On Saturday, February 6, 2027, millions of families around the world will welcome Lunar New Year. It is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, full of red decorations, family dinners, lanterns and lion dances. In 2027, it is also the start of the Year of the Goat.

Here is how to explain Lunar New Year to young children, with easy Lunar New Year activities for kids in PreK–2.

What Is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year is the start of a new year on the lunar calendar, a calendar that follows the moon. It begins with a new moon, so the date changes every year, always landing between January 21 and February 20.

It is celebrated by families in China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and many other places, and in communities all over the world. In China it is also called the Spring Festival. In Vietnam it is called Tết, and in Korea it is called Seollal. Because Korea’s calendar follows the moon from its own time zone, Seollal falls one day later in 2027, on February 7.

For young children, you can say:

  • Lunar New Year is a new year that follows the moon.
  • Families clean their homes, decorate with red and eat a big dinner together.
  • Children often get red envelopes with a little money inside.
  • The celebration can last 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival, on February 20 in 2027.

2027 Is the Year of the Goat

Each year has one of 12 animals. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2026 was the Year of the Horse, so 2027 is the Year of the Goat (some people translate it as the Sheep or the Ram). Each year is also linked to an element, and 2027 is a Fire Goat year.

In Vietnam, the list is a little different: the Cat takes the Rabbit’s place and the Water Buffalo takes the Ox’s place.

The Great Race

A favorite folktale explains the order of the animals. Long ago, the Jade Emperor held a race across a river, and the order of the winners became the order of the years. The clever Rat rode across on the Ox’s back and jumped off at the very end to finish first. The Pig, who stopped to eat and take a nap, came in last. There are many versions of the story, so invite children who know one to share theirs.

How Families Celebrate Lunar New Year

  • Cleaning: Before the new year, families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck.
  • Red everywhere: Red stands for luck and happiness, so homes are decorated with red lanterns, red paper cuttings and red banners.
  • Red envelopes: Children receive red envelopes with money inside, called hongbao in Mandarin and lì xì in Vietnamese. In Korea, children bow to their elders and receive New Year money.
  • Special foods: Many families share dumplings, a whole fish, long noodles for a long life, and tangerines or oranges for good luck. In Korea, families eat tteokguk, a rice cake soup, and in Vietnam, bánh chưng, a square sticky rice cake.
  • Lion and dragon dances: Dancers in colorful costumes move to loud drums and cymbals, and fireworks light up the night.

Teaching Lunar New Year Respectfully

  • Say “Lunar New Year” so every family who celebrates feels included, and let families tell you what they call it.
  • Invite families to share a photo, a story, a food or a greeting, if they want to.
  • Avoid costumes or “dress like” activities, and focus on traditions, art and stories.
  • Learn a greeting together: “Xīnnián kuàilè” (Mandarin), “Chúc mừng năm mới” (Vietnamese) or “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” (Korean).

Easy Lunar New Year Activities for Kids

Red Envelope Math

Put a different number of paper coins in several red envelopes. Children open them, count the coins and put the envelopes in order from fewest to most. Older students can add the coins from two envelopes.

Zodiac Animal Line-Up (Ordinal Numbers)

After reading the Great Race, give out 12 animal picture cards. Children line up in the order of the race and answer questions such as “Which animal came third?” (the Tiger) and “Who came right after the Horse?” (the Goat).

Paper Plate Goat (Art)

Children make a goat face from a paper plate, with two curved paper horns, floppy ears and a little beard. For the Fire Goat year, add red and orange paper flames around the edge.

Class Dragon (Collaboration)

Each child decorates one paper square with bright patterns. Join the squares in a long line behind a paper dragon head and hold a class dragon parade to drum music.

Lunar New Year Words

Learn words such as lantern, dragon, goat, moon, dumpling, firework and red envelope, then turn them into a puzzle with our free word search maker or a game with the bingo card maker.

A Celebration of Family and Fresh Starts

Lunar New Year is about family, good wishes and a fresh start, ideas every child understands. If your class learned about Diwali or Three Kings Day, compare how families celebrate light and new beginnings. For more ways to celebrate every family in your room, see our free classroom community activities and more ideas in our seasonal activities.

More teaching guides for January and February: MLK Day, Groundhog Day, Black History Month, the 100th Day of School and Valentine’s Day.