Holiday art

Lunar New Year Art Projects for Kids

Lunar New Year is celebrated by many communities in East and Southeast Asia and around the world. These dragon and zodiac projects give students a respectful, creative way to learn about the celebration. Start with a featured lesson, then browse free ideas and drawing prompts.

Featured Ms Artastic lessons

Ready-to-teach lessons from my shop. Each card shows the grade range listed for that lesson.

Lunar New Year Dragon Art ProjectGrades 3 to 5See the lesson

Lunar New Year Grid Drawing WorksheetsGrades 1 to 4See the lesson

Lunar New Year Dragon CraftGrades 2 to 5See the lesson

Year of the Monkey Art LessonGrades 4 to 7See the lesson

Year of the Monkey Coloring SheetGrades 2 to 5See the lesson

Year of the Monkey ActivityGrades 2 to 5See the lesson

Free blog lessons and ideas

Lunar New Year Art Lessons for Kids: Meaningful Classroom & Homeschool IdeasRead the post

January Art Teaching Tips for Classrooms and HomeschoolRead the post

Art Through Cultures: A Global Perspective for Art History in the ClassroomRead the post

Free tools

January Drawing Prompts31 daily drawing ideas for January.Open February Drawing Prompts29 daily drawing ideas for February.Open Ancient Chinese Art for KidsPainting, calligraphy and ceramics from China.Open Drawing Prompt of the Day365 prompts plus a sketch timer for daily sketchbook time.Open Art Lesson PlannerA week-by-week art plan by grade, season or goal.Open All Free Art ToolsEvery free Ms Artastic tool in one place.Open

Supplies and picture books

Supplies that help

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Questions teachers and parents ask

When is Lunar New Year?

The date changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar. It usually falls between late January and mid-February.

What are the zodiac animals?

Each year is linked to one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. Many classrooms make art about the animal of the current year.

Do these projects work for homeschool?

Yes. The lessons are written for a classroom but the steps work at home too. Read each lesson description before you prep.

▶ Video lessons

Lunar New Year video art lessons

Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.