Chinese Zodiac Crafts for Kids
We have a whole section of dedicated to Chinese New Year crafts already.. however, as every year we have a different Chinese Zodiac Animal, I thought it would be fun to bring together a list of some ideas for each animal. These compliment our collection of Chinese Zodiac Origami projects.
So depending on your interest, you can skip straight to the section that is relevant to you. Some sections will link to “bigger” sections with more animal crafts of the same sort. Some (for now) will “only” have 3 ideas for you. We also have a set of Chinese Zodia Bookmarks you may like!
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals are:
As mentioned there are 12 Chinese Zodia Animals in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
You can learn about the power of the Chinese Animal Zodiac here.
When is Chinese New Year 2022?
Chinese New Year 2022 is on Tuesday the 1st February 2022 and it is the Year of the Tiger!
First up, we have a lovely set of 12 Zodiac Animal Greeting Cards:
Here is a set of Drawing Prompts!
Or grab our 12 Zodiac Coloring Pages/ Greeting Cards
1. Year of the Rat Crafts (2008 – 2020 – 2032)
Now Rats aren’t really a typical “craft theme”… mainly because the rival the cuter MOUSE! So, I do have an amazing set of MOUSE DIYs.. and I think if you substitute the colours with greys, blacks and red, mainy of these mouse crafts would be perfect for the Year of the Rat!
If I was picking just ONE Mouse Craft for the Year of the Rat…
I would most definitely make these easy Mouse Finger Puppets in grey and black! The long faces are perfect for Rats too:
Or how about these Rat Paper Hand Puppets!
I love these Origami Mice – they would make perfect Origami Rats too.. don’t you think? But be warned, these are intermediate level – i.e. not ideal for younger kids.
2. Year of the Ox – 2009 – 2021 – 2033
Time for the year of the Ox. The Ox.. as little like the Rat and mouse, can be represent by some cow, highland cow or yak crafts. So here are a couple we have already – with a more extensive collection of Bull Crafts here.
All our Year of the Ox crafts here.
Picking out our favourites, it would have to include:
Let’s kick things off with our super fun and favourite Corner Bookmark Crafts. And yes, we really do have a corner bookmark for every occassion, including this Year of the Ox Corner Bookmark DIY! I do think he looks rather like Ferdinand too!!
Similarly we have some adorable Cow Origami Envelopes! Changes up the colours for Year of the Ox and make use of our free Happy New Year printable.
Surely this cute TP Roll Yak or Highland Cow would pass as an Ox?
Or how about this handprint Yak.. would also work nicely as a handprint OX for Chinese New Year? Maybe make it in red?
3. Year of the Tiger – 2010 – 2022 – 2032
We do love tigers! Such a fun craft all year round.. but of course, especially special for the Year of the Tiger in 2022!
We have a whole set of tiger crafts for you.. but here is a little taster:
Simple Tiger Printing for Kids – this is a super lovely activity especially for toddlers and preschoolers! As you get to do some painting and use a template to cut your tiger out afterwards. Obviouslly, a little assistance will be needed at that point.
Learn how to make these cute and easy Tiger Pop Up Cards! These are so cute. We made little “heart” pop ups as part of this, but just switch the colours out (reds and yellows are great for Chinese New Year) and maybe add some Chinese symbols (instead of the bees) and you have yourself a super cute Chinews New Year craft!
Learn how to make this adorable and easy Tiger Origami Face. Use it as a Chinese New Year decoration (wouldn’t they be adorable as a tiger garland?) or… combine it with some Happy Chinese New Year Printables and make some cool greeting cards.
First Palette has a great Tiger Mask Printable
Or try this easy Paper Plate Tiger from No Time for Flashcards!
4. Year of the Rabbit – 2011 – 2023 – 2035
Well the year of the Rabbit is an easy one.. mainly because we do have SOOO many cute Easter Bunny Crafts!!! Again, if you wanted to make them more “Chinese New Year” appropriate.. have a play with the colours and introduce reds and golds. Find ALL our Rabbit Crafts here – with my favourite three below!
