How to celebrate Chinese New Year with kids
Get some basic knowledge about the potential elements that will make «Chinese New Year» an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Offering to kids a unique opportunity to participate in a joyful celebration
The Chinese New Year is a major and highly anticipated festival for the whole Chinese society and especially for children. While for the majority of the working population the official public holiday lasts for seven days, kids enjoy a vacation away from school that extends up to one month. Needless to say that the spectacular events, the delicious foods and the festive atmosphere construct an ideal environment that all kids appreciate a lot!
Families from all over the world which chose to visit China during the festival can easily find many events and activities that promise transform the trip to an unforgettable moment for their children and consequently for the whole family.
Festival preparations
A significant part of the Chinese New Year experience includes the preparation that takes place prior to the festival.
A family who is privileged to be hosted in a Chinese home should definitely follow the decorating and food preparing processes where children have a central role. But in any case, some of the preparatory customs can be observed also by tourists who visit the country for the first time without having any local friends or relatives.
Among others putting up spring couplets and lanterns as well as buying new clothes and tasting snacks and festive foods are among the "mandatory" activities to follow!
Red envelopes
According to another widely spread custom, the red or lucky envelopes which include an amount of money are given to children during the period of the Lunar New Year.
This gesture is usually done by parents, elder relatives, and visitors, while the included amount is the pocket money that kids use to buy toys, candies or whatever they wish.
There is no doubt that some extra yuan in a red envelope will make kids traveling with their families very happy and they will provide some extra challenges and interest in their trip-experience.
Activities and visits
The Chinese New Year offer countless opportunities to observe and take part in interesting events and activities.
Some of them are quite spectacular and they can construct a lifetime experience especially for the younger travelers.
The firework shows, the festive parades with the lion and dragon dances as well as the open-air food and flower markets are only some of the "must" choices. Apart from the festive meals, the various food festivals with plenty of choices such as delicious snacks and candies are also highly appreciated by children!
Gifts
Last but not least, the Chinese New Year gifts can definitely guaranty an unforgettable celebration for kids.
Gift-giving is a widespread tradition in the whole country and it is crucial to have in mind that there are some taboos and special habits related to that. Thus, finding the correct gift for each family member is a funny and challenging process on its own!
Parallel to that, those gifts will be the best souvenirs for kids and parents who visit China during the festival from abroad.
