Chinese New Year has always been a traditional time for family sharing and caring, it gives us time to build connections and be engaged in some family fun by making your own Chinese New Year decorations. Chinese New year is also a great opportunity to introduce your kids to China as a country, its food, history, the geography, the home of the Panda bear and more! If you don’t want to go out and enjoy the celebrations and events which are sometimes a bit overwhelming for small kids, think lots of banging drums and fire crackers! A nice way to celebrate could be to order some ‘Dim Sum’ or New Year treats & goodies or even try to make your own longevity noodles and get the kids to decorate with some fun DIY Chinese New Year arts and crafts or brave the streets of China Town for their annual displays of themed decorations and everything else you could possibly need for Chinese New Year.

We’ve found some great ideas how you can decorate for Chinese New Year without even having to leave the house and a bonus is, they will keep the kids occupied for hours!

Chinese New Year Crafts | 12 Zodiac Animals

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with this delightful 12 Zodiac Animals Paper Lanterns craft activity, perfect for kids! This printable bundle includes fun templates for all twelve Chinese zodiac animals — Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig — that children can print, color, cut, and assemble into festive lanterns. It’s a great way to combine creativity with learning about the cultural stories behind the zodiac animals and makes a wonderful hands-on project for the Lunar New Year season.

Whether you want to focus on the Year of the Horse (2026) or explore the whole zodiac, this activity keeps kids engaged while celebrating one of the most important holidays in the lunar calendar.

Credit & Source:
Craft resource adapted from the Chinese New Year Crafts | 12 Zodiac Animals Paper Lanterns bundle available on Classful (printable PDF activity).

DIY Horse Card 

If your child loves animals, especially horses, this DIY Horse Card is a fun and creative craft activity to try. Perfect for themed celebrations such as the Year of the Horse, this simple project is easy to make and enjoyable for young children.

The horse card features a cute design with a small 3D effect, making it more engaging and exciting for kids to create. Children can practice cutting, gluing, and decorating while expressing their creativity and imagination.

This craft works well as a handmade greeting card, a party invitation for a horse-themed event, or even a thoughtful handmade gift for friends and family. It’s a great hands-on activity for preschool and primary-aged children, helping to develop fine motor skills and creative confidence.

A lovely arts and crafts idea to include in your Chinese New Year activities this year
Credit & Source This craft idea is adapted from Red Ted Art – “Horse Card Handmade(RedTedArt.com)

Paper Horse Handpuppet Printable

Looking for creative and kid-friendly horse craft ideas? This delightful collection of fun and easy horse crafts offers a variety of projects that are perfect for young makers — whether you’re celebrating the Year of the Horse or simply want a hands-on activity to enjoy together. From printable paper puppets and 3D coloring projects to simple craft stick designs and wearable headbands, these projects use everyday materials and are designed to keep children engaged and proud of their creations. Many ideas are suitable for preschoolers and early elementary ages, making them great for home, school, or holiday playtime.

Credit & Source:
Craft inspiration adapted from Red Ted Art – Fun and Easy Horse Craft Ideas for Kids (RedTedArt.com).

Year of the Horse Paper Cutting

Introduce your child to a beautiful and traditional Chinese art form with this Chinese New Year paper cutting craft! Paper cutting (剪纸 jiǎn zhǐ) is a folk art with centuries of history in China and is often used to decorate homes and windows during festivals like Chinese New Year. This kid-friendly activity uses simple materials — red paper, scissors, and glue — to create striking designs that can be displayed on cards, windows, or walls. Most designs are symmetrical and teach children patience, fine motor skills, and cultural appreciation as they carefully snip and reveal a festive shape. Whether your kids are cutting horses or blossoms, this craft brings a handmade touch to your Lunar New Year celebrations.

Credit & Source:
Craft inspiration adapted from Craftiments – Chinese New Year Paper Cutting for Kids.

2026 Year of the Horse Colouring Page

Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a fun and simple colouring activity that kids will love! This printable 2026 Year of the Horse colouring page features a bold horse illustration designed especially for young children to decorate with their favourite colours. It’s a great way to bring the festive spirit of Chinese New Year into your home, classroom, or playtime, while helping kids practice fine motor skills and creative expression. Whether your little ones are just discovering art or enjoy a calm creative moment, this colouring page is an easy, prep-free resource that connects them to the culture and traditions of the Lunar New Year.

Credit & Source:
Colouring activity inspired by Twinkl – 2026 Year of the Horse Colouring Page (Twinkl resource).

Horse Mane Craft

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a creative and tactile art activity that kids will absolutely enjoy! This Horse Mane Craft invites children to make a colourful horse head with a flowing mane using paper, scissors, and simple craft materials. It’s a hands-on project that helps little ones explore textures and colours while building fine motor skills and confidence. Perfect for preschool or early elementary ages, this craft fits beautifully into your Chinese New Year activities and makes a cheerful decoration or display piece at home or in the classroom.

Credit & Source:
Activity adapted from Twinkl – Horse Mane Craft (Twinkl resource)

Year of the Horse Paper Chain Craft

Welcome the Year of the Horse with a colourful and engaging paper craft that’s perfect for children of all ages! This Year of the Horse Paper Chain Craft lets kids create their own decorative paper chain featuring horse motifs, combining creativity with cultural celebration. As children cut, link, and decorate the paper strips, they’ll build fine motor skills, explore traditional holiday symbols, and enjoy a hands-on activity that brightens your Chinese New Year décor. This craft is an ideal addition to Lunar New Year festivities at home or in the classroom, offering both fun and learning in one festive project.

Credit & Source:
Craft idea adapted from Twinkl – Year of the Horse Paper Chain Craft. (Twinkl resource)