Lesson Plan: Lunar Chinese New Year – Language, Culture, and Fun for Kids

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Objective:

Introduce young learners to the basics of the Lunar Chinese New Year, including its traditions, vocabulary, and simple Mandarin phrases, while fostering an appreciation for Chinese culture.


What You’ll Need:

  • Red envelopes (real or DIY with red paper)
  • Gold chocolate coins or stickers
  • Paper and markers for crafts
  • A projector or laptop to show videos
  • Printable vocabulary flashcards (I’ll provide the word list below)
  • A basic map of China to show where these traditions originated

Lesson Plan Outline:

  1. Introduction (5 minutes) Start by asking, “Who knows what Chinese New Year is?” Gather responses, then explain:
    • Chinese New Year (春节, Chūn Jié) is also called the Lunar New Year because it follows the moon’s calendar.
    • It’s the most important holiday in China and many other Asian countries.
    • Every year is represented by an animal from the Chinese zodiac (this year is [insert the zodiac animal based on the year you’re teaching]).
    • Fun fact: It lasts for 15 days, and people celebrate with food, family, and fireworks!

  1. Vocabulary Time! (10 minutes)
    Teach these simple Mandarin words and phrases (kids LOVE trying out new sounds—make it fun and interactive):
EnglishMandarin (Pinyin)Pronunciation Tips
Hello你好 (Nǐ hǎo)Knee-how
Happy New Year新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè)Sheen-nyehn-kwai-luh
Red envelope红包 (Hóng bāo)Hong-bao
Fireworks烟花 (Yān huā)Yan-hwa
Dragon龙 (Lóng)Long (like the word “long”)
Family Dinner团圆饭 (Tuán yuán fàn)Twahn-ywen-fahn

Activity: Hold up flashcards with the Chinese characters and pictures (like a red envelope or a dragon). Practice saying the words together. Reward participation with stickers or gold chocolate coins.

PS – you can download some Chinese New Year worksheets for kids from StudyCat.


  1. Cultural Story Time (10 minutes)
    Share the legend of Nian (年):
    • Long ago, a monster called Nian would scare villages every New Year’s Eve.
    • The villagers discovered Nian was afraid of the color red, loud noises, and fire. That’s why people wear red, light fireworks, and hang red lanterns during the Lunar New Year.
    • Ask: “What would YOU do to scare away a monster?”
    Optional: Show a short animated video about the legend on YouTube (there are plenty of kid-friendly ones, like from CBeebies or China Highlights).

  1. Hands-On Craft: Make Red Envelopes (15 minutes)
    Explain the tradition:
    • Kids get red envelopes filled with money during Chinese New Year as a wish for good luck and prosperity.
    • Show a real red envelope (if you have one) and pass it around.
    Craft:
    • Provide red paper, markers, and stickers (gold stars, dragons, or firecrackers).
    • Help kids write the Chinese character 福 (, meaning “good fortune”) on their envelopes.
    • Let them decorate with drawings or patterns.
    Fun Twist: After making their envelopes, give each child a gold chocolate coin or sticker to put inside and “gift” it to a friend or family member.

  1. Let’s Move: Lunar New Year Parade (10 minutes)
    Kids LOVE parades, so create your own mini one:
    • Assign roles: some kids can carry red lanterns (use craft ones if you’ve made them), others can wave ribbons, and one can be the head of the dragon.
    • Play traditional Chinese music (search “Lunar New Year music” on YouTube) as they parade around the classroom.

  1. Wrap-Up Game: Chinese New Year Bingo (10 minutes)
    Create simple Bingo cards with pictures of firecrackers, red envelopes, dumplings, dragons, etc.
    • Call out the items in Mandarin AND English.
    • First to get Bingo wins a small Lunar New Year prize (like a sticker or an extra chocolate coin).

Bonus Ideas:

  1. Taste Test (Optional): Bring in small samples of Lunar New Year foods like dumplings (jiǎo zi), mandarin oranges, or rice cakes (nián gāo). Explain their symbolic meanings:
    • Dumplings = Wealth
    • Oranges = Good luck
    • Rice cakes = Growth and progress
  2. Chinese Zodiac Fun:
    • Print a zodiac animal chart and let kids find their animal based on their birth year.
    • Share simple personality traits associated with each animal. For example, “If you’re born in the Year of the Tiger, you’re brave!”

Take-Home Activity:

Send home a printable worksheet with:

  • The vocabulary words they learned (with pictures).
  • A blank red envelope template for them to decorate at home.
  • A coloring page of a dragon or lantern.

    You can grab these Lunar New Year Worksheets.

Why This Lesson Works:

  • Interactive: Kids learn best when they’re involved—crafts, parades, and games make the experience memorable.
  • Cultural Appreciation: It’s a great way to introduce kids to diversity and teach them to respect other traditions.
  • Language Exposure: Even if they don’t master the Mandarin phrases, they’ll remember the fun of learning something new.

Happy Lunar New Year (新年快乐)! 🎉✨

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