Celebrating Chinese New Year in Reception

Date: 29th Jan 2025 @ 12:17pm

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Reception

Today, our Reception children had a fantastic time celebrating Chinese New Year with a day full of exciting activities, storytelling, and hands-on crafts!

The Story of the Great Race

To begin our celebrations, one of our wonderful Year 6 pupils visited Reception to read the traditional story of The Great Race. The children were captivated by the tale of how the 12 animals competed to cross the river, securing their place in the Chinese zodiac. The story sparked their curiosity and set the scene for our next activity.

Recreating the Great Race

Inspired by the story, the children headed outside to take part in their very own version of The Great Race! They eagerly pretended to be the different animals, racing across our outdoor space just like in the story. There were lots of giggles and excitement as they took turns playing the role of the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, and all the other animals from the zodiac.

Tasting Chinese Food

After all the running around, it was time to enjoy some delicious Chinese food. The children had the opportunity to try a variety of dishes, including noodles, spring rolls, and prawn crackers. Some were adventurous and tried new flavors for the first time, while others enjoyed their old favorites. It was lovely to see them discussing the different tastes and textures with their friends.

Making Lucky Red Money Wallets

To finish off our celebrations, the children made their own Chinese New Year money wallets, also known as hongbao. They learned that these red envelopes are traditionally given as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Using red paper, gold decorations, and plenty of creativity, each child designed a beautiful money wallet to take home.

It was a fantastic day filled with learning, creativity, and fun! Our Reception children truly embraced the spirit of Chinese New Year, and we are so proud of their enthusiasm.
新年快乐 – Happy New Year!