Lunar / Chinese New Year - EYFS / Early Years Activities, Displays and Ideas
Saturday 6th February 2027
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‘Chinese / Lunar New Year’ resources…
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Free Sample Resources
Core ‘Chinese/Lunar New Year’ Resources
About ‘Lunar/Chinese New Year’
Additional pages, topics & themes you may be interested in
Free Sample Resources
(Click on the images below to find out more)
To tie in with the story of the Chinese/Lunar Zodiac, these activity cards will get the children moving as they hear the order that the animals finished ‘The Great Race’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Chinese/Lunar New Year colouring sheets. 14 pages, including various New Year posters, pictures of the 12 zodiac animals, Chinese numbers 1-10 and Chinese food to colour. In conjunction with developing fine motor skills and expressive arts and design elements (e.g. the choice of colours), these colouring sheets can also be used as a great stimulus for communication and language. When offered as part of an invitation to play children may initiate communication to you or other children about the images in a child led fashion. Alternatively, adult led interaction could include closed or open ended questioning. Younger children may point to familiar objects when prompted e.g. ‘Where’s the horse?’ and learn new words as you describe to them what is in the picture. As children progress, more ground may be covered such as ‘What colours have you used?’, ‘How many animals are there in this picture?’, ‘Which is your favourite picture?’, ‘Why do you like this picture the best?’, ‘Have you seen any Chinese New Year decorations?’, ‘Where?’, ‘When?’, ‘Who were you with?’, ‘Shall we make some of our own?’ If children take their pictures home, further consolidation of new vocabulary may arise through additional communication with those at home.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
If you are not a member already, become a ‘Free Access’ member here. This will give you access to resources within the ‘Free Sample Resources’ sections at the top of most pages and ‘Special Dates Calendars’. Some whole topics are even free! Find out more about all of our membership options here. If you are already a member… thank-you!
Please note that both Editable (docx file) and non-editable (pdf file) versions are available for all Chinese/Lunar New Year topic resources. (Editable files require Microsoft Word to work at optimum level and Non-Editable files require a pdf viewer.)
Click on the thumbnail images below for further details…
Chinese restaurant role-play pack includes banner, order forms for mark making/pre-writing, open/closed signs, posters (one of which includes opening times), two versions of a basic menu (one with prices and one without for children to practise writing numbers) and a set of corresponding food cards to stock your restaurant.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Set of Chinese Zodiac Animal puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise colours and patterns and solve problems involving observational skills. Also perfect for learning about Chinese New Year!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Once laminated this ‘Chinese Lantern Multimat’ is ideal to be used as a reusable playdough or loose parts mat. Alternatively, use in conjunction with whiteboard pens.
Without lamination this sheet could also be used with mark making tools or art and craft materials such as collage.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Pack of 12 ‘I was born in the year of the…’ Animal Zodiac Colouring Sheets.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
To tie in with the story of the Chinese Zodiac, these activity cards will get the children moving as they hear the order that the animals finished ‘The Great Race’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Number slice puzzles with the animals of the Chinese/Lunar zodiac. Puzzles to be cut along the lines and then stuck back together in the right order. So many learning opportunities!…Discussions about the 12 Zodiac Animals, consolidation of circle shape, recognising and ordering numbers 1-5 or 1-10, scissor skills and more!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Number Slice Puzzle Activities - Colouring versions. Puzzles available for 1-5 and 1-10 sequencing. Colour the pictures, cut along the vertical lines and then put the pieces back together in numerical order. Stick to a new sheet of card or paper once complete! Great for number recognition and ordering, observational skills and motor control. All of the Zodiac Animals are also framed within a circle, so great for shape knowledge consolidation. Picture and number combination enables child self checking.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Either use art and craft materials to decorate your Chinese dragon before assembling or simply use the pre-coloured version. We used red and yellow straws for the handles, but you could also use lolly sticks!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Find and match pairs of the animals from the Chinese/Lunar New Year story. Each card is made with a backing tab for folding before lamination to provide a more robust final product and so that you are unable to see the picture when the card is placed face down.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
‘The Great Race’ Chinese/Lunar New Year themed ordinal numbers floor puzzle game. Why not introduce your children to the zodiac animals with this large floor puzzle? (1 piece per A4 page). Talk about ‘The Great Race’ story and place the animals in the order that they finished the race!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Chinese/Lunar New Year Animal Zodiac cards depicting each of the years and character traits for for 12 zodiac animals. Why not use these in conjunction with our ‘Zodiac Animal Floor Puzzle’ which shows the order in which the animals completed The Great Race?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Pack of 12 Animal Zodiac Cards for colouring. Perhaps children would be interested to know which animal year they were born in and colour the corresponding card to take home?
