Chinese New Year--2009 the Year of the Ox

I have been looking for a few fun ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year with the boys. Chinese New Year begins on January 26. This is the Year of the Ox. I think that it is so good for kids to grow up appreciating other cultures & we always enjoy celebrating the holidays. I think we will order Chinese take-out & try out these fun ideas below.

Go to this link for a Chinese New Year Story (from Preschool Express.com).

I know that there are ways to make fortune cookies, but it seems too time consuming for me. I came across a way to change out the fortune in already made cookies. It is on this website for the directions.

Here are the directions:

1. Cut the paper into 10 (3-by-1-inch) strips. Use the markers, crayons, or colored pencils to write a message or draw a picture on each of the strips.
2. Microwave a cookie on high for 20 seconds. Check it, and if it's still stiff, microwave it again in 5- or 10-second increments until it's pliable but not too hot to handle. (Microwaves vary, so practice on a few cookies first.)
3. Quickly open the cookie and remove the fortune. Slide the new fortune in, pinch the cookie back together, and let it harden for 30 seconds.

Another thing that I have read is that for Chinese New Year you give the kids a red envelope with money (a shiney penny maybe)or a special note in it You could also give chocolate coins. I saw some chocolate coins at the dollar store in December.

Because of "Ni Hao, Kai-lan"
Nick Jr. also has some fun Chinese New Year printables. There is even a way to make paper lanterns.

Paper Plate Fans (from from Preschool Express)
You will need some paper plates and large craft sticks for this activity.
Cut paper plates in half.
Have children decorate a plate half however they wish, using marking pens.
Then glue or tape a large craft stick on the back of the plate for a fan handle.
Variation: Older children could make a simple fan by accordion pleating a piece of paper.

Another really cute idea that I liked was Ribbon Dancing (from the same website above). My boys LOVE to dance.
Give each of your children a 2” x 4’ ribbon strip.
Let them practice dancing with the ribbon by moving the ribbon up, down, and around.
Be sure children are spaced far apart for this activity.
For safety reasons, do not let your children play with the ribbon strips unsupervised.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Stay tuned for the next installment featuring Valentines Day Stuff!