Happy New Year: 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)
This year Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) is a 15 day festival that begins in late January or early February. Click HERE to learn when it is this year. Chinese New Year is the beginning of the Chinese calendar and is also known as the Spring Festival. Each year there is a different animal celebrated. Click HERE to find out which animal is being celebrated this year.
This 15 day festival can be a great time for your family to learn about the Chinese culture, the traditions associated with this festival and have a little bit of fun. Here are some fun things you and your family can do to learn about and celebrate Chinese New Year.
- CLICK Here to find out what your Chinese Zodiac symbol is (we are snakes, a dog and ox over here)
- CLICK HERE for ideas for a craft projects for Chinese New Year. You can make some fun decorations together and plan a Chinese New Year Feast. Red is the color of Chinese New Year and it is thought to bring luck.
- Make Chinese food together or order take-out from your favorite restaurant. Dumplings are eaten every day during the festival.
- Find a local Chinese New Year celebration. People from all over the world celebrate this festival and there are many events here in the USA. Check out your local art museum or go to your closest China Town. We went to a dragon dance a few years ago at our local art museum and it was beautiful.
Books for Chinese New Year
From the publisher: “When her Chinese grandmother comes to visit, a young Chinese-American girl learns of and participates in the customs and beliefs celebrating an authentic Chinese New Year.”
From the publisher: “In this picture book celebrating Chinese New Year, animals from the Chinese zodiac help a little girl deliver a gift to her grandmother.Ruby has a special card to give to her grandmother for Chinese New Year. But who will help her get to grandmother’s house to deliver it? Will it be clever Rat, strong Ox, or cautious Rabbit? Ruby meets each of the twelve zodiac animals on her journey. This picture book includes back matter with a focus on the animals of the Chinese zodiac.”
From the publisher: “When a boy goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok instead, his parents wonder what they’ll eat for dinner. But then the wok rolls out of the poor family’s house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! and returns from the rich man’s home with a feast in tow! With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story reminds readers about the importance of generosity.”
Kids in Service 