How to Make a Chinese New Year Dragon with Children

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a giant hanging Chinese Dragon this year. Making a Chinese Dragon with children is an easy way to decorate your home, classroom, business or party. This Chinese New Year Dragon can be made to hang flat on a wall or can be created in 3-D style.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Large white paper such as "butcher paper"
• scissors
• sketch of Chinese Dragon to copy from if needed
• various coloring materials (paint, marker)

1. 

   A large Chinese Dragon should be made in parts by children in small groups if possible. Divide your group of children into four to six small groups. If you only have a small number of children, then each one could make one part of the Chinese Dragon themselves. Each group will need something to color and draw with, large paper, and scissors.

2. 

   The Chinese Dragon should be created in parts. This is a large project suitable for hanging on the wall or from the ceiling of a classroom, cafeteria, family room, or any gathering hall or space. If the children are old enough, have each group/child draw one part of the Chinese Dragon after you have shown them several pictures of them as samples. Divide the Chinese Dragon into segments ... head, tail, and two to four body parts. Designs of lines and shapes should be drawn on the body and tail parts. If children are younger, then the adult should draw outlines and have the children color them in. Make the dragon as large as you wish. Have children color in bright colors.

3. 

   For a 3-D Chinese Dragon to hang from a ceiling, be sure that you create an exact copy of the Chinese Dragon parts from Step 2. However, you must remember to color the details on the opposite side of this copy so that when the two pieces are put together, you will have a two sided dragon with matching outline shape. Hold the coordinating pieces (i.e. both parts of the head) "back to back" before you begin coloring the second copy so that you are sure to color on the correct side for a 3-D Chinese Dragon effect. Of course if you are not making a 3-D Chinese Dragon and are going to hang it against a wall rather than from the ceiling, you may skip this step.

4. 

   Once the pieces of the Chinese Dragon are completely colored, it is time to cut them out and piece them together. This step is the same for either a flat Chinese Dragon or a 3-D Chinese Dragon. After coloring and cutting them out, lay the pieces out on the floor and arrange them in the way you would like them to be put together. It is now time to tape the Chinese Dragon together by placing tape on the back of it where two pieces meet. You may choose to make your Chinese Dragon look as if he is "dancing" by not putting the pieces in a straight line but rather by tilting and misaligning them a bit.

5. 

   If you are making a 3-D Chinese Dragon, you will now need to staple the two sides together. First place one complete taped together side of the Chinese Dragon face down on the floor or table. Next, lay the other half of the Chinese Dragon face up on top of it. Staple or tape only the bottom and ends of the Chinese Dragon together. Now use crumpled newspaper or tissue paper to stuff your Chinese Dragon a bit so that it looks 3-D. Simply push it into the opening at the top of the dragon. You do not need much at all for a 3-D effect. Remember this is paper so don't over stuff it or it will tear. After stuffing your Chinese Dragon, staple or tape the top shut.

6. To hang your Chinese Dragon from the ceiling, punch several holes in the top of it then tie on fishing line so the strings won't show. You may now hang up your Chinese Dragon from the ceiling, or if not stuffed, it is ready to attach to the wall. Happy Chinese New Year!

Resources

• About Chinese Dragons