Monday, January 23, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year

Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year 2012. This is the year of the dragon. In celebration, we will be making Chinese dragons.



The template for the dragon head can be found here. Just print the dragon head on white card stock, and let the kids color and cut it out. Markers or crayons work really well. If you can find a book on the Chinese New Year or dragon dance, the kids will enjoy seeing pictures and deciding what color they want their dragon to be.


After the kids have finished coloring and cutting out their dragon head, tape a large craft stick to the back. Then add glitter. You can also embellish with crepe paper streamers. Various options for the eyes include:
  • marker or crayon
  • googly eyes
  • cut out the eyes to make a mask
  • glitter

To round out your Chinese New Year festivities, do the dragon dance, have a dragon parade, eat fortune or almond cookies, drink Chinese tea, listen to Chinese music, read a book, or teach the kids their Chinese zodiac animal signs.

Chinese lantern craft (Kaboose): Card stock works really well for this craft especially if you have colored card stock. If not, use construction paper.

Dragon dance music (found on Amazon): I like this one because it can be used as background music for your parade or you can get out the rhythm sticks and let the kids tap out the rhythm.

Chinese New Year books:
Celebrating Chinese New Year - Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year - Kate Waters
A New Year's Reunion - Yu Li-Qiong

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