My daughter was born in Hong Kong and Chinese New Year is one of her favorite holidays. I scoured the internet to find her some fun and free Chinese New Year printables and am sharing are our favorites here with you.
Zodiac Calendar By Nick Jr.
Thanks to Kai-lan, most young kids now know how to say “hello” in Mandarin. Nick Jr. used to offer adorable Chinese New Year printables but I regret that they’ve taken them down. Here is another Kai-lan printable.
See also: Year of the Golden Pig, an especially auspicious year if your baby was born between February 18, 2007 and February 6, 2008.
Chinese New Year Animal Worksheets
Send kids on a little fact-finding mission by printing these 12 worksheets, one for each zodiac sign. They’ll answer questions related to diet, appearance, habitat and behaviors of each animal (or dragon). My kindergartener needs help with these, but has been quietly working on them for an hour this morning. Download the Chinese New Year animal worksheets.
Learn To Write Numbers In Chinese
Though not directly related to Chinese New Year, this printable shows kids how to write the numbers 1-10 in Chinese. Trust me, it takes practice! Download Chinese numbers.
Chinese New Year Zodiac Masks
Though 2016 is Year of the Monkey, it might be fun to print out a mask corresponding to the year each child was born in. Remember that late January and February babies require a bit of research because the date of Lunar New Year changes based on the lunar calendar. For example, a baby born on February 1, 2013 is a Year of the Dragon baby, not a Year of the Snake baby. Download zodiac masks (you will need to sign in to Education.com to download but the masks are free).
Chinese New Year Word Search
My daughter loves word searches so this printable is a hit. Download Chinese New Year word search. Popping “Chinese New Year word search” into Google will yield other options.
Playdough Mats
It’s probably better if you laminate these or place them under secured Saran Wrap but I think Lunar New Year playdough mats are a cute idea. You could have kids make playdough in the shape of each zodiac sign’s Chinese character and more. Download playdough mats.
See also: Homemade playdough recipes
DIY Red Envelopes
Red envelopes are pretty inexpensive even in the U.S., but there are options if you want to make them. Try Martha Stewart’s envelope template, or this adorable red envelope template with lanterns. Just print them on red paper (unlike what I did above)!
See also: The significance of a Lai See or Hong Bao (red envelope).
Kai-lan’s Cleaning List
This printable had absolutely no impact on my daughter’s willingness to clean, but it’s cute nonetheless. It is very important in both Chinese and Japanese New Year celebrations to start the year with a clean house–out with the old and in with the new.
Go ahead and explain to your young children that Kai-lan and her family will be cleaning and organizing their home from top to bottom. Print Kai-lan’s cleaning list and see if they buy it. Good luck.
Blank Zodiac Animal Writing Sheets
Give kids the creativity to write what they’d like on a blank, lined sheet of paper featuring the year’s zodiac animal. Download blank zodiac writing sheets.
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And, learn the history, legends and traditions surrounding Chinese New Year food and what’s being served at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Asia. If you are traveling to Hong Kong with kids, I have a wealth of information about things to do.
Do you have a favorite Chinese New Year Printable? Please share!
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).