January 22, 2023 marks a very special occasion for people all over the world: the start of the Lunar New Year! While many refer to the holiday as the Chinese New Year, it’s actually celebrated by lots of different Asian communities and goes by plenty of different names, such as Tết in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, and Losar in Tibet. 

Looking to get into the Lunar New Year spirit but don’t know how? Here are 4 simple and fun activities you can do with your fam to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

Lucky Rabbit Lanterns

The Lunar New Year also begins a new year in the Chinese zodiac, where each year in a 12-year cycle is represented by a different animal. This year is the Year of the Rabbit! The rabbit symbolizes patience and peace. Follow the directions or check out the pic above to make a rabbit-inspired paper lantern, then stick an electric tea light in it to create some real zen in your home. 

Suggested Materials:

Construction paper 

Scissors 

Markers, crayons, or pencils

Googly eyes

Pipe cleaners 

Glue or tape 

Instructions

1. Fold paper in half, lengthwise.

2. Starting from the folded edge, cut a straight line about an inch from one short edge up towards the open edges of the fold. Be sure not to cut all the way up though! Continue to make these cuts about an inch apart until you reach the other end of the paper. 

3. Unfold the paper and decorate the lantern using markers or crayons. Since it’s the year of the rabbit, feel free to add some funny bunny features such as whiskers, googly eyes, or a puffy tail! 

4. To assemble the lantern, tape the long ends of the paper together to join the sides together in a circle

5. Using a long strip of paper or a pipe cleaner, create a handle and secure at the top of your lantern. 

Tissue Paper Trees

Not only do blossoming trees welcome the beginning of spring, they also symbolize happiness, hope, and protection for the year to come. A common decoration for the Lunar New Year are fragrant, flowering branches from apricot, peach, plum, and cherry trees. If you’re looking for a quick craft to get into the spirit of the Lunar New Year, this is it! Your kiddos can whip up this blossom-inspired decor in just minutes! 

Suggested Materials:

Pipe cleaners 

Markers or crayons 

Tissue paper 

Scissors 

Glue or tape 

Construction paper

Instructions:

1. Twist, bend, and twirl pipe cleaners to create tree branch shapes. 

2. Cut or tear small squares of tissue paper or construction paper, about 2-3” Feel free to use different colors of paper to represent different types of blossoming trees, such as pink for cherry and peach blossoms, or white for apricot and apple blossoms!

3. Crunch and crinkle up your paper to create pretend-blossoms.

4. Using tape or glue, attach your blossoms to the pipe cleaner branches.

5. Repeat to create a few of these, then stick them in a vase for a festive and fab centerpiece!

Dancing Dragon Puppets 

The dragon dance is a special performance often seen during the Chinese New

Year. During the dragon dance, highly skilled puppeteers bring a giant dragon puppet to life by raising and lowering its body using wooden poles. This performance is carefully choreographed in time to drums, and makes it seem like the dragon is flying! Follow the directions below to create your very own dancing dragon puppet, then have it fly to the rhythm of the beat! 

Suggested Materials: 

Construction paper 

Markers or crayons 

Scissors

Popsicle sticks 

Instructions: 

1. Cut construction paper into strips about 3-4 inches wide. This will be your dragon’s body. You only need one strip to create your puppet, but you can make an extra long dragon by taping or gluing multiple strips together. 

2. Color the body (long strip of paper) using markers or crayons. Try designing scales or any other magical dragon details!

3. Accordion/zig zag fold the strip of paper to create a winding dragon body.

4. Tape a popsicle stick on each end of the strip of paper.

5. Draw and cut out a fierce dragon head! Then, glue or tape the head onto one end of the puppet.

Fortuitous Fruit Salad

All that crafting make you hungry? Here’s a project you can eat! Eating and giving fruit is an important and beloved Lunar New Year tradition. In countries such as Vietnam, assembling trays of yummy fruit is an essential part of the New Year. While this tray (the Mam Ngu Qua, or Five Fruit Tray) may be filled with tasty-looking fruits, it is actually more of a decoration than a treat! Head to your local grocery store or farmer’s market and try to snag some of these fruits below to create a deliciously lucky fruit salad. 

Oranges, tangerines, or kumquats: represent good luck and happiness

Bananas: in a bunch, they symbolize family reunion and togetherness

Apples: represent wisdom and peace 

Dragon fruit: symbolize fortune 

Pineapple: represents luck

Coconut, mango, or papaya: stand for abundance and prosperity

Did you know that Curated Care works with residential buildings, schools and social clubs to bring cool events to students and families? We can help you host the perfect Lunar New Year bash! Reach out HERE for more info!