Kids can color and customize these red envelopes for friends and relatives.

Fish Money Holder

Origami Fish Money Holder

Make these lucky fish to hold gold $1 coins, or use larger paper for standard bills.

image credit: Ms Claudia Lee Kimura

Cardboard Lion Dance Heads

Make this fun wearable lion dance head to wear for your Lunar New Year festival.

Fan Lantern Wall Art

What a clever way to make a lantern decoration. This design is simple yet adds a new dimension to your Lunar New Year decor.

Chinese New Year Ornament

The possibilities are endless with this accordion fold fan. Just decorate with any design or symbol of your choice.


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