How to Decorate for Lunar New Year at Home and in the Classroom
•Posted on January 20 2026
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays for millions of people around the world, and it’s such a beautiful one to celebrate. It’s a time for family, renewal, fresh starts, and all the good-luck energy. It makes kids feel like they’re part of something bigger than their regular day.
And if you’re a parent or teacher, celebrating it can be more than just cute Lunar New Year decorations (though yes, we’re absolutely doing the decorations). It’s also a chance to teach kids to appreciate different cultures, traditions, and stories in a way that feels joyful, respectful, and actually memorable.
If you’re thinking, I want to observe Lunar New Year… but I also don’t want this to become a whole production, I get you. You don’t need a week of prep or a full classroom overhaul. A few thoughtful details, one or two hands-on moments, and a little context go a long way.
Here’s how to decorate for Lunar New Year in a way that feels doable, meaningful, and genuinely fun whether you’re celebrating at home or in the classroom.
Table of Contents
Start with Red (and Tell the Kids Why)
If you do nothing else, do red. Red is everywhere during Lunar New Year for a reason. It represents good luck, happiness, and protection.
Here’s the part kids love: there’s a legend behind it.
According to tradition, a mythical monster named Nian would show up at the start of the new year and terrorize villages. People discovered he was scared of loud noises and the color red, so they decorated their homes with red paper, lanterns, and banners to scare him away.
How to use this in real life:
Set out red plates or napkