Easy Chinese New Year Crafts & Ideas for Kids 2026 & 2026 Year of the Horse Ideas

That time of year has arrived once again, and our fantastic collection of Best Chinese New Year Crafts for Kids is here to help! 2026 marks the Chinese New Year of the Horse! We adore Dragon Crafts for Kids and are sharing plenty of them today, along with a wonderful selection of other Chinese New Year ideas. Chinese New Year 2026 falls on 17th February and celebrates the Year of the Horse! You might also enjoy our Animal Crafts for the Chinese Zodiac.

Let’s get started making these fabulous Chinese New Year Crafts 2026

Chinese New Year is China’s most significant celebration – translated literally, it means the Spring Festival and signals the beginning of a fresh Zodiac year. Naturally, this tradition is not limited to Chinese culture, as numerous Asian countries also observe Lunar New Year.

For a new beginning, homes are thoroughly cleaned, while doorways are decorated with red ornaments representing “good fortune”, “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity”.As a general rule, Chinese New Year crafts focus on the lucky colour Red, the colour of prosperity Gold and Dragons – together with the 12 animals of the Zodiac.

Since 2026 is the Year of the Horse, we felt that our Chinese Dragon Crafts AND Year of the Horse round ups could be helpful:

Alongside several wonderful free Dragon Printables, this Year of the Dragon crafts collection has plenty to enjoy! You can also explore the wonderfully entertaining Year of the Horse Activities here.

Chinese New Year Crafts for Kids

Let’s start with Chinese Dragon DIY projects

Chinese Dragon Puppet & Printable

This Chinese New Year Dragon puppet makes creating a dragon craft wonderfully simple. We designed an easy printout to make the activity enjoyable and straightforward! Plus, when you visit Happy to Shelf, you can discover some delightful learning activities that use our dragon printable! All that’s required are our printables, red paper, and recycled popsicle sticks! Such fun.

Chinese Dragon Paper Plate Twirlers

These Paper Plate Dragon Whirligigs are incredibly cute and entertaining, come with printables, look amazing, and are very simple to create. They make an ideal Chinese New Year decoration for the classroom or home!! We love them. They are suitable for preschoolers right through to adults! We painted ours with acrylic paint, although red paper plates or any paints you already have available will work just as well!

Create Your Own Chinese Dragon Printable

This brilliant build-your-own Chinese Dragon Printable is another one of our free resources. There are countless ways to use it… make it very short or extremely long. Shape it into a curly wurly design or keep it straight. Use it for counting or practise number bonds by adding more segments, or investigate colour theory by mixing shades on the dragon’s body. If time is limited, simply print it on coloured paper and put it together – ideal for Chinese New Year Bulletin boards in the classroom!

Dragon Finger Puppet Printable

This dragon finger puppet is another excellent printable, or to celebrate the Year of the Snake, choose the single Horse Paper Puppet! It combines a delightful dragon colouring page and craft in one activity! You can download the dragon printable puppet on its own or choose the complete set of 12 Zodiac Animal Finger Puppets!

Origami Dargon – simple paper crafts for Lunar New Year

While preparing your Chinese New Year resources, be sure to try this fantastic Origami Dragon – it begins with a straightforward origami pattern. Then, use paper scraps to cut simple shapes (we demonstrate how!) and transform the basic origami project into this amazing dragon craft. They would make beautiful wall decorations or could be joined together as a garland for Lunar New Year. Be sure to watch the video on autoplay too!

Dancing Dragon Printable Card

Why not print and colour this gorgeous Dancing Dragon Card? It is so lovely!

Origami Dragon Bookmark Ideas

I have created two varieties of the Dragon Bookmark Corner. We absolutely LOVE these wonderful Dragon Corner Bookmarks for Chinese New Year, along with this Dragon Corner Bookmark. They are guaranteed to be incredibly simple and, naturally, enjoyable to create. You could also make the Year of the Horse Bookmark corner. It is equally easy to put together! (I now have ALL 12 Zodiac Animal Corner Bookmarks collected in one useful bundle).

A wonderful Dragon Paper Craft for Chinese New Year!

Chinese Dragon Masks (with Template)

You can also transform your little one INTO a dragon with these entertaining Dragon Masks. How amazing! They are ideal for Chinese New Year celebrations. Choose this set, cut out the pieces, and create your own.. or:

Easy Dragon Mask Coloring Pages

You could also try these Printable Dragon Mask Coloring Pages!

Egg Carton Dragon for preschoolers

We certainly enjoy a wonderful recycled craft.. and this charming dragon created from an egg carton is no different. I Heart Crafty Things has shared a fantastic Egg Carton Dragon. Visit them and discover how to make it today!

Cupcake Liner Chinese Dragon Art

Why not try this beautifully simple Dragon Art project? Colourful cupcake liners are all you need to finish it.

Learn more about this Dragon Craft for children from I Heart Crafty Things.

Egg Carton DragonPuppets for Chinese New Year

I shared this Dragon many years ago, back when I began creating the round ups on Red Ted Art. I loved it at the time and still adore it today! That is why I am presenting it to you once more. Crafts made from Egg Cartons are always fantastic. It is simply a household item that is readily “to hand”. Add some paint and see the result. This design comes from Activity Village. Wonderful.Egg Carton Dragon Puppet

Alternatively… take it a step further and turn your egg carton dragon into a Puppet, just like Family Disney! It is absolutely gorgeous. Sadly, the step-by-step instructions and images for this project are no longer accessible, but I thought you might still enjoy viewing the photo!

Cardboard Tube Chinese Dragon

Oh my goodness. As the self-appointed Cardboard Tube Queen, I am feeling serious Cardboard Tube envy. I wish I had invented this brilliant dragon puppet. I absolutely LOVE IT! Learning We Like created the idea. So adorable!

Chinese Dragon with Handprints

Here is another craft that makes my mummy heart overflow… just look at this sweet dragon whose body is formed from the children’s handprints. How adorable is it? It definitely belongs in the “hand craft drawer”. Baabaabeep and her lovely children delight us! You can pair it with the hands shown here by using our free dragon printable at the top of this page!

Paper Bag Chinese Dragon Puppet (with Printable)

Pink Stripey Socks has this delightful Chinese Dragon Paper Bag Puppet that is wonderfully easy to make!

Paper Bag Lion Masks for Chinese New Year

Or if you are searching for somethinga little unlike the classic Chinese Dragon Crafts, Pink Stripey Socks offers these fantastic Paper Bag Lion Masks to create. Wonderful!

Chinese Lantern Crafts

Dragons are incredibly entertaining, particularly for children.. but lanterns.. well, lanterns are simply beautiful! Even more so when you can illuminate them with fairy lights or tea lights. Explore these delightful DIY Chinese New Year Lantern Craft Ideas!

Zodiac Animal Paper Lanterns for 2026

Continue below to discover how you can create traditional red paper lanterns from the beginning. If you prefer a speedy printable option, I also have this useful collection of full-color or coloring-page Zodiac Animal Paper Lanterns. You can purchase the complete set, or choose JUST your favourite Zodiac animal.. and since it is the Year of the Horse.. why not select only that one? Although all 12 are wonderful!

Red Chinese Lanterns made from paper

As a child, I recall creating these for “Carnival Day” (February). They are simple, enjoyable, and look wonderful when several are displayed together. They are also excellent forpracticingcutting skills. So why not make a Chinese Lantern today! Place a tea light inside a glass in the centre, or attach a small handle at the top so it can be hung.

Festival Lanterns – Fair Lights

Alternatively.. use the same modest lantern… just create smaller versions. Then fasten them to fairy lights. They look absolutely gorgeous.Chinese Lantern Fairy Lightspost. A charming variation on the traditional lantern project. Since we are discussing “cutting”, paper cutting is an important traditional Chinese activity. Discover more about it with Miss Panda Chinese.

Paper Roll Lanterns

Let’s return to our beloved Toilet Roll Crafts – transform those rolls into lanterns! Once again, they are enjoyable and inexpensive. Visit our Paper Roll Lantern post to learn how.

Suncatcher Lanterns

This Chinese Lantern Suncatcher is not only stunning to look at, but it is also simple enough for preschoolers to create!!! Learn more at The Gingerbread House!

