Skip to Main Content
Chinese Lanterns

Chinese Lanterns

Students will learn about the lunisolar calendar and create a Chinese lantern that is used in many traditional festivals and celebrations.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Ribbon

Steps

  • Step 1

    The lunisolar calendar is used in several cultures to indicate when traditional holidays and celebrations take place. In China it is used to determine the dates of the Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Spring Festival, and others. Ask students to learn about lunisolar calendars, which indicate both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year, and investigate some of the important dates it denotes.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a Chinese lantern, which is used in many traditional celebrations. They can start by looking up some Chinese symbols and also how to write a word or two in Chinese. Have them paint these designs and symbols on a piece of paper.

  • Step 3

    When the paint is dry, fold the paper in half lengthwise. Cut several slits into the fold, then unfold it, roll it into a cylinder, and glue the edges together. Attach a handle made out of a strip of paper or a piece of ribbon.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their lanterns and explain the symbols in their artwork.

Standards

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities.

Adaptations

Why are lanterns used in Chinese celebrations? Have students investigate their origins believed to be from the times of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE) and how they have come to be an important symbol in traditional celebrations.

The Lantern Festival is one of the most important festivals in China. Have students learn more about this event that marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.