Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon!
January 23, 2012 is the Chinese New Year. To celebrate, I have decided to use the occasion to teach my children about China, their culture, the holiday, and dragons. Along with watching various related Youtube clips, we will be doing lots of holiday crafts that I will be posting here, so be sure to check in regularly for new ideas! Happy New Year!
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| Chinese New Year Paper Dragon Puppet Supplies |
Supplies:
Construction Paper
Sticks
Markers
Tape
Scissors
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| The kids showing off their paper dragons! |
Fold a sheet of construction paper lengthwise and cut in half. Fold the cut piece accordion-style. Cut out a dragon head and tail piece from a different piece of construction paper. Color on details. Tape on the head, tail, and sticks. Have fun putting on your own puppet show or dancing with your puppets!
* I was uncertain as to how my kids would do with the folding as they are only 3 and 4. I was pleasantly surprised - they did a great job!
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| Chinese New Year Paper Lantern Supplies |
Paper Lanterns:
Supplies:
Construction Paper
Scissors
Stapler (or tape or glue)
Optional: string, LED candle, or tea light in a jar
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| Cut strips along the fold - but don't cut them off! |
Fold a piece of construction paper lengthwise. Cut strips in it starting at the fold and going upwards, but do not cut all the wall through (see picture of my daughter at left). After cutting, open the paper and wrap it into a cylinder shape, stapling the two ends to create your lantern. Cut a 1" thick X 6" long strip of paper and attach it as a handle (see picture of my son below).
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| Staple together the sides and handle |
When your lantern is complete, you can leave it as is, hang multiple lanterns on a string for decoration, or place a tea light or LED tea light in one (I put my tea light in a baby food jar just to be safe). Now you have beautiful decorations for your Chinese New Year Party!
*The only part my kids seems to have any trouble with was cutting the strips long enough (their safety scissors made it difficult). I also lined up the stapler for them and they squeezed. :)
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| Place over a candle on a table for atmosphere |
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| Hang on a string for a colorful decoration |
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