Children's Activities & Chinese Zodiac Symbols
During Chinese New Year, you can celebrate different astrological signs that originated from Chinese folklore. These symbols denote animals and personalities, and every sign in the zodiac has a certain year. Children activities allow them to learn about their own Chinese zodiac signs and celebrates different cultures.
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Chinese Zodiac Symbols
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In Chinese tradition, everyone has an animal sign. These animals also have their certain years that occur every 12 years. Chinese astrology uses these animals to tell horoscopes. The Chinese zodiac symbols are as follows: Rabbit (2011), Dragon (2012), Snake (2013), Horse (2014), Sheep (2015), Monkey (2016), Rooster (2017), Dog (2018), Pig (2019), Rat (2020), Ox (2021) and Tiger (2022).
Zodiac Word Search
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Word search puzzles hide special words among other letters; then, once the word is found, you circle the found word either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. You can make a word search puzzle with the names of the Chinese zodiac animals, or you can use a template from Activity Village. Then, children draw and color their animal on a blank sheet of paper.
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Origami Animals
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Origami characters can become decorations. Every year, there is a new zodiac animal to represent the new year in Chinese tradition. You can make origami zodiac animals and hang them around the house by using 3-by-5-inch index cards in different colors and origami diagrams for each animal. These diagrams show you how to fold the paper at every edge and corner to create little animals. There is even a rabbit origami that hops once folded properly (see Resources for diagrams).
Zodiac Kids Parade
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To celebrate each year of the Chinese zodiac, you can have the children make costumes out of their favorite animals or which animal represents them. They can make costumes from old t-shirts construction paper, paint, crepe paper or bright streamers, poster board and ribbons. With a roll of butcher paper, you can have the kids finger paint in different colors, then write "Year of the ____" to describe the current year for Chinese zodiac. The kids then carry this banner with them as they parade. Additionally, you can buy face paint and help decorate each of their faces. Let the kids use noisemakers and hand drums to march in parade style.
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References
Resources
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