10 Interesting Chinese New Year Facts for Kids
While we may have already celebrated our ‘New Year’, did you know that some countries celebrate New Year differently and at different times of the year?
Chinese New Year is known to be one of the most exciting celebrations in the world. With its colourful traditions, tasty food and rich history, it is a great topic to explore with your children to teach them about different cultures and how other countries celebrate the New Year.
At Premier Education, we have put together a list of facts about the Chinese New Year festival that we’re sure children will love learning about.
1. Chinese New Year is also known as the ‘Spring Festival’
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival because of its connections to the lunar calendar and Spring arriving (even though it may still be freezing in the UK). Chinese New Year typically marks the end of the coldest days and the start of warmer weather on its way. Many people also believe that Chinese New Year symbolises hope and renewal.
Families across China and other parts of the world use this time to clean their homes, decorate with hundreds of bright red decorations and get ready for a fresh start. Cleaning your home before Chinese New Year is believed to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year. So, why not use this to encourage your little one’s to help you clean up around the house to celebrate! It’s a win-win!
2. Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year
Unlike English New Year celebrations that occur on 1st January, Chinese New Year falls on a different day every year. The date of the festival each year is decided by the lunar calendar, however, this usually falls between 21st January and 20th February.
Last year, Chinese New Year began on 10th February, whereas this year, in 2025, Chinese New Year will be happening on Wednesday, 29th January.
It is also worth mentioning, in the lunar calendar, every year is represented by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. In 2025, it will be the year of the snake.
3. The festival is celebrated for 16 days
Chinese New Year continues for more than just one day. According to Chinese tradition, the public holiday lasts a full 16 days, ending with the famous Lantern Festival. Each of the days has its own unique traditions, from large family dinners and temple visits to lion and dragon dances and releasing lanterns into the sky. How great does that sound!
The lantern festival falls on the 15th day of the New Year celebrations and is known across the world. This is where families light and release lanterns into the sky, symbolising their wishes for the coming year.
4. Children receive red envelopes with money inside
One of the most exciting parts of the festival for children is receiving red envelopes or ‘hongbao’. These envelopes are filled with money and given as gifts by parents, grandparents and other relatives to the children in the family. Red is the colour of good luck in Chinese culture and is believed to scare off evil spirits.
5. The lion and dragon dances are world famous
If you’ve ever seen pictures of the lunar new year or Chinese New Year celebrations, you have most likely seen the pictures and videos of the lion and dragon dances. These traditional dances are done to bring good luck into the New Year and scare away evil spirits.
The dancers wear colourful costumes and drums, cymbals and gongs are played. The dragon dance is known throughout the world and involves several dancers moving together to make the dragon move like a snake through the parade. Did you know? Dragons are a symbol of strength and power in Chinese culture.
6. The most fireworks are used across the world
Here’s another interesting fact for you! Did you know, Chinese New Year is the time of year when the most fireworks are used across the world? The Chinese tradition of setting off fireworks dates back to ancient times when people used bamboo sticks to create loud noises to scare off the spirits.
7. You will see the colour red everywhere!
You may have already guessed, but red is the most important colour during the Chinese New Year festivities. It is known to be a symbol of good fortune, happiness and luck. People wear the colour red, decorate their houses and give out red envelopes during the festivities.
Families across China and other countries decorate their homes with paper lanterns, cutouts and more. You can even encourage your little ones to take part and make their own Chinese New Year decorations this year!
8. There will be lots of delicious food
During the New Year celebrations, families gather together to enjoy delicious traditional food like dumplings, spring rolls and fish. Did you know, the family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve is the most important part of the celebrations? The foods enjoyed during the New Year symbolise good fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture. Each food eaten during the New Year has a special meaning. For example, dumplings represent wealth because their shape mimics ancient Chinese gold ingots.
9. Chinese New Year is celebrated all over the world!
Chinese New Year isn’t just celebrated across China. People in other countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam are known to have their own traditions for the New Year. There are also large Chinese communities across London and other areas of the UK. Do you have a Chinese parade near you this year?
10. Why learning about Chinese New Year matters
Teaching your little ones about Chinese New Year and the Chinese calendar is a great way to introduce them to another culture and traditions from across the world. It encourages your children to be curious and accepting of other cultures.
Which facts did your kids enjoy the most? Let us know!