If I had to pick three rabbit crafts for Chinese New Year, I would go for:
Try the EASY Origami Rabbit or the slightly more intermediate Origami Rabbit.
Rocking Rabbits – as they are so fun and easy. You could add Chinese New Year messages instead of the grass!
Because you HAVE To have a Bookmark Corner… right? Love these easy Rabbit Bookmarks! See the full set of Chinese Zodia Bookmarks here.
5. Year of the Dragon – 2012 – 2024 – 2036
Our extensive collection of cool Dragon Crafts!
Chinese New Year Dragon Paper Puppets
Or have a go at these fantastic Paper Plate Dragon Twirlers!
Simple Dragon Mask Colouring Pages
6. Year of the Snake – 2013 – 2025 – 2037
Well of course, we have a Snake Corner Bookmark as mentioned before.. but here are some other great Snake makes you will like!
My kids ADORE making Paper Chains.. so these Paper Chain Snakes are perfect for Chinese New Year!
Or alternatively take the humble TP Roll (yes how we love TP Roll Crafts!) and make a snake craft out of that. Lots of fun and super frugal!
Or how about these fantastic Finger Knitted Snakes?
7. Year of the Horse – 2014 – 2026 – 2038
We have lots of Unicorn Crafts for Kids that could easily adapt to being great Horse Crafts for Chinese New Year.
How about a no sew Horse Sock Puppet?!
H is for Horse Miss Maren’s Monkeys
8. Year of the Goat – 2003 – 2015 – 2027 – 2039
I Heart Crafty Things has this super cute Paper Plate Goat Craft! Perfect for Year of the Goat.
Farm Wife Crafts has these adorable Toilet Paper Roll Goats, nice and easy to make too!
Or how about this simple Paper Bag Goat Puppet from Clubhouse Jr?
9. Year of the Monkey – 2004 – 2016 – 2028
Have a go at our super easy Monkey Corner Bookmark for the Year of Monkey Crafts! Lots more great Chinese Zodia Bookmark designs here!
Little ones will love exploring this easy Monkey Handprint. A super fun idea for Chinese New Year. Maybe make it in red and gold?!
Easy Monkey Hat Craft over on Kix Cereal.
10. Year of the Rooster – 2005 – 2017 – 2029
Why not have a good browse of our Easter Chick Crafts – there are a number of fabulous crafts that could easily be adapted into making Roosters for Chinese New Year!
We ADORE these Egg Carton Roosters. So easy and fun to make!
Or maybe make some of these simple TP Roll Rooster Gift Boxes – fill with lucky money for Chinese New Year!
Finally, make thse craft stick roosters in red and they will be a perfect way to celebrate the year of the rooster!
11. Year of the Dog – 2006 – 2018 – 2030
Again we have a collection of Easy Dog Crafts for Kids to browse.. but if I had to pick just three for the Chinese Zodiac exploration, I would pick the following:
Super easy Dog Hand Puppets – these would be fun and quick to make!
Fantastic Paper Plate Dog Masks (with template)
12. Year of the Pig – 2007 – 2019- 2031
We have a great collection of Pig Crafts for Kids that you can browse at your leisure.
If we had to highlight just three Pig Crafts for you.. I would pick these easy Paper Fortune Teller Pig Crafts (tell your fortune for the Year of the Pig!).
Or have a go at another easy Origami Pattern for kids – the Origami Pig!
I hope you have enjoyed this collection of Animal Crafts for Chinese New Year!! It is such a fun way to learn about and explore the Chinese Zodiac.
Check out the rest of our fun Chinese New Year Activities for Kids:
We also have some fabulous Chinese Zodiac Bookmarks for you to check out!
Or how about our Chinese Zodiac Animal Origami Projects:
Or what about this fabulous Zodiac Animal Puppets & Coloring Pages?
