2026 marks the Year of the Horse, and if you are planning to enjoy the Lunar New Year with your children and family, I have a simple and entertaining Chinese New Year horse paper hat for you to color, cut, and wear during the celebrations.
This horse craft includes an easy printable pattern that works well in the classroom for teachers or at home during a crafting session with your children.
The Chinese New Year horse paper hat displays a horse, the year 2026 beneath it, and the phrase Happy Chinese New Year. Since I enjoy providing choices with my craft patterns, I designed four different wording options:
- 2026 Happy New Year
- 2026 Happy Chinese New Year
- 2026 Year Of The Horse
- 2026 Happy Year Of The Horse
Choose the version you like best, print the headband, and begin decorating it with colors.
Preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary-aged children will enjoy making this Lunar New Year project in February.
Year of the Horse
Within the twelve-year Chinese zodiac cycle linked to the Chinese calendar, the snake is the sixth animal.
The Year of the Horse returns once every 12 years, with the previous one taking place in 2014.
People born during the Year of the Horse are commonly described as lively, self-reliant, and fond of freedom.
How can you celebrate the Chinese New Year with children?
Enjoying Chinese New Year with children can be both entertaining and informative. Here are a few suggestions:
Decorate your home
Choose classic colors such as red and gold for your decorations because they are traditionally associated with happiness and good fortune. Work with your children to create paper lanterns, dragon masks, or homemade horse paper crowns.
Chinese New Year Craft Printables
Explore the Zodiac
Introduce children to the 12 creatures in the Chinese zodiac. Read stories or view videos that explain the legends and tales connected with Chinese New Year and its zodiac animals.
Prepare traditional dishes
Use this occasion to sample foods like dumplings and rice cakes. Prepare them together at home by involving the children in the kitchen, or visit a nearby Asian restaurant.
DIY Chinese New Year Horse Paper Hat
Materials:
How to create the Chinese New Year Horse Paper Hat
Print the headband design onto a sheet of white paper.
Decorate the front section with colors, then cut it out.
Attach the two side strips to the front section with tape.
Curve the headband into a round shape and place it around the child’s head to make sure it fits. Secure the ends with tape.