Chinese Kites

Celebrate Chinese holidays and the country's ancient culture with animal zodiac kites. Happy new year!

• 1.

  Research the meaning of kites in Chinese culture. Find out what the 12 animal zodiac symbols mean. Discover how kites are used everyday as well as in celebrations, such as for Chinese New Year.

• 2.

  With Crayola® Scissors, cut oak tag or posterboard into a diamond kite shape. Cover the entire kite with construction paper. Trim the edges with ribbon and attach with Crayola Glue Sticks.

• 3.

  On separate paper, draw an animal zodiac figure with Crayola Fine Tip Markers. Choose the animal that symbolizes the current year, or the upcoming new year. Color your zodiac figure with Crayola Markers. Cut out the zodiac figure. Glue the animal to the kite.

• 4.

  Punch holes in the top and bottom points of the kite. Thread ribbon or string through the holes. Add craft feathers or other ornamentation if you wish.

Benefits

• Students learn about Chinese culture and find that New Year is the most important of many Chinese holidays.
• Students research many facets of the Chinese New Year celebration, and identify the symbols of the animal zodiac.
• While constructing and decorating their kites, students recognize the importance that the art of kite making holds in Chinese culture.

Adaptations

• Introduce younger children and those with special needs to Chinese culture and geography to add meaningful context to this activity.
• Ask a Chinese volunteer in your community to speak about their traditional new year celebrations or some other aspect of their culture.
• Students draw their favorite Chinese symbol and write a paragraph about their choice.
• Create special gifts for parents or grandparents as Chinese children do for the new year.