Lunar New Year is a brilliant opportunity to bring colour, curiosity and cultural learning into your early years setting. It’s a celebration observed by millions of families around the world, including communities connected to countries such as China, Vietnam and South Korea. For young children, Lunar New Year isn’t about remembering dates or learning long lists of facts. It’s about noticing differences and similarities, exploring new traditions, and feeling proud of who they are and where they come from. With a few simple, thoughtful activities, this festival can become meaningful learning that links naturally to the EYFS themes of Understanding the World, Communication and Language, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
What is Lunar New Year (and why does it change every year)?
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar, which is why the date changes each year (usually falling between late January and mid-February). In China, it’s often called the Spring Festival, while in Vietnam, it’s known as Tết. In South Korea, families celebrate Seollal. Across cultures, common themes include:
- New beginnings
- Family and togetherness
- Good luck and positive hopes for the year ahead
- Letting go of the old and welcoming the new
For children in early years, this is a lovely way to introduce the idea that people celebrate important moments in different ways - and that all families have traditions that matter.
Making it meaningful (without overcomplicating it)
You don’t need to recreate a full festival to make Lunar New Year meaningful in your setting. The aim is gentle exposure, respect and curiosity - not perfection. Storytime with a cultural twist Choose a child-friendly story linked to Lunar New Year themes such as family, animals or new beginnings. This could spark conversations like:
- “What special days do you celebrate at home?”
- “How do you feel when you try something new?”
Creative activities Art is a great entry point for young children. Try:
- Red and gold collage or painting
- Simple lantern crafts
- Drawing “wishes” or hopes for the new year
Food conversations (without pressure) Food plays a big part in many celebrations. You might explore:
- Photos of different celebratory foods
- Role play in the home corner
- Talking about favourite foods children enjoy with their families
Music, movement and noise Celebrations are joyful and lively. Bring this energy into your setting with:
- Music and dancing
- Ribbon or scarf play to mimic parades
- Homemade shakers and drums for a mini “celebration march” outdoors
This Lunar New Year’s Animal: The Year of the Fire Horse (2026)
Each Lunar New Year is linked to an animal from the Chinese zodiac and one of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). Together, these create a theme for the year. The Year of the Fire Horse (2026) is often associated with energy, confidence and bold new beginnings. In traditions linked to celebrations in China and other East Asian cultures, the Horse symbolises:
- Freedom and movement
- Enthusiasm and motivation
- Curiosity and adventure
The Fire element adds warmth, brightness and passion, making this a lovely theme to explore with young children as they think about trying new things and growing in confidence.
Exploring the Fire Horse in child-friendly ways
You don’t need to explain zodiac systems in detail; keep it playful and linked to everyday learning: Animal focus
- Read or make up a simple story about a horse starting a new journey
- Talk about how animals move and what they need to be healthy
- Use small world play with animals to explore journeys and exploration
Creative play
- Horse masks or stick puppets
- Painting with warm “fire colours” (reds, oranges, yellows)
- A group mural of “things we’d like to try this year”
Movement and physical play
- Galloping, trotting and jumping games outdoors
- Obstacle courses to explore confidence and coordination
- Parachute or ribbon dancing to reflect flowing movement
Gentle reflection Link the idea of “new beginnings” to children’s real lives:
- “What’s something new you’d like to try?”
- “How can we be brave when something feels tricky?”
This keeps cultural learning meaningful without making it heavy or over-formal.
Being culturally respectful (and avoiding tokenism)
It’s important not to treat Lunar New Year as a one-off “dress-up day.” A few simple principles help:
- Focus on learning, not just decorations
- Avoid stereotypes – families celebrate in different ways
- Invite families to share traditions if they’d like to
- Link new learning back to children’s own experiences
This helps children understand that culture is lived and personal, not just something we ‘perform’.
Linking Lunar New Year to the EYFS (without extra paperwork)
Lunar New Year activities naturally support:
- Understanding the World – learning about people and communities
- Communication and Language – new words, stories and conversations
- PSED – developing respect, curiosity and belonging
- Expressive Arts and Design – art, music, dance and imaginative play
You’re not adding more to your workload – you’re enriching what you already do through a cultural lens.
Small moments, big impact
Celebrating Lunar New Year – and exploring the Year of the Fire Horse – doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful. Even a short story, a simple craft or a shared conversation can help children:
- Feel proud of their own traditions
- Become curious about others
- Learn that the world is full of different ways of celebrating and belonging
Those small moments build empathy, confidence and cultural awareness – and that’s learning that lasts well beyond the festival itself.
Other articles:
Lunar New Year Celebration Ideas
A 2026 guide to Lunar New Year as we gallop into the Year of the Horse
