Chinese Kids Arts & Crafts

Panda puppets make for hands-on learning about this beloved animal.

Arts and crafts activities make learning about other cultures, such as China, more fun for elementary-age kids. Whether kids are learning about Chinese New Year celebrations or the much-loved panda bear, there are many Chinese crafts kids can make with basic household materials. Kids can proudly display their crafts in the classroom or at home as a reminder of what they've learned.

Chinese Lantern

Chinese New Year celebrations end with the enchanting lantern festival. Kids can make their own paper lantern replicas from construction paper. Fold a piece of construction paper in half length-wise and, starting at the folded edge, make approximately 12 vertical cuts spaced evenly apart. Stop the cuts about 1 inch below the edge of the paper. Unfold the paper and form into a long tube shape by stapling or taping the two top corners and the two bottom corners together. The cuts will bow out in the center to create a lantern shape. Staple a 1-inch by 11-inch strip of paper to each side of the top of the lantern to create a handle. Decorate with crayons, markers or glitter as desired.

Fireworks Craft

The Chinese invented fireworks thousands of years ago. Kids can create a decorative fireworks craft easily with black paper and glitter. Apply clear-drying glue onto black paper in star-burst shapes that resemble fireworks. Kids can use a straw to blow the glue into interesting shapes, or a toothpick to spread the glue with greater precision. Sprinkle glitter in a variety of colors onto the glue. Shake off the excess glitter when dry.

Panda Puppet

Kids enchanted by panda bears will enjoy playing with their own paper-bag panda puppet. Cut out ears, large circular eyes and a nose from black construction paper and glue to the bottom of a white paper lunch bag. Cut two, small, white circles from white paper and glue to the center of the eyes. Glue or tape two black paws to either side of the bag.

Chinese Fan

Chinese fans are decorative crafts kids can make as simple or complex as they want. Start by decorating a piece of white paper with crayons, markers or paints. Kids can create their own designs or imitate classic Chinese characters and blossoms. Once the design is completed, fold the paper accordion style. Tape the bottom together to create a 1-inch base to hold the fan with. Glue a craft stick to each end of the paper. Open the fan by pulling the craft sticks apart.

References

• Enchanted Learning: Chinese Lantern
• Enchanted Learning: Fireworks
• Enchanted Learning: Paper Bag Puppets
• Activity Village: Chinese Fan Craft