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Chinese number display poster and large cards. Intended mainly as a means to enrich the communication and language environment. It is not our intent that children should learn these symbols, but start to recognise that text has meaning and begin to understand that there are a variety of forms of writing in our world. We have added our take on the phonetic pronunciation of the numbers for those of you who may also like to try saying the numbers aloud as a demonstration for the children. Please note that on this resource we have not included Pinyin. You may also be interested in the resources in our ‘Dual Language’ section.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Chinese/Lunar New Year colouring sheets. 14 pages, including various New Year posters, pictures of the 12 zodiac animals, Chinese numbers 1-10 and Chinese food to colour. In conjunction with developing fine motor skills and expressive arts and design elements (e.g. the choice of colours), these colouring sheets can also be used as a great stimulus for communication and language. When offered as part of an invitation to play children may initiate communication to you or other children about the images in a child led fashion. Alternatively, adult led interaction could include closed or open ended questioning. Younger children may point to familiar objects when prompted e.g. ‘Where’s the horse?’ and learn new words as you describe to them what is in the picture. As children progress, more ground may be covered such as ‘What colours have you used?’, ‘How many animals are there in this picture?’, ‘Which is your favourite picture?’, ‘Why do you like this picture the best?’, ‘Have you seen any Chinese/Lunar New Year decorations?’, ‘Where?’, ‘When?’, ‘Who were you with?’, ‘Shall we make some of our own?’ If children take their pictures home, further consolidation of new vocabulary may arise through additional communication with those at home.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Bunting for the Chinese/Lunar New Year featuring the animals of the Zodiac. Also includes complete set of bunting to colour in.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
Bordered sheet with a Chinese/Lunar New Year animal theme. Colour and Black & White.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
This pack includes horizontal Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year Card Templates for 2026. Each design is intended to be coloured and includes space for children to add their own individualisation.
Pack comprises 10 pages, each with a different Chinese or Lunar New Year (2026) card design.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
This pack includes vertical Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year Card Templates for 2026. Each design is intended to be coloured and includes space for children to add their own individualisation.
Pack comprises 10 pages, each with a different Chinese or Lunar New Year (2026) card design.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (Zipped JPEGs)
About ‘Lunar/Chinese New Year’
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a wonderful festival celebrated by millions of people all around the world! It marks the beginning of spring and the start of a brand-new year on the lunar calendar.
Because it follows the cycles of the moon, the date changes a little bit every year, but the excitement is always the same!
How is it Celebrated?
Bright Colors: You will see lots of red and gold, which are lucky colors that represent happiness and strength.
Special Traditions: Families get together for big feasts, clean their homes to sweep away old luck, and give each other red envelopes (called hongbao) with chocolate coins or money inside.
Dancing Animals: Look out for the amazing Lion and Dragon dances! Performers wear giant, colorful costumes and dance to the sound of loud drums and cymbals to scare away bad luck.
The Zodiac: Each year is named after one of 12 special animals. Whether it’s the Year of the Rabbit, the Dragon, or the Tiger, every animal has its own special story!
Top Tip for Teachers: Use Lunar New Year to explore themes of family, new beginnings, and vibrant sensory play through music and colour.
‘February’ topics & special dates you may be interested in…
Search ‘Little Owls Resources’ using the following menu buttons…
Click here to visit our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page for an entire year of key EYFS & KS1 events, festivals & celebrations.
