In February 2024 we said 再见 zàijiàn to the Year of the Rabbit, and welcomed in the Year of the Dragon. We've collated resources below that you can use in the classroom, in your online lessons or at home to teach young people about Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Resources
Get to know your Zodiac
Why is 2024 the Year of the Dragon? Find out more about the Zodiac and learn how to say each animal in Mandarin.
Upgrade your New Year's Wishes
Learn 8 key phrases to wish friends, family, colleagues, or teachers good luck, health and happiness in the Year of the Dragon.
Resources from around the web
British Council
Year of the Dragon Classroom Resource Pack
These free educational resources contain information and activities to help teachers and pupils learn more about this important spring festival. These resources are suitable for primary years and adaptable for early secondary years and older.
BBC Bitesize
Chinese New Year in Huilai, China
Watch a video about Angela, a 12-year-old girl from China who visits her grandmother in Huilai, China for Chinese New Year celebrations and learn more about the festival. This resource is KS2 which is aimed at pupils aged 7-11.
BBC Newsround
What's the story behind Chinese New Year?
This page provides an overview of the festival and includes a quiz to see how much pupils know about Chinese New Year and helps pupils find out which Zodiac year they were born. This resource would be suitable for upper primary and lower secondary.
CBeebies
Take the Lunar New Year quiz, learn how to make a Chinese New Year dragon, listen to a boy called Li Tian talk about the special day, watch a lion dance and make a Chinese rattle drum.
Learn about Chinese New Year with Abbie and her brother.
Videos for primary aged pupils, some of which can also be accessed on Youtube via the links below:
Preparing for Chinese New Year video
Abbie and her brother clean the house in preparation for the Chinese New Year celebrations.
BBC Teach
Celebrating the Chinese New Year in the UK
A short video for primary students narrated by a young member of the UK Chinese community who shares why she enjoys this annual festival. Complete with a suggested framework for teachers.
An alternative link to the video, hosted by YouTube
Twinkl
Twinkl Chinese New Year Resources
This website does require you to sign up but there are a number of free resources and powerpoint presentations for different age groups on here. Sign up for an account and explore.
Ricefield Arts and Cultural Centre
Other web resources
Globe Trotting Kids Chinese New Year resources
This page provides an overview of Chinese New Year and links to a video on Youtube that retells The Great Race that led to the 12 zodiac signs. This would be suitable for primary aged pupils.
This page provides lots of information about Chinese New Year all in one place. It provides information on the 12 zodiac signs, traditions during the lunar new year and much more. The information could be adapted for both primary and secondary aged pupils.
This short video is an animated stop motion story about dumplings eaten at Chinese New Year and the coins traditionally hidden inside. It is 7 minutes long.
Resources from our Chinese Exchange Teachers
Our CETs have created some fun videos on Chinese New Year for you to learn about this important Chinese festival. Take a look!
WANG Jinxiu teaches us how to make Chinese dumplings (jiao zi)
QIU Shengnan plays her Erhu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, for Chinese New Year
RUI Zhang teaches us traditional Chinese New Year greetings and about the Chinese character FU
LV Hongye teaches us some Chinese New Year phrases
LV Hongye teaches us about the origins of the red envelope at Chinese New Year
ZHANG Yuan shows us how to make a traditional Chinese paper cut for Chinese New Year
MA Yumin shows us how to make a paper crane (plus accompanying paper crane instructions)