Chinese Lunar New Year Virtual Field Trip For Kids

Come and take a virtual tour of Chinese New Year for kids! Learn about the history and symbolism on this virtual field trip and be inspired with ways your family can celebrate the Lunar New Year– perfect for global education at home or for a homeschooling unit.

a collage graphic with Chinese New Year photos and a text graphic in the center — top picture: common items found at Chinese New Year celebrations, bottom picture: the head of a lion dance performer in costume, text reads cultural exploration for kids Chinese new year virtual field trip

What is the Lunar New Year?
Legends
Traditions
Celebrations
Symbols
Food
Books
Crafts
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Other Countries
- Vietnam
- Korea

Note for parents: Before you share with your children, listen to the podcast episode Celebrating Chinese New Year and learn more yourself before embarking on an exploration as a family.

What is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year is celebrated in China as well as other Asian countries like Korea, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. There are differences in how each country celebrates but they are all celebrating the same holiday!

Why calling it Lunar New Year matters: https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_wZKHnVD5/

Lunar New Year Traditions in Asia- https://youtu.be/wLrUiyx6OhY

Celebrations in China are a time to spend with family and wishing for the prosperity (success), health, wealth, good fortune, luck, happiness, and longevity (a long life) of them and yourself. It is also an opportunity for a fresh new start, just like in the United States.

Legends

Read the Legend of the Dragon, Nian, to the family:
- https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/Nian.htm
- Video: https://youtu.be/guwPTBmuiN8
Learn about the myth behind the zodiac calender: https://youtu.be/may2s9j4RLk

Traditions

In China/Taiwan: 14 day-celebration with 2 weeks off from work/school
- Travel to see family
- Cleaning
- Buy/wear new clothes
- Visit 良家 hometown, parents
- Visiting relatives
- Worship ancestors
  - Burn food/fake money to reach ancestors
  - Naxiang – light incense sticks
- Watch a video talking about the most common traditions: https://youtu.be/cKoaVYALLVI
Preparing for Chinese New Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8ssHXZ9_qU
New Year traditions preschool activities https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKdn7vBP58/

红包 hong bao Red Envelope: Elderly give money to singles/kids
- Ke you (kowtow)
- Learn about it here: https://youtu.be/5f-SMMeDDbE
- Buy some here: https://amzn.to/39sQXCx
- Or make your own: https://youtu.be/KaWuszQEPik

Celebrations

Highlight of celebrations in China in 2020: https://youtu.be/sDHJhfkQHEI

Chinese New Year parade: https://youtu.be/1cRMRp9-Z08

Lion dance: https://youtu.be/Se2n0cmBefU

Symbols

Chinese New Year symbolism: https://youtu.be/Vv_S4kDNekw

Red Banners with Spring couplets: 春联: Chūnlián, hanging the couplets expresses people’s delight in the festival and their wishes for a better life in the coming year https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/new-year/spring-festival-couplets.htm
Wear red clothing- symbolizes luck
Firecrackers- scare away ghosts
Red lanterns- give light to people finding their way home

More about these symbols and other common decorations: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/new-year-decoration.htm

Food

The foods video: https://youtu.be/wJ7V75stdvQ

Tang yuan (dessert): Round symbolizing sticking together forever
Dumplings: resemble monetary unit yuanbao
- (Taiwan) Dumplings with snow pea leaves and shrimp https://www.instagram.com/p/CLIXHThFL4B/
Orange and Tangerines: wealth, luck
Fish: Sounds like the word for prosperity (Yu)
Noodles: longevity
How to make a tray of togetherness

Books

Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee
- buy here: https://amzn.to/3apzBWx
- read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfoOGzSciL8
The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestein
- buy here: https://amzn.to/3tjBYCR
- read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6EduahxEMY
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
- buy here: https://amzn.to/3cyZvtR
- read aloud: https://youtu.be/4tVfPvj_Bog
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn
- buy here: https://amzn.to/3oH693x
- read aloud: https://youtu.be/bftRVgNwz1A
This next New Year by Janet S. Wong
- buy now: https://amzn.to/3cyY5PP
- read aloud: https://youtu.be/ANIXJb2gDmc
The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang
- buy now: https://amzn.to/37kRLIw
- read aloud: https://youtu.be/bb0doQuwzbQ
- companion activities to do: https://andreaywang.com/books/picture-books/the-nian-monster/

Crafts

Make a Red Ang Pow Flower Fan: https://youtu.be/e6vRDa3OEFA
Chinese Firecracker craft: https://youtu.be/uWraMoacM9k
DIY 3D orange craft: https://youtu.be/zzA2_maJn20
Origami orange: https://youtu.be/6b8lSGUR1yE
New Year Banner craft: https://youtu.be/eO0h5HrRD0I
Hanging Chinese firecracker craft: https://youtu.be/aH9pDqn1F2U
Simple lantern made from a red envelope: https://youtu.be/Zccdw8eN6G0
Learn about Chinese paper cutting: https://youtu.be/KwtQ-Gyc9bA
- Try making your own: https://youtu.be/Uc2NhyAB9r0
Make a Chinese rattle drum: https://youtu.be/LnWqeQZXKeU
Make a paper lantern: https://youtu.be/CbDUcqKBqEs
DIY Hanging fish decor: https://youtu.be/sudEi-5upFU
Make an origami ox (cow): https://youtu.be/7IQynpOL88c
Make a lucky lantern: https://youtu.be/BjekV4hWwK0
DIY Chinese Dragon Puppet: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CK2BE6bj49K/
Coloring book and dragon craft https://littleginsengs.com/#subscribe

Ways you can celebrate

Make dumplings or fried rice with the whole family!
- Chinese food recipes: https://jmichiechinesefood.blogspot.com/
- Try eating with chopsticks!

Learn some simple Chinese phrases to wish people a happy new year!
- Gōng xí fā cái- Happy New year （Mandarin）
  - Gung hay fat choy（Cantonese）
- Nián nián yóu yǔ- Many years of surplus
- 吉祥如意 jíxiáng rúyì Good fortune according to your wishes
- 大吉大利 Dàjí dàlì Lots of luck and profit
- Online Chinese Lessons with Jessica: https://jessicalew22.wixsite.com/tutoring

Write some Chinese Characters:
- https://www.learnchineseez.com/characters/learn-to-write-chinese/

Find out what each family members’ Chinese zodiac animal is and its characteristics:
- https://www.gaia.com/article/race-twelve-what-your-chinese-zodiac-animal-means-you or https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/

Learn a Traditional Chinese New Year song:
- 恭喜gong xi means : Congratulations! A way to greet each other during New Years.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf0btvROwXQ