Looking for fresh craft ideas for kids? Try our fun build a dragon printable craft activity! This creative project encourages children to cut, paste, and design their very own dragon, perfect for celebrating the Chinese New Year at home or school.
Engaging and educational, this activity lets kids explore the rich traditions of the Chinese zodiac, specifically the dragon dances associated with the year 2024, the Year of the Dragon. Grab the free printable template at the end of this post to get started on this craft!
Printable Build a Chinese Dragon Craft
As 2024 approaches, it’s time to embrace the Year of the Dragon! And what better way to honor this powerful symbol from the Chinese zodiac than with our low-prep, build-a-dragon printable craft?
This simple, yet engaging activity is perfect for those learning about and celebrating Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year.
Although straightforward overall, the craft includes an element of challenge with some complex cutting around the dragon’s mane and body – a rewarding task that will require your little artists to focus and carefully maneuver their scissors.
It’s a fantastic way to encourage fine motor skills while immersing them in the vibrant traditions and culture surrounding the Year of the Dragon.
Are There Different Types of Dragons?
Yes, there are indeed different types of dragons, each depicted in unique ways across various cultures, art, and stories.
For example, dragons often found in European fantasy and fairytales are traditionally portrayed as large, winged reptiles with an ominous presence, often associated with guarding treasures or terrorizing villages.
On the other hand, dragons in Asian cultures, particularly in China, are typically shown as serpentine creatures without wings yet possessing incredible wisdom, longevity, and power.
Chinese dragons are often associated with water and weather, and are seen as symbols of good fortune and prosperity. These diverse depictions of dragons add to the rich tapestry of global folklore and mythology.
More Dragon Crafts for Kids
Let’s continue our dragon-themed adventure with even more fantastic craft ideas. If your little learners enjoyed building a dragon from the printable template, they’re sure to love these additional dragon crafts.
These activities are not only fun but also provide a great way to further explore the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year. Whether you’re looking for simple crafts for the youngest members of your family or more intricate projects for older kids, there’s something for everyone.
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Gazechimp Chinese Spring Festival Lion Dance DIY Crafts Kit24 Packs Chinese New Year Picture Frame OrnamentsLEGO Spring Festival Family Reunion Celebration4 Pieces Chinese New Year Dragon Garland Craft KitFun Express 2024 Happy Chinese New Year Fan Paper Plate Craft KitLEGO Lunar New Year Traditions 80108 Building Kit
Benefits of This Build a Dragon Printable
Building a dragon can be an excellent educational activity. It can help your child develop fine motor skills, improve their concentration, and encourage their creativity. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to learn about mythical creatures, storytelling, and different cultures.
Coloring in the dragon and cutting out the pieces are fantastic ways to develop your child’s fine motor skills. As they carefully coloring within the lines, they’ll be honing their hand-eye coordination and precision.
Cutting along the intricate outlines of the dragon parts not only enhances their focus but also refines their dexterity and grip control.
Children also get to be mini designers, choosing a vibrant palette of colors and creating their dragon’s unique look. It’s a delightful blend of artistry and imagination.
Build a Dragon Printable Craft Supplies
Before you and your kids begin this crafting adventure, make sure you have all the necessary supplies at hand. First and foremost, you will need the Build a Dragon printable, which is available for free by completing the form at the end of this post.
You can print this out on regular printer paper or, for a sturdier dragon, consider using cardstock. You might also want to glue your dragon onto colored construction paper to make it pop.
To bring your dragon to life, use crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Finally, have a pair of scissors and a glue stick ready to cut out the dragon parts and assemble them.
Arteza Kids Colored Pencils, Set of 48 Vibrant Colors, Triangular, Pre-Sharpened
Crayola Classic Color Crayons in Flip-Top Pack with Sharpener, 96 ColorsEpson EcoTank ET-3710 Wireless Color Inkjet All-in-One Supertank Printer, WhiteCrayola Erasable Colored Pencils 24 count
How to Use the Build a Dragon Printable
There are several creative ways you and your child can use the build a dragon printable. After your child has colored in the dragon, they can carefully cut out the dragon pieces.
The cut-out pieces can be pasted onto colored construction paper, giving the dragon a vibrant and sturdy backing.
This crafting process can be a great time to encourage your child to create a story about their dragon. Their dragon could be a fierce protector of a mystical kingdom or a friendly creature from a far-off land.
Once the dragon is assembled, consider laminating it; this not only protects their artwork but also transforms it into a bookmark or a puppet for further creative play.
Another idea is to use paper fasteners, also known as split pins, at the connection points of the head and legs. This would make the dragon part movable, adding an extra dimension of fun to this craft project.
Why Are Dragons Significant During Chinese New Year?
Dragons play a special role in Chinese New Year celebrations! In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. It’s believed that performing a Dragon Dance during the festivities can bring about good fortune and ward off evil spirits. What a wonderful way to ring in the new year!
Books About Chinese New Year for Kids
Utilizing our Build a Dragon craft as an educational tool provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year. Sharing this time to read books about the festival not only promotes cultural understanding but encourages quality family bonding.
Bringing In the New Year (Read to a Child!)The Great Race: Story of the Chinese Zodiac (Traditional Chinese, English, Pinyin)Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book (Puffin Lift-the-Flap)Playing with LanternsHow to Catch a DragonChinese New Year Wishes: Chinese Spring and Lantern Festival Celebration (Fun Festivals Book 1)
For a start, consider these highly-rated children’s books: “Bringing In the New Year” by Grace Lin which provides a wonderful introduction to the festivities, “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” by Ling and Eric Lee for an engaging explanation of the Chinese Zodiac, and “Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book” by Joan Holub, which is a favorite among teachers for its interactive format.
Reading these books together will offer a rich context to the dragon craft, making the experience more meaningful and fun.
More Lunar New Year Activities for Kids
Beyond the dragon craft and some enlightening reads, there are still plenty of Lunar New Year activities that kids can do. Let’s dive into some other engaging and educational activities that can add to the fun and allow children to learn more about this important cultural celebration.
One exciting activity is our Chinese New Year charades game! This is a fun-filled game where kids can act out different aspects related to the Chinese New Year, increasing their cultural understanding while ensuring bucket loads of laughter and enjoyment.
To round out your unit study, consider incorporating Lunar New Year STEM activities. These hands-on projects fuse cultural learning with scientific concepts, offering a comprehensive learning experience that’s as enjoyable as it is educational.
Another engaging activity to include in your Lunar New Year celebrations is this printable Chinese New Year memory game. It features illustrated cards of the Chinese zodiac animals, providing an entertaining way to learn about and remember these significant symbols of Chinese culture.
As our dragon-themed adventure draws to a close, we hope you’ve been inspired to combine learning with creativity and explore the vibrant traditions of Chinese New Year. Crafting together not only strengthens family bonds but also aids in the development of a myriad of skills in children.
Whether it’s through our printable Build a Dragon craft or the additional dragon crafts mentioned, we invite you to immerse yourself in the spirit of the new year. We’re so excited for you to foster a deeper understanding of these rich traditions while having fun making your very own dragons. Here’s to a year filled with joy, prosperity, and endless creativity!
Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.