6 Fun & Educational Lunar New Year Games for Kids in 2026

Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, family bonding, and joy. It’s a memorable holiday that brings people together to enjoy festive food, decorations, and activities. For children, this is an exciting time filled with games that teach them about Chinese culture. Whether you’re hosting a large family party or having a small gathering at home, these games will keep your kids entertained. The fun activities allow children to connect with the traditions of the Chinese New Year in a lively and meaningful way.

As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon in 2025, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to fun Lunar New Year games. These games not only entertain, but also help children understand the traditions and symbols behind the celebrations. From acting like animals of the Chinese Zodiac to creating colorful lanterns, every game adds an educational touch to the festivities.

Top 6 Lunar New Year Games To Play In 2026

Lunar New Year games are a great way to have fun while learning about Chinese traditions. These games are perfect for kids because they mix play with learning. Kids can act like animals from the Chinese Zodiac or make colorful lanterns. These games help children understand important things like luck, family, and culture. Here are the best games you can enjoy during Lunar New Year celebrations in 2026.

Chinese Zodiac Animal Relay Race

The Chinese Zodiac is one of the most iconic elements of Lunar New Year celebrations, and this game offers children a fun and active way to learn about the 12 animals. The Chinese Zodiac Animal Relay Race involves assigning each child a Zodiac animal and having them race in a manner that reflects the characteristics of their assigned animal. For example, kids mimicking the Tiger could crawl, while those playing the Horse can gallop. Not only is this a fun way to get them moving, but it also encourages them to learn the symbolic traits of each animal.

How to Play?

Materials Needed: Cones, animal cards, markers, and space to run.
Instructions: Each child pulls an animal card (representing one of the Zodiac animals) from a pile. They then race to a finish line using the animal movements. Explain the symbolism of the animal they represent, for example, the Rabbit symbolizes peace, while the Dragon is associated with strength.
Winner: The child who completes the course in the correct style first wins.

Cultural Learning

This game is an excellent way to teach children about the Chinese Zodiac. It brings the animals to life through physical activity, helping kids understand their deeper meanings memorably and engagingly.

Animal	Symbolism	Movement
Rat	Cleverness, Adaptability	Crawling
Ox	Strength, Hard Work	Walking Slowly
Tiger	Power, Bravery	Crawling
Rabbit	Peace, Compassion	Hopping
Dragon	Strength, Luck, Power	Galloping
Snake	Wisdom, Mystery	Slithering
Horse	Freedom, Strength	Galloping
Sheep	Calm, Peaceful	Walking Slowly
Monkey	Cleverness, Fun	Jumping
Rooster	Confidence, Diligence	Walking Fast
Dog	Loyalty, Honesty	Running
Pig	Prosperity, Enjoyment	Running

Chinese Lantern Craft and Toss

Making Chinese lanterns is one of the most beloved traditional activities during the Chinese New Year celebrations. But what makes this game even more special is the added challenge of tossing the lanterns into various targets. This game is a fantastic way to combine creativity with cultural education.

How to Play?

Materials Needed: Colorful paper, glue, scissors, string, and baskets or hoops.
Instructions: Start by having the kids create their own lanterns using the craft materials. After completing their lanterns, they can participate in a tossing game. The goal is to land their lanterns in baskets or hoops. The baskets or hoops are placed at different distances.
Variation: For added difficulty, set up hoops at varying heights or distances, with points awarded for each successful toss.

Cultural Learning

Lanterns are a key symbol of the Chinese New Year, representing light, good fortune, and a bright future. As they toss their creations, kids will also learn about the tradition of lighting lanterns. This tradition dates back centuries. It was initially done to drive away evil spirits during the Chinese New Year.

Lantern Toss	Target Distance	Points Awarded
Short Distance	2 meters	1 point
Medium Distance	5 meters	3 points
Long Distance	8 meters	5 points

Chinese New Year Scavenger Hunt

A Chinese New Year Scavenger Hunt is a great way to get kids moving and thinking critically while also teaching them about the symbols of the holiday. You can hide items around the house or yard and provide clues to help kids find them. Some items could include red envelopes, Zodiac animal figurines, or other traditional symbols.

