Chinese New Year Lantern Game
Need a Chinese New Year art project to design a lantern for your bulletin board? Imagine your hallway decorated with these Chinese lanterns and writing prompts for the Lunar New Year. The step by step drawing guide, PowerPoint and demonstration video make perfect no prep, art sub plans for elementary art.
That’s right. Sit back while I teach your students how to play the roll a dice game and design the Chinese lantern myself! Kids can also choose patterns using the ‘you pick’ worksheet or digital spinners—whatever works best for you!
Plus, it’ll help cash-strapped teachers like you plan projects for Chinese New Year using only markers. Yes, you can watercolor paint with markers!
What’s Included
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this art project. All will motivate kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” art worksheet for kids to choose their own patterns
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick patterns and you can integrate technology
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Chinese lantern template which kids can draw directly on it or transfer it to heavy drawing paper
- Drawing practice worksheet, so kids can practice drawing patterns
- 2 Writing prompts, so you can tie this drawing project to literacy
- 2 Coloring pages that you can use for absent students or hand out as a classroom prize
- Helpful Tips & Tricks handout with teacher directions to help guide the lesson
- Step by Step Video Tutorial, with optional captions
How to Use My Chinese New Year Lantern Project
The best part about this lantern project is that it’s flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your classroom. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, indoor recess, or even an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Chinese New Year Lantern Project)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 1 Demonstration Video
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
Why You’ll Love It
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had Chinese exchange students visit our school and we used this activity while they visited during Chinese New Year. Very fun and creative!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a wonderful & fun activity to do in the classroom to continue their learning on Chinese New Year. It also turned out to be a wonderful addition to our display in the hallway!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A great activity for Chinese New Year Art. Students loved creating their own lanterns and were extremely engaged when using the dice to help “choose” each pattern for the different sections. We used watercolours to paint them and they turned out beautifully! Great resource!
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Rachel D. –
Beautiful resource! My students loved this activity and stayed engaged.
Sarah D. –
This is a fun activity to go along with any unit or book study on this holiday!
Charity R. –
My students love this resource and found it very engaging.
Amanda Z. –
This has been a great resource for my students, thank you!
Derek M. –
Excellent product. I used it with my grade 4 classroom.
Grading in Gold (Teacher-Author) –
We loved these during Lunar New Year! It was to learn about it and then do the craft.
Teacher’s Toolbox (Teacher-Author) –
I used the templates and activity to enhance our Ancient China unit! Kids loved it!
Lisa R S. –
My students loved using this for a January project. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It took no time at all to prepare it so it was super easy in a time crunch!
Marta O. –
The lanterns turned out gorgeous. What a great activity. Thank you
AZteacher49 (Teacher-Author) –
Helpful resource for my gifted class. They enjoyed this. Thank you!
Cindy Choi –
Always a great buddy activity! My students and the little ones enjoyed using your resources!
Sadie P. –
My students loved doing this! I used it in my Chinese New Year unit!
sharon T. –
Great product. My students enjoyed this activity.
Kaitlynn Meyer –
Such a great resource! Thank you so much! Will definitely use it again next year!
Albertine J. –
This resource captured the spirit of Chinese New Year and the lanterns were gorgeous!
Paige Bolling –
My students and I enjoyed this resource! It was a great addition to our Chinese New Year unit.
Cindy Halvorson –
Thanks for a great resource! It worked well with my students. 🙂
Stacy D. –
Creative way to learn more about Chinese New Year! My students really enjoyed the afternoon!
Sarah E. –
After watching a video about Lunar New Year, I had my after school club make these lanterns to take home. They had a ton of fun and it was easy to create.
Amber M. –
We only used the art activity from this and my students really enjoyed it. Their lanterns turned out beautiful.
Grace’s Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
The students loved this resource! It was creative and kept them engaged!
Beg – Borrow – Steal (Teacher-Author) –
Perfect for my GT students! 5th graders loved it.
Carrie J. –
This was a great resource for my students. Thank you!
Iris V. –
My students loved creating their own lanterns for Lunar New Year. They loved all the different design styles. This was an amazing and easy resource to use. Thank you!
Jessica Z. –
My student loved making the lantern. It was such a fun way to incorporate art into the lesson.
MELISSA M. –
We enjoyed the art activity in the resource. It was a great way to celebrate Chinese New Year, while getting the opportunity to be creative and the time to connect with one another!
Kara C. –
This was so much fun to incorporate into our Chinese New Year study. The students loved it!
