Chinese New Year

Celebrate Chinese New Year with fun, hands on activities for children! Our EYFS-friendly resources include crafts, role-play props, sensory activities, and classroom displays to bring the Spring Festival to life in your nursery or classroom. Perfect for Reception, KS1, and early years settings, these activities engage children while supporting EYFS learning outcomes.

Many of our Chinese New Year resources are designed to support play-based learning. Popular options include:

Explore Our Chinese New Year Resources

Whether you’re planning a one-day celebration or a themed learning week, our resources make it easy to introduce children to Chinese New Year traditions whilse supporting creativity, teamwork, and cultural awareness.

If you're looking for interesting and engaging ways to incorporate this festival within the areas of learning we recommend you to read our blog 9 activity ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year. 

Chinese New Year
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What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year — also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival — is a vibrant celebration marking the start of the lunar calendar. Celebrations traditionally include parades, lanterns, dragon dances, family feasts, and the exchange of lucky envelopes. Each year is represented by an animal from the Chinese Zodiac, such as the Dragon, Rabbit, or Snake, and celebrations can last up to 15 days.

In EYFS, exploring Chinese New Year helps children learn about traditions, stories, and family customs in a fun and meaningful way. Activities often include dragon dancing, lantern-making, tasting traditional foods, and sharing folktales.

Why Celebrate Chinese New Year in Early Years Settings?

Celebrating Chinese New Year is a valuable opportunity to teach children about cultural diversity and develop respect, curiosity, and global awareness. This festival supports a range of EYFS learning areas, including:

Understanding the World

Learning about different cultures and celebrations

Expressive Arts & Design

Crafting dragons, lanterns, and role-play props

Communication & Language

Sharing stories, songs, and new vocabulary

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Working together, sharing, and understanding similarities and differences.

These hands-on experiences are ideal for nurseries, preschools, Reception, and KS1 classrooms.

Year of the Horse

Each lunar year celebrates a new Zodiac animal. This year we celebrate the Year of the Horse (2026) - a symbol of freedom, independence and energy.

FAQs

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, or Lunar New year, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. It is celebrated with parades, lanterns, feasts, and family traditions.

What EYFS skills does Chinese New Year support?

Celebrating the festival supports understanding the world, expressive arts, communication skills, teamwork, and social development.

What are some Chinese New Year activities for preschool or Reception?

Popular activities include lantern-making, dragon dancing, sensory food play, storytelling, and role-play in themed areas. 

Is Chinese New Year the same as Lunar New Year?

Yes. Lunar New Year is a broader term covering celebrations across East Asian communities, including Chinese New Year.

What resources do I need to celebrate in the classroom?

Craft supplies, decorations, red envelopes, storybooks, and role-play items are ideal for themed learning.

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