The Lunar New Year is a festive holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, and it’s a great opportunity for teachers to incorporate some fun, low prep activities into their classrooms. Whether you’re teaching students about the history and cultural traditions of the holiday or simply want to add some excitement to your lesson plans, there are plenty of easy and engaging ways to celebrate the new year. From games and classroom surveys to math and literacy activities, there are a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by students. So, get ready to ring in the Year of the Snake with these fun and educational Lunar New Year activities for 2025!
What’s Included in the Lunar New Year Low Prep Activities Packet?
The following activities are included in the Lunar New Year Low Prep Activities Packet:
- Perfect for math and literacy centers, morning work, or early finishers.
- Incorporate into social studies lessons to explore New Year traditions.
- Use crafts to decorate the classroom or celebrate the Lunar New Year.
- Assign as homework or sub plans to keep students engaged.
- What’s Included
- Chinese New Year Addition Bump
- Lunar New Year Addition Bump
- Chinese Zodiac Spin and Graph
- Animal Zodiac Spin and Graph
- Zodiac Animals
- Zodiac Animal Scramble
- Zodiac Animals ABC Order
- Zodiac Animal Word Search
- Chinese New Year Symbols
- Lunar New Year Symbols
- Can You Eat with Chopsticks? Survey Activity
- Comprehension Check: Chinese New Year
- Comprehension Check: Lunar New Year
- Comprehension Check: Chinese Lantern Festival
- Comprehension Check: Lantern Festival
- Writing Prompt: Lunar New Year (2 versions)
- Writing Prompt: China
- What Is Your Favorite Part of the Chinese New Year?
- What Is Your Favorite Part of the Lunar New Year?
- How Would You Catch a Dragon?
- Chinese Numbers 1-10
- Count and Color
- Dragon Ten Frames
- Chinese Coin Addition
- Chinese Dominoes Addition
- Chinese Coin Subtraction
- Money Envelope Count: Tally Marks
- Color by Code: Number Words
- Color by Code: Tally Marks
- Chinese New Year Word Search
- Lunar New Year Word Search
- Label the Dragon
- Chinese New Year 2025 Scrambled Sentence
- Lunar New Year 2025 Scrambled Sentence
- The Dragon Dance Scrambled Sentence
- Chinese Zodiac Scrambled Sentence
- Lunar Calendar Zodiac Scrambled Sentence
- What’s Your Animal Sign?
- Zodiac Animal Coloring Pages (12 Pages)
- Comparing New Year Customs Diagram
- Chinese New Year KWL Chart
- Lunar New Year KWL Chart
- Draw a Dragon: Directed Drawing Worksheet
- Draw a Snake: Directed Drawing Worksheet
- My Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year Booklet
- My Chinese Zodiac / Animal Zodiac Booklet
- Zodiac Animal Crown Crafts (12 versions)
- Zodiac Animal Lantern Crafts (12 versions)
Let’s take a look at a sample of the activities included in the Chinese New Year Activities packet.
Lunar New Year History and Cultural Traditions
There are a variety of activities that teachers can use to help students learn about the history and cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year. A great activity to start with is the Lunar New Year KWL (Know, Want to Know, Learned) graphic organizer. Before beginning a lesson on the holiday, have students brainstorm what they already know about the Lunar New Year and record their thoughts in the “Know” column. Next, have them list any questions or topics they want to learn about in the “Want to Know” column. As you go through the lesson, have students fill in the “Learned” column with new information they acquire.
Students can also complete the comparing New Year customs diagram to explore how different cultures celebrate their new year traditions. This activity helps students develop cultural awareness and understanding while identifying similarities and differences between various celebrations.
Exploring Lunar New Year Symbols and Traditions
One of the most exciting parts of the Lunar New Year are the symbols and traditions associated with the holiday. From red envelopes and lanterns to the mythical dragon dance, there is so much for students to learn about and explore. The 2025 packet includes comprehensive activities focused on these traditions, including:
- Comprehension checks about various festivals and celebrations
- Creative writing prompts about Lunar New Year traditions
- Vocabulary booklets exploring holiday symbols
- Hands-on craft activities for making traditional decorations
There are activities that are suitable for a wide range of student abilities. Younger students can complete the Lunar New Year symbols worksheet and practice reading and writing words at the same time.