How to Play?

Materials Needed: Red envelopes, Zodiac animal figurines, small Chinese-themed items, and clue cards.
Instructions: Create a list of items that symbolize the Chinese New Year (such as red envelopes, gold coins, dragon figurines, etc.). Write clues that guide children to find these hidden items.
Winner: The child who finds the most items first or solves the most clues wins.

Cultural Learning

Red envelopes symbolize prosperity. Items like Zodiac animal figurines help kids learn about the 12 animals. These animals are part of the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese Calligraphy Challenge

Chinese calligraphy is an ancient and revered art form that children can easily be introduced to during Chinese New Year celebrations. The Chinese Calligraphy Challenge encourages kids to try writing basic Chinese characters like “Fu” (福, meaning good luck) or “Chun” (春, meaning spring).

How to Play?

Materials Needed: Brush pens, ink, or markers, and paper.
Instructions: Provide kids with simple Chinese characters to copy. You can either teach them how to write these characters or let them try it on their own. To make it competitive, offer prizes for the most artistic or accurate characters.
Variation: You can also turn this game into a collaborative activity, where children work together to write a large banner with Chinese characters.

Cultural Learning

Calligraphy is a significant part of Chinese culture. Learning the meaning behind the characters helps kids appreciate the language. It also helps them understand the beauty and complexity of Chinese writing.

Red Envelope Toss

The red envelope, or “Hong Bao” (红包), is a symbol of luck and prosperity during the Chinese New Year. The Red Envelope Toss adds a fun twist to this tradition by allowing children to create their own red envelopes and toss them into various targets.

How to Play:

Materials Needed: Craft paper, markers, scissors, and boxes or baskets.
Instructions: Have kids create their own red envelopes. Once completed, they can toss them into targets at varying distances. The farther the target, the more points it’s worth.
Variation: For an added challenge, you can have children toss their envelopes through hoops or onto specific spots.

Cultural Learning:

The red envelope is traditionally given during the Chinese New Year to symbolize good luck and prosperity. This game ties directly into that tradition while adding an element of friendly competition.

Dragon Dance Relay

The Dragon Dance is a well-known Chinese tradition, symbolizing strength, good fortune, and the driving away of evil spirits. The Dragon Dance Relay mimics this exciting and colorful dance.

How to Play?

Materials Needed: A long piece of fabric (or multiple fabrics for a larger group) and space to move.
Instructions: Children hold the fabric and move together to create the undulating motion of the dragon. As a relay, each group must pass the fabric to another team member without breaking the formation.
Variation: Add obstacles or challenges along the way to make the race more exciting.

Cultural Learning

The Dragon Dance is performed during Chinese New Year celebrations to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. Through this game, kids will learn about the cultural importance of the dragon.

How to Choose the Best Chinese New Year Game for Kids?

When selecting games for your Chinese New Year celebration, consider the following:

Age-appropriate: Make sure the game is suitable for the children’s age group.
Space requirements: Some games may require more space (like the Dragon Dance), while others, like Bingo or the Calligraphy Challenge, can be played indoors.
Cultural education: Look for games that teach kids about the Chinese New Year’s significance and traditions, such as the Chinese Zodiac Relay or Scavenger Hunt.

Conclusion

Incorporating lunar new year games into your celebration is a fantastic way to create lasting memories while educating children about Chinese culture. These games bring joy and laughter. They also foster an understanding of traditions, symbols, and stories. These elements make the Chinese New Year a unique and meaningful celebration.

Whether you’re introducing kids to the Chinese Zodiac or teaching them about calligraphy, these games are fun. You can also enjoy a lantern toss together. These activities will make your Lunar New Year celebration memorable. They will be full of fun and cultural learning.

Lunar New Year Games | Fun & Educational Activities for 2026