🧧 14 Chinese New Year Crafts For Kids

Ready to turn the kitchen table into a mini craft studio and maybe a confetti explosion zone? These kid-friendly projects are big on color, light on mess, and sneaky about teaching culture. Grab some paper, glue, and a snack bribe. Let’s craft our way into good luck and giggles.

1. Paper Lantern Parade

Instant glow-up with classic paper lanterns. Kids fold, snip, and tape their way to festive decor in minutes. Add handles and hang them like a tiny parade at home.

• Materials colored paper, scissors, tape or glue, markers
• Skills cutting, folding, hand-eye coordination

Pro tip glue a strip of gold paper on top and bottom for a luxe look. This one works because it’s simple, fast, and crazy satisfying to display.

2. Lucky Red Envelopes

Hongbao magic minus the money negotiations. Kids design their own envelopes and tuck in sweet notes or stickers.

• Materials red paper, gold pens, stickers, washi tape
• Icons write 福 for good fortune or draw cute coins

Pro tip use a glue stick on the flap and a heart sticker as a seal. It works because it blends cultural tradition with personalized flair.

3. Zodiac Animal Masks

Pick your zodiac and become it instantly. Paper plates turn into dragons, rabbits, or tigers with a few snips.

• Materials paper plates, paint or crayons, yarn, craft sticks
• Learning talk about the 12-year zodiac cycle

Pro tip add felt ears and a yarn mane for texture. It works because kids love dress-up and storytelling.

4. Firecracker Garland

All the pop, none of the noise. Roll red paper into mini tubes and string them up for instant party vibes.

• Materials red paper, gold tape, string, tissue paper
• Look alternate sizes for a dynamic garland

Pro tip stuff the ends with tissue for that faux-crackle finish. It works because it brings bold color and tradition to any doorway.

5. Dragon Puppet

Bring the parade to your couch. A folded-paper body and a showy head make a wiggly dragon that dances on command.

• Materials cardstock, accordion-folded paper, googly eyes, craft sticks
• Motion the accordion body makes it sway and slither

Pro tip add bottle-cap clackers for sound. It works because puppets turn crafts into instant playtime.

6. Paper Blossom Branches

Peach or plum blossoms without the watering schedule. Tissue flowers on twigs = elegant centerpiece.

• Materials twigs, pink tissue, green tape, glue
• Symbolism blossoms mean growth and fresh starts

Pro tip scrunch tiny tissue layers for fluffy petals. It works because kids get texture and adults get pretty decor.

7. Fortune Fish Mobiles

Year of abundance, coming right up. Paper fish hang from hoops to float over a table or window.

• Materials red cardstock, markers, string, embroidery hoop
• Details add scales with metallic pens

Pro tip balance fish at different lengths for movement. It works because it’s kinetic, symbolic, and mesmerizing.

8. Chopstick Stamp Art

Who knew chopsticks double as art tools. Kids dip the ends in paint to make dot patterns and fireworks.

• Materials chopsticks, paint, cardstock, paper plates
• Fine motor controlled stamping patterns

Pro tip use two colors per stamp for layered bursts. It works because it’s low-mess and high-impact.

9. Gold Coin Sun Catchers

Shiny luck that sticks to your windows. Layer tissue inside clear contact paper and cut into coin shapes.

• Materials gold tissue, contact paper, ribbon
• Finish outline edges with black marker for definition

Pro tip add a square hole in the center like ancient coins. It works because sunlight makes them glow like treasure.

10. Auspicious Word Banners

Let the walls talk. Create mini banners with words like 福 luck and 春 spring.

• Materials red cardstock, gold paint, twine, mini clothespins
• Practice trace characters lightly before painting

Pro tip hang one character per card for graphic impact. It works because it blends language learning with design.

11. Tangerine Pom Craft

Symbol of good fortune, but fluffier. Orange pom-poms turn into lucky tangerines with felt leaves.

• Materials orange yarn, fork or pom maker, green felt
• STEM talk about patterns while wrapping

Pro tip tie two poms together to make a duo gift. It works because it’s tactile, cute, and giftable.

12. Red Knot Bracelets

Wearable luck. Simple cord knots become friendship-style bracelets with meaning.

• Materials red cord, beads, tape to hold ends
• Skill practice square knots or sliding knots

Pro tip add a single gold bead as a focal charm. It works because kids get proud every time they wear it.

13. Good Fortune Tree

A wish tree you can actually make at the table. Kids write hopes on tags and hang them on a branch.

• Materials branch, vase, red tags, gold pens, ribbon
• Mindful encourages reflection and gratitude

Pro tip add jingle bells for a gentle chime. It works because it becomes a family ritual centerpiece.

14. Noodle Art Zodiac

Pasta, but make it cultural. Glue dry noodles into zodiac shapes, then paint them bold red and gold.

• Materials assorted pasta, cardboard, glue, paint
• Sensory crunchy textures kids love to arrange

Pro tip outline shapes in pencil first for easy filling. It works because it’s budget-friendly and wildly tactile.

Conclusion

There you go—14 low-fuss, high-smile ways to celebrate with color, meaning, and a tiny sprinkle of chaos. These crafts spark creativity, share tradition, and turn kids into proud decorators. Now clear the table, pass the snacks, and let the good luck roll in.