Santana Ruehl –
Such a wonderful & fun activity to do in the classroom to continue their learning on Chinese New Year. It also turned out to be a wonderful addition to our display in the hallway!
amanda C. –
this was an easy 2-day art project that allowed everyone to feel successful
Miss Aimee’s Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
Perfect to use in conjunction with our Chinese New Year learning.
Ellen V. –
My fifth graders LOVED making these lanterns and learning about the Chinese New Year!
Shannon B. –
My students loved using this to help celebrate Lunar New Year!
Nilce J. –
My students loved creating their lanterns. They loved how no two looked alike. Thank you so much. This was such a fun writing and creating assignment!
Tiffany J. –
This was such a fun way to make this craft and they turned out beautifully!
Rachel L. –
I loved this resource. I love crafts that are not only colouring but hands on learning also about different Chinese patterns. They turned out gorgeous. I laminated them and added ribbon and they turned out lovely.
Karen C. –
This was a beautiful resource for exploring Lunar New Year.
Kathleen K. –
My students had a blast with this resource after we learned about Chinese New Year. Thank you!
Nikole Bohn –
Fun craft activity to use with my class to kick off the start of Lunar New Year.
Lyn C. –
My students enjoyed completing this project though many of them wished they could have made 3-D lanterns.
Megan H. –
Great resource that engaged students of various learning skills!
Andrea L. –
My students made the most beautiful Lanterns. They enjoyed the slides game to tell them which design to make on their lanterns. I can’t wait to hang them up for Lunar New Year.
erin trecker –
My students stayed on task and enjoyed this learning experience.
Flourish in Fourth –
My students loved using these to learn more about the Chinese New Year! We are excited to display these in the hallway!
Amber H. –
This was a fun activity. I allowed the students to choose which patterns they wanted to use. Their lanterns were so creative. I also loved teaching them how to paint using markers and water.
Kylie B. –
We used this as a supplemental activity after learning about Chinese New Year. My students loved designing the lanterns!
Devieka S. –
My students love using this resource! Thank you for helping me save time!
2 Grade Panda-monium (Teacher-Author) –
Students really enjoyed
Fall in Love with Teaching (Teacher-Author) –
This was great. Thank-you!
Paula R. –
I loved the design examples. My students created beautiful lanterns.
Karina R. –
My kids really liked the activities in this resource. The lamps were a really cool project.
Katherine E. –
Fun art project for Lunar New Year!
Carrie M. –
Loved this resource and so did my students. Great resource!
jessica G. –
Cute for New Year
The Cozy Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
This was a fun and calming art activity for Lunar New Year.
The Turquoise Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved it!
Greg M. –
loved this resource!
particia B. –
My students enjoyed this resource! We hung the lanterns around the classroom! Thanks!
Megan O. –
Great resource for Lunar New Year!
Stephanie A. –
Great early finishers project!
Allanah F. –
Easy to follow, and make a beautiful wall display for Lunar New Year.
Anh Thu N. –
A fun activity to celebrate Lunar New Year with my class. I included this in sub plans and it was super simple for them to follow. Thank you!
Tina A. –
This was a fun and engaging activity to complete with my students.
Alissa M. –
I used this resource as a fun activity after learning about Chinese New Year. Students made really cool designs.
The Tiny Tornado Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
My students have loved using this resource. The attention to detail is amazing, and I love how easy it was to use. The directions were clear, and my students were very engaged! Thank you!
Kirsten L. –
My students loved this activity!
Christina A. –
We used this resource with our country study on China.
Alison L. –
This is a great resource and my students loved the activities. Thank you.
Melody Lee Q. –
Excellent resource.
Malyssa M. –
We loved this activity. My kids really enjoyed creating the lanterns & were super happy when I hung them in our hallway!
History Palace (Teacher-Author) –
Great fun.
Hemingway in 4th Grade (Teacher-Author) –
Love how easy these art projects are to print and do. My students always enjoy doing them.
Rachel S. –
Awesome resource! My students loved choosing the spinner they would use to create their lanterns.
Melissa Z. –
My students thoroughly enjoyed this craft! Fun and easily adaptable, will use it again!
Teaching Around the Bay (Teacher-Author) –
Great resource, students were engaged. Great activity to leave with a sub as well!
Oake’s Acorns (Teacher-Author) –
Thank you!
Sara Weinstock –
My students loved creating these lanterns! I used this resource as an option for students. For the students who are very nervous in art, this was a godsend! Some students chose to play the game, some decided to choose their patterns from the handout, while others created their own patterns completely. ItÕs great for inspiration and relived the pressure of choosing for students that have difficulty with that. Plus playing the game interested the students that are Òtoo cool for school.Ó
Holley G. –
Students loved rolling the die to determine which pattern to use. Fun art project!
Geralyn D. –
My students enjoyed this resource so much that we had to extend it beyond the week we were working on The Lunar New Year. They found any chance they could to work on it!
Lisa E. –
Great activity. My student really enjoyed it.
Harvest R. –
Love these! We read about Lunar New Year and made these lanterns to hang in our classroom. I had students make 3 of them and then we glued them together to make a 3D lantern. Our students loved it!
Daphne M. –
We used the idea of the lanterns and modified it to meet the needs of my current class – fantastic art projects resulted!
Kimberly S. –
My students had fun learning about lunar new year. They liked being able to create a lantern and the quick writing activity that was attached. It made for a great board in the hallway to show case my students creativity. I liked that it had per-made options and blank lanterns as well.
DanaLei K. –
My students enjoyed designing their own lanterns and making connections with their own cultures.
Ashley E. –
All my students enjoyed learning about the paper lanterns and creating their own!
Megan W. –
My students LOVED this resource. Thank you!
Light Up Learning Labs (Teacher-Author) –
A fun resource that my students loved! Thank you so much.
Amarya H. –
I really enjoyed this resource. It was engaging for my 7/8’s. Thank you!
Hearon’s History (Teacher-Author) –
Absolutely wonderful to leave with a sub! We used them as door decoration for the rest of the week.
Alexandra S. –
Loved this! Used it for a bulletin board in the hall.
Jona Morthole –
My students love the choice sheets. They especially were happy to be creating something pretty. My only thought would be to have some Chinese writing symbols as choices.
Helen S. –
These turned out beautiful.
Megan G. –
I loved this activity! Thank you for helping enrich the cultural learning of my students.
Taylor S. –
My 2nd grade students absolutely loved this activity! They were able to complete the lanterns and write about them as well. Thank you for such a great resource!
Katherine L. –
This was super engaging for my students!
Christy C. –
my students really enjoyed getting to be creative as well as having a guideline to follow.
Pamela R. –
Fun
Cheryl L. –
Thank you!
The Vagabond Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
I used this as an early finisher activity, and my 7th graders loved it. They are all about opportunities to Òhelp meÓ decorate the classroom.
Vivian Stein –
Great resource!
Jennifer S. –
Students enjoyed the interactive dice toss to pick patterns.
Stacey Steinbergher –
My kids loved creating their Chinese lantern and writing their opinion about Chinese lanterns and the steps they will take to prosper this year.
Karley Bohner –
My students enjoyed this project! I love having an art and writing component within lessons to help with student engagement.
Shauna H. –
This resource was very engaging for all my students, both in persona d online. It allowed them to display their artistic abilities in a fun manner. It connected very well to our discussions about Lunar New year as I used it in a literacy station. I joined 3 of the students lanterns together to make it 3D and hung them up for display.
Michelle Chamberlain –
My students loved making this! It was fun to see what they created for their lanterns. They looked awesome up on the wall to help with the celebration of Lunar New Year!
carol R. –
My students loved creating the lantern, thank you.
Gregg Landry –
Great resource.
Katy H. –
WonderfA130ul resource! Very useful!
Nicole F. –
My students enjoyed this resource.
Passionate Prairie Pupils (Teacher-Author) –
I come back to these all the time and use all different kids. Its straight forward for my kids and they expect the same routine each time. And the activities are fun.
Kate W. –
This resource went perfectly while my students were learning about Chinese New Year. These lanterns look great in the hallway and my students loved showing off their artistic skills.
Ashley C. –
Used during an enrichment unit
Lisa B. –
I used this for an art lesson with my class and they loved it!
Lisa L. –
Used for holiday celebration
Michelle M. –
Excellent resource!
Sarah G. –
This was a great activity for early finishers!
Cindy G. –
This was perfect to help teach Chinese New Year.
Profe Gillis –
Just what I was looking for.
lynda B. –
Great way to celebrate Lunar New Year! I used it with grade 5 in 2020, grade 3 in 2021 and I see from the listing it is already updated for Lunar New year 2022!!! Fantastic! Used some the activities for my music class as well.
Whitney L. –
Great resource! It was engaging and my students loved the chance to create something to represent the new year!
Braving Education (Teacher-Author) –
I use this resource each year. It’s always filled with great information on the Chinese New Year. We then do the art activities so that we have decorations for our Chinese New Year Party.
Amber B. –
Great resource to help students learn and understand about the Lunar New Year
Lavender Learners (Teacher-Author) –
They loved this activity
Oh Holy Fourth Frade (Teacher-Author) –
Kids had fun working on this project!
Teresa W. –
Great for tying in Chinese New Year with teaching the elements of line.
Laura S. –
A great activity for Chinese New Year Art. Students loved creating their own lanterns and were extremely engaged when using the dice to help “choose” each pattern for the different sections. We used watercolours to paint them and they turned out beautifully! Great resource!
Stephanie P. –
My students REALLY enjoyed the spinner that is included! Great resource to support a Chinese New Year unit.
Joni C. –
Fun and Engaging!
Jinhua L. –
This resource saves Chinese New Year for distance learning! My Chinese immersion students quite enjoy it by just doing the drawing all together as a class. Thank you!
Less Chaos More Learning (Teacher-Author) –
Great resource
MissPractical F. –
Fantastic Resource! Thank you very much!
Charlotte M. –
Great, thank you!
Veronica J. –
This lesson was a great resource for synchronous learning. It saved me so much time in lesson planning and resource gathering.
Debbie P –
Thank you! The spinner was really easy and fun to use in distance learning.
Khadisia Persaud –
Used for a diversity project.
Nicole Golf –
My students love creating their lanterns. It is perfect for Lunar New Year.
Tammy Eglinton –
Students enjoyed doing this project after they finished taking their test. The step by step directions make it easy. We did it without rolling the dice. I just told them to draw a different design in each section. Some students also drew it digitally.
Erin R. –
Great! I recommend this resource.
Iris Y. –
Great!
Nicole F. –
This was very useful for my ELL students.
Stacey M. –
great product!
Aman N. –
A great last minute activity to celebrate the Lunar Year and have nice art to display. The students found it easy to follow!
Lynne W. –
I used this resource as a last minute change to our plans for MS/HS International Club when something came up and our guest speaker couldn’t join us. It was a great afternoon and both our middle school and high school students enjoyed it.
Crystal V. –
Used this as an art project to tie in with the Chinese New Year.
Alice L. –
My students and I love it. :))
jennifer H. –
excellent resource for distance learning.
Daphne Krupa –
Kids loved this activity!
mahalia.rochelle (verified owner) –
This lantern as well as the Chinese fan that I purchased will go along nicely with our other “Chinese cultured” artworks
Michelle B. –
My students loved doing this, and they all turned out really neat!
Lorne B. –
This was a really great addition to our school wide lunar new year celebrations
Michael A. –
My students really liked this resource. Great Work!!
Sharon Flandi –
Loved it!
Lilys Learning Garden (Teacher-Author) –
Thanks! Just what I needed. My students enjoyed the activities.
Rebecca R. –
This was great for Chinese New Year. My students were very engages and loved creating the lanterns.
Chera S. –
My students enjoyed making these.
Brooke A. –
This is a great resource for sub plans/Ancient China!
Sharinna I. –
This was a perfect activity for the beginning of the year!
Jose Alvarez –
Fun art activity for students.
Web of Science (Teacher-Author) –
thanks
MSMagic (Teacher-Author) –
This was a great little craft ( we did not do the accompanying writing) to celebrate Lunar New year! Thank you!
Michele S. –
The students created this in STEAM class and loved it!
Mrs Mac Education Attack (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved creating their own Chinese lanterns. The roll a pattern activity was their favorite!
Ms Flores’ Classroom (Teacher-Author) –
So much fun! The kids really enjoy making these decorations for a Chinese New Year bulletin board!
Austin B. –
Great for my students! Thank you!
Sierra F. –
Great for sub
Teaching To Go (Teacher-Author) –
We did these as part of a lesson on the Chinese (Lunar) New Year. The 5th grade kids LOVED doing them.
Paula Radice (verified owner) –
Love the extras with this pack – the self-assessment sheets etc. Very generous and excellent quality for the price. Can’t wait to use it!
Sonia F. –
I loved that there were different options for all a range of abilities.
Maile L. –
Awesome resource! Thank you soooo much! And so much fun!
Annmarie M. –
Great coloring activity!
Kelly D. –
LOVE this! I used with my 2nd grade class and they loved it! The lanterns look great hanging in our room!
Laura W. –
Students lA178oved it!
Tiffany N. –
My students loved the choices of patterns and how to color in the lantern!
Robin C. –
Great project! Can’t wait to use it this week.
Alfonso V. –
Great, thank you!
Jennifer M. –
Love it!
Janelle Pegram Glitter and Gold Teaching (Teacher-Author) –
I love that this project is great for the variety of grades that I teach! Thanks!
RICHARD M. –
Such an easy way to engage my students for Chinese New year.
karen favaloo –
Great product
Karen V. –
My class really enjoyed this activity – thanks!
Alice S. –
Great resource for our multi-cultural lessons.
Christine Toft –
Thanks!
Caroline M. –
Creative art activity during Chinese New Year
Mersedes S. –
Fun! The students loved it!
Mandy S. –
Great resource! Thank you!
Amanda Mason –
Super cute and fun for our holidays around the world
Brianna M. –
fun
kathyquinn1612 (verified owner) –
Kids had fun making their designs and using the ones provided with this. Perfect start for a unit for the Chinese New Year or Chinese Folk Tales.
Deborah W. –
Love these activities!!
Kate Haikey –
Students decorated these as we talked about Chinese New Year and created a short poem to write in the middle. These are beautiful to display for Open House nights as well! You can also teach color symbolism and task older students to create a design that represents their poem. Beautiful resource!
Jessica Matthews –
These look fantastic on display and really encouraged my kids to be creative.
Sheridan L. –
Great lesson to leave for subs. Love it. Thank you!
Susan Vilar –
I haven’t mentioned this yet… I LOVE that all your products include a PowerPoint! I also love the directions you give on the step-by-step pages. My school has a sister school in China, and these will be PERFECT decor when they come to visit!
Michele H. –
My students loved this activity and the finished products were amazing! Thank you!
Rachel Greene -the tattooed teacher (Teacher-Author) –
these looked so good hanging around the room! I love all the patterns
Jenna M. –
My grade 3 students loved this. Lanterns turned out very beautiful.
Christine C. –
Very fun and engaging resource!! Kids loved decorating the halls with their lanterns.
Pamela J. –
These were fun and pretty. Thank you.
Claire Tilson –
Great independent activity that turns out looking very nice and each students’ finished product is unique!
Leah Matsuura –
Love this no-prep activity! My students’ lanterns turned out beautifully!
Jennifer E. –
Kids found this activity very relaxing.
Elana W. –
My students had so much fun with this and they got very creative with it.
Stephanie Acevedo –
Perfect for sub plans!
Kallie T. –
Can’t wait to use with my sixth graders!
Tracy B. –
I did this for Saturday school and my 1st grade classroom. They all loved doing this project.
Meredith K. –
My students loved this activity,and the finished products looked great displayed in my room. Thank you!
Katie R. –
We had Chinese exchange students visit our school and we used this activity while they visited during Chinese New Year. Very fun and creative!
Madness in the Middle (Teacher-Author) –
The kids loved getting to create their own Chinese lantern!
Karen D. –
Students loved this activity. Their lanterns were unique and very colorful.
Gold Star Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
Kids had fun making their designs and using the ones provided with this. Perfect start for a unit for the Chinese New Year or Chinese Folk Tales.
Michelle W. –
Great extension activity
Diana Agustin –
Thank you! Was perfect to hang in time for Chinese New Year!
Casey M. –
Love!
Brittany B. –
This is great! Thanks
Heleno Suarez –
Students loved it!
Christine H. –
This was a lifesaver when I had the flu and needed a last minute sub! I love the art and writing combo and my students always get excited to do these activities.
Vanessa F. –
The finished product looks so amazing! Great, quick, project for the holiday.
The Learning Lagoon (Teacher-Author) –
My class loved this activity!
Morgan Meredith –
Very aesthetically-pleasing resource. Challenging for fourth graders, and a great purchase for Chinese New Year!
Mikayla Simcoe –
Loved this resource. This looks like a lot of fun
Cristina M. –
Kids really enjoyed doing this.
Nicole T. –
Great Resource!
Casey Andrews –
thanks!
Autumn W. –
A great activity for those days when you need a little something extra
Jerrice Youngberg –
Adorable and Fun!
Leah H. –
My students really enjoyed this activity! Thank you!
Jessica Schickedanz –
Easy and well planned, thanks!
Jenifer S. –
Love all of these roll art resources!
Aman M. –
My first grade class really enjoyed this!
Sarah B. –
So much fun for Chinese New Years!
Leandrea Carpenter –
Fun project, thanks!
Pat Keating –
Fun!
Crystal R. –
Love it! Thank you!
PATRICIA S. –
Fun activity.
Annette Y. –
Exactly what I needed for Chinese New Year Week!!!
Stephanie Reiter –
Thanks! Great activity!
Jennifer S. –
This will be perfect for my middle school world cultures class!
The primary resource shop (Teacher-Author) –
We didn’t use dice because I didn’t have enough, but they used the pattern page so they could have a reference of what to do. They are coming out super cute and they kids are enjoying this activity.
Mary G. –
Love it !
Sarah R. –
I’m so excited to use this in the classroom. This will be a great way to keep them engaged throughout the whole lesson.
Francine B. –
Excellent!
Simone M. –
Great idea for students who get stuck on what to draw.