![Image of Plazoom]()
By Plazoom
Last updated 05 January 2026
These Chinese New Year activities and resources offer engaging ways to develop oracy, reading comprehension and writing skills across EYFS, KS1 and KS2. At the same time, you'll be introducing pupils to an important cultural celebration.
Rich in storytelling, symbolism and tradition, Chinese New Year provides the perfect context for pupils to retell legends, explore descriptive language, discuss customs and practise vocabulary.
Activities support speaking and listening, sequencing events and deepening understanding of texts. You'll also be building confident, purposeful writing linked to a real-world event.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 – also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival – falls on Tuesday 17th February 2026. This is the first day of the Chinese lunar year.
What is this year's animal?
In the Chinese zodiac, each year combines an animal with one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. This is associated with energy, independence and forward momentum.
Chinese New Year activities for Early Years, KS1 and KS2
EYFS storytelling and sequencing pack
Introduce young learners to the story of Chinese New Year and the animals of the Chinese zodiac through a free short, illustrated PowerPoint. Children can then retell and sequence The Great Race by re-enacting it with masks, animal figures or picture cards.
KS1 sequencing, adjectives and story retelling pack
This free KS1 resource helps children explore the story of the Chinese Zodiac while practising story retelling, sequencing and using adjectives to build noun phrases.
Use it across several lessons or for a Chinese New Year topic day. The download includes model texts, puppets, sequencing cards, an adjectives challenge and teacher’s notes.
LKS2 comprehension worksheets
This KS2 comprehension pack for Years 3 and 4 retells The Great Race, the legend behind the Chinese Zodiac, perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations.
It includes a model text with comprehension questions to practise retrieval, inference, sequencing and vocabulary. Use it for whole-class lessons, guided groups or as a model for writing or oral retelling.
UKS2 comprehension worksheets
This non-fiction comprehension pack for Years 5 and 6 explores Chinese New Year, explaining why and how it is celebrated.
Like the LKS2 version, it includes a model text and comprehension questions and can be used for whole-class lessons, groups, or as a WAGOLL.
More Chinese New Year activities
Bring Chinese New Year into your classroom with this engaging, free animals-themed pack, introducing pupils to the traditions of the festival, the 12 zodiac animals and their traits.
Activities include reading the story of The Great Race, fact-finding tasks, colouring sheets and hands-on projects like lantern-making and tangram puzzles.
Meanwhile, these free Chinese New Year colouring pages let pupils explore traditional festival elements, including zodiac animals, lanterns and dragons, while developing fine motor skills and attention to detail.