By participating in these activities, students will not only learn about the history and cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year but also gain a greater appreciation and understanding of other cultures.
Year of the Snake Activities
The Snake zodiac sign brings unique opportunities for engaging activities in 2025. Students can:
- Complete directed drawing worksheets to create their own snake artwork
- Make snake-themed zodiac animal crowns and lanterns
- Explore snake symbolism in Chinese culture through reading and writing activities
- Practice writing skills with snake-themed writing prompts
Zodiac Animals and the Lunar New Year
The Chinese zodiac is an integral part of the Lunar New Year celebration, with each year being represented by one of 12 animals. The “What’s Your Animal Sign?” activity helps students discover their zodiac animal and learn about its characteristics. Students can use the included chart to match their birth year with the corresponding animal, then research the traits associated with their sign.
Additional zodiac-themed activities include:
- Word searches featuring zodiac vocabulary
- ABC order practice with zodiac animal names
- Graphing activities using zodiac animals
- A comprehensive zodiac animal booklet
Lunar New Year Low Prep Literacy Activities
The 2025 packet includes numerous literacy activities to enhance students’ understanding of the holiday while developing their reading and writing skills. Popular activities include:
- Comprehensive word searches with holiday vocabulary
- Scrambled sentences about various Lunar New Year topics
- Creative writing prompts exploring holiday traditions
- Labeling activities for dragons and other zodiac animals
Another activity is using writing prompts to encourage students to reflect on the holiday and its cultural traditions. These activities not only help students practice their literacy skills but also allow them to think critically and creatively about the holiday.
The Label the dragon worksheet is a fun and educational activity for students to enjoy during the Lunar New Year. Students use the words to label the different parts of the dragon on the worksheet. This activity helps children learn new vocabulary and practice their reading and writing skills.
Lunar New Year Low Prep Math Activities
Mathematics comes alive during Lunar New Year with activities such as:
- Practice writing Chinese numbers 1-10
- Lucky coin addition and subtraction
- Chinese domino math games
- Tally mark counting with red envelopes
- Color by code activities using number words and tally marks
Writing Chinese numbers 1-10 is a fun and educational activity for the Lunar New Year. To begin, children can practice writing the numbers using traditional Chinese characters. This can help them develop fine motor skills and improve their handwriting.
Lunar New Year Classroom Survey
The “Can You Eat with Chopsticks?” survey remains a favorite interactive activity. Students practice data collection and analysis while learning about cultural traditions. The survey can spark interesting discussions about different eating utensils used around the world.
Lunar New Year Coloring Pages
Lunar New Year coloring pages are a fun and creative activity for students to enjoy during the holiday. These coloring pages feature the Chinese zodiac animals. Students can use a variety of coloring tools, such as crayons, markers, or paint, to bring the pages to life. As they color, students will practice fine motor skills and creativity. They can also learn about the cultural traditions and symbolism associated with the Lunar New Year. Coloring pages can be a great way for students to relax and have fun while also learning about this important holiday.
Creative Expression and Crafts
New to the 2025 packet are expanded craft options, including:
- Zodiac animal crowns for all 12 animals
- Traditional lantern crafts featuring zodiac designs
- Directed drawing worksheets for dragons and snakes
- Coloring pages featuring all zodiac animals
These activities not only help students develop fine motor skills but also provide beautiful decorations for the classroom during the Lunar New Year celebration.
Chinese New Year Activities for Google Slides™
Selected Lunar New Year activities have been created for Google Slides™. Click play on the video to see a sample of some of the activities in action. These digital activities have been updated for the 2025 Lunar New Year.
The 2025 Lunar New Year Activities packet provides a comprehensive collection of resources for teachers to create engaging, educational, and culturally rich experiences for their students. Whether used for math centers, literacy activities, or cultural exploration, these materials help make the Year of the Snake a memorable celebration in any classroom.
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