Chinese Lantern Art Project

This Chinese Lantern Art Project is so charming. Children can each make an individual one, or work together to produce a shared artwork. Head over to Pink Stripey Socks for further details!

Chinese Take Out Lantern

Okay.. it may not be a “traditional” Chinese craft exactly, but I simply had to include it – don’t these lanterns created from “take out boxes” look amazing? Make Handmade came up with the idea. I absolutely adore it!!

Other Chinese New Year Craft Activities and Themes

There is always an “eclectic” collection of crafts at the end, isn’t there? I suppose I could have arranged some under “Paper Chinese New Year Crafts” or “Animal Chinese New Year crafts”.. but sometimes it is simpler to mix everything together.. so.. what do you think of these enjoyable projects?!

Chinese Money Red Envelopes

In Chinese tradition, money is placed in red envelopes to encourage prosperity and good fortune. Try making your OWN red envelopes, beautifully embellished with this Chinese New Year Red Money Envelope craft. It is such a fantastic Paper Craft for children! All you need is red paper, scissors, and glitter glue!

Paper Plate Fans for Chinese New Year

Here is a brilliant idea: pair paper plates with craft sticks to create these gorgeous Chinese New Year fans! The gold, red, and black combination gives them an unmistakable Chinese New Year appearance. Find additional details and step-by-step photos at The Pinterested Parent!

Chinese Paper Fan

A straightforward Chinese Fan is hard to beat! I felt that the “materials needed” section made this appear far more complicated than it is.. I’m certain you can create equally lovely fans with fewer “things”…. for example, use a gold pen rather than stamps or cut out goldpaper. These ideas were originally created by Craft Kaboose, but the site is no longer accessible. Here are some wonderful alternative instructions.

Chinese Drum – a perfect noise maker for preschool children

Create an adorable Chinese New Year drum craft: Make a drum of your own to help chase away evil spirits – this version uses an old CD, which creates a lovely sound, along with beads. It is incredibly simple and entertaining! From St Louise Public Library Parents (visit the library!!).

Paper Plate Drums for Chinese New Year

You could also have the children create this Paper Plate Chinese New Year Drum. Visit Gift of Curiosity for the simple instructions!

Goldfish Kite created from Toilet Paper Rolls

Here is more fun with toilet paper rolls, thanks to Lightly Enchanted, who delighted me with these charming goldfish made from my favourite cardboard tubes! They are absolutely adorable, and I can easily picture them dancing in the breeze. They are truly wonderful.

Goldfish Origami for Chinese New Year

Combine cultures by introducing children to origami. Help them create their first origami animal with these sweet little goldfish. I am always intending to explore more origami projects. These would make a lovely mobile. If you would like some “fancy origami” paper but do not have any available, visit my free printables page for links to patterns you can print at home! Crafty Crafted provides a step-by-step tutorial!

Sand in My Toes demonstrates how to create these adorable Chinese Good Luck Ornaments for children!

Fingerprint Animal Zodiac Activity

Try this Fingerprint Zodiac Animal Activity from the entertaining handprint blog – it would also be a fantastic addition to our collection of Chinese Zodiac Animals!

Create Your Own Fortune Cookies

Were you aware that Fortune Cookies are not actually commonly eaten in China?! They were largely “invented for the West”; nevertheless, I think they are a playful addition to any Chinese New Year collection.

AllRecipes provides a recipe for making these fortune cookies. I have not tried preparing them before, but I would really like to give them a go. Perhaps there is still time to make them for Red Ted’s nursery… mmmh. Yes, I believe I will!

Paper Fortune Cookies

If the “real” edible Fortune Cookies seem a bit challenging, why not make this considerably simpler paper version instead? They are wonderfully easy and enjoyable. I LOVE paper crafts!

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WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR—be sure to try some crafts!

Why not explore a few Chinese Zodiac Origami projects?

Or perhaps these fantastic Zodiac Animal Puppets & Coloring Pages would interest you? Choose all 12 Zodiac Animals, or select only the Year of the Horse puppet for 2026:

You might also enjoy our Animal Crafts for the Chinese Zodiac if you would like to discover projects for the year of the rat, tiger, pig, and many others!

Discover more excellent Dragon Crafts for Preschool children and older kids here: