Chinese New Year is a fifteen day celebration in January or February. This celebration is observed by roughly a quarter of the world's population.

Chinese Lion Mask Craft and Games:

Lions are considered good luck and thought to ward off evil spirits. Performers of the traditional Lion Dance make and wear lion masks during the Lantern Festival each year. If you are having a Chinese New Year Party involving young children, a wonderful craft which easily evolves further into practicing or having their own Lion Dance, is creating a Chinese Lion Mask.

You will need:

• Paper plates

• Yellow (1), Red (2), and Green (2, two inch diameter circles for lion eyes)

• Red Ribbon (12 inch long strips of ½ inch wide)

• 18"" of elastic ribbon

Cut yellow and red construction paper into strips, and alternate colors. Glue onto paper plate edges.

Cut yellow paper into eyes, and glue onto the plate.

Mark holes for the centers of the eyes, so the child will be able to see through. (Depending on ages, adults may do this.)

Use red construction paper to create noses, mouths, etc.

Attach elastic ribbon to hold the masks on, by making a hole, inserting ends, and knotting.

Participants can wear lion masks and enact their own, or participate in a Lion Mask Parade. Allow each child to vote for categories such as 'best mask', 'scariest mask', 'funniest mask', etc.

Chinese New Year Banners: Fun Craft Game To Display

A good activity at Children's Chinese New Year Parties is creating traditional Chinese New Year Banners. You will first need to find and print out the symbols for the words, 'Happy', 'New', and 'Year' for guests to use as a guide.

Provide long sheets of orange and red construction paper, into which you have used a hole punch to make small holes into which red or orange yarn can be inserted and tied to form a hanger.
Use black finger paint, and allow guests to create their own ""Happy New Year"" banner which may be taken home as a party favor!

Party games which incorporate a craft, and party favor into one activity are often the favorites for everyone, especially the hosts and hostesses, since it often saves time and money, two very precious commodities!