We’ve put together a fun and colourful craft project perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year! Dragons are significant symbols in many cultures, representing power, strength, and good fortune. This craft is a wonderful way to bring the spirit of these celebrations into your classroom or home, allowing children to explore the cultural significance while getting creative.

Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating dragon-themed rolls using simple art and craft materials. This activity is ideal for little ones, as it encourages fine motor skills, creativity, and a hands-on connection to the stories and traditions of Chinese New Year. It’s an engaging way to teach children about these vibrant festivals while they craft their own dragon designs.

What you will need:

Craft rolls

Pompoms

Tissue paper

PVA glue

Glue spreaders

Step 1: Prepare and Glue the Craft Rolls

Begin by using your plastic paste spreaders to apply a layer of glue all over the surface of the craft rolls. Make sure the entire roll is well-covered in glue, as this will help the tissue paper stick smoothly. Next, wrap tissue paper around the roll to cover it completely. You can use one colour for a uniform look, or mix colours to create a patchwork effect. Press the tissue paper down gently so it sticks firmly to the roll.

Step 2: Create the Dragon’s Fire

To make the dragon’s fiery breath, cut strips of tissue paper in different colours—bright shades like red, orange, and yellow work wonderfully for a fire effect. Glue these strips to one end of the craft roll, arranging them so they flow like flames when the dragon is moved. You can vary the lengths of the tissue strips for a layered look or keep them all the same length for a tidy finish.

Step 3: Decorate the Dragon’s Face

Now it’s time to bring your dragon to life! Use paint to add vibrant colours and patterns to the roll, or sprinkle some glitter for a magical touch. Glue on pom-poms to create a 3D nose or cheeks for the dragon. Finally, add wiggly eyes to give your dragon a playful expression. Children can have fun experimenting with different facial expressions—happy, fierce, or even a sleepy dragon!

Let the decorations dry completely before handling the dragon rolls.

We’d love to see the finished result! Once you and the little ones have completed the craft, take some photos and tag us on Instagram. You can also share with us on Facebook.

If you enjoyed this activity and want to explore more hands-on crafts, head over to our inspirational activities section of the blog. We’ve got plenty of ideas to keep the creativity flowing all year round!