This Sunday, there's more to celebrate than Valentine's Day -- Chinese New Year falls on February 14 this year, marking lunar year 4078. Why not try some Chinese New Year-themed activities and crafts this week? It's a fun, easy way to teach kids about other cultures and customs, and it can also open up a dialogue about special holidays in your family. Here are some ideas:
- The Palos Verdes Library District holds a Chinese Cultural Preschool Storytime every Friday at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Go this Friday to learn more about Chinese New Year and participate in fun New Year's activities.
- Go to the Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year festival on February 20. With more than a dozen floats and booths from a wide variety of businesses, it's a day the whole family can enjoy.
- Make a tiger puppet (in honor of the Year of the Tiger) out of a brown paper lunch sack and other materials you're likely to have in the house already.
- Try making red envelopes (traditionally used to hold cash gifts given during Chinese New Year). Fill them with chocolate coins or "coupons" (e.g., "good for one extra turn at video games") and have your child hand them out to siblings or friends on Saturday as an alternative to valentines.
- Print out New Year coloring pages and let your toddler or preschooler color to his heart's content.
- Read about the history and origin of Chinese New Year with your child.
- Try your hand at some classic Chinese food recipes.
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