Learn About Chinese New Year

Ancient Chinese legends tell of the Nian, a man-eating beast from the mountains which came out every winter to feast on humans. To scare the Nian away, the people used loud noises such as firecrackers and fireworks, and bright colors, particularly red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations.

Chinese firecrackers hanging in a bunch

Chinese firecracker craft NEW!
It used to be traditional to set off firecrackers at Chinese New Year, to see off the old year and welcome in the new. Here is an idea to make your own Chinese firecracker decorations.

Getting Ready for Chinese New Year

In the run up to Chinese New Year, homes are spring-cleaned thoroughly so that all the bad luck of the previous year is swept away (and on the first day of the new year, brooms and dustpans are put away and never used in case the good luck of the new year is swept away!) Often houses are freshly painted. Traditional Chinese homes sometimes get a new coat of red paint, as red is a particularly lucky color. Homes are decorated with paper-cuts.

Year of the ox paper-cut

Make your own Chinese Paper Cut Craft  NEW!

Chinese couplets

Also used to decorate homes are Chinese couplets. These are two tall posters, usually consisting of 4 Chinese characters each (as eight is a lucky number), which are hung on either side of the front door. The couplets express traditional good wishes for the year ahead.
 

Chinese New Year Traditions

Lucky Money:

At Chinese New Year parents, family and friends give money to children in red envelopes. The red color symbolizes good luck, and the amount of money can be anything from a small coin to a larger amount. Lucky money envelopes are also known as Red Packets or Red Envelopes.

Lucky money envelopes

Make a red envelope for Chinese New Year NEW!
The Chinese give gifts of money to children at Chinese New Year. Make your own "lucky money envelope" with this simple but effective craft idea.

Print and fold your own Lucky Money Envelopes (3 designs)
Printable Lucky Money Envelopes NEW!

The Chinese Zodiac

You can find out all about the Chinese Zodiac, its 12 animal years and the character traits of those born into each of the years as well as enjoy our Chinese Zodiac crafts and printables here:
The Chinese Zodiac

Learn More About China!

China for Kids

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