February 19th is the official start of the Chinese New Year for the 2015 calendar. During Chinese New Year, a great deal of celebrations, customs, and special meals take place. You can enjoy some of these customs in your own home all while spending little money and time. If you are unsure about where to begin, take a look below at 10 ways to celebrate Chinese New Year with children, so you can make this time of year a fun and educational experience for them!
10 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year with Children
1. Explore the Chinese Zodiac calendar.
Each year, the Chinese name the new year after a specific animal. 2015 has been named the year of the goat or sheep. Next year, the year will be named after the next animal in the cycle. Explore the Chinese zodiac calendar to see what the animal of the year was for the year you were born or celebrated various milestones. In Chinese custom the animal that resembles the year you were born can say a lot about your personality traits.
2. Gift each other red envelopes.
During Chinese New Year, families give their children red envelopes for good luck. The envelopes are often filled with money or treats of some sort. You can find red envelopes at the store, or make your own out of red scrapbook paper. Pass out to each family member to bring them luck in the year.
3. Have a dragon parade.
The dragon is also a symbol of luck and strength in the new year. Give each child a box they can decorate as a dragon using craft paper, streamers, and ribbon. Once your dragons are created, turn on some traditional Chinese music and parade around the home.
4. Sweep the floors.
During Chinese New Year, families take brooms and sweep the floors in order to sweep all bad luck and energy outdoors. This is a fun activity to try with your family while getting the floors clean at the same time! Let children decorate a broom and start sweeping away bad luck.
5. Enjoy a family feast.
Have a feast enjoying traditional Chinese foods such as fried rice, noodles, stir fry veggies, egg rolls, and of course, fortune cookies. Use chopsticks if you are so inclined.
6. Learn some traditional Chinese phrases.
Head to your local library to learn some traditional Chinese phrases, or look them up online. Some websites even have recordings of the phrases that you can listen to, like this site.
7. Make some noise.
During New Year parades, the Chinese make lots of loud noises to chase bad luck and spirits away. You can do the same by getting out gongs, bells, whistles, and other instruments you may have to make noise and chase bad luck far away!
8. Enjoy some fireworks.
Fireworks play a huge roll in Chinese New Year parades. See if there is a local display happening in your town, or, even simple party poppers or sparklers can be fun to try.
9. Read some children’s stories.
Head to the library for children’s books on Chinese New Year. You will find a huge assortment of stories told from a children’s perspective.
10. Bring out the bright colors.
Colors play a huge part in Chinese New Year as well. Bring out colorful lanterns and banners (found at most party supply stores) and decorate the home for some real New Year’s celebrations!
Chinese New Year is an important part of Chinese culture, and a holiday worth exploring with your family. Give these tips for teaching children about Chinese New Year a try and see how much fun you can have!
Leave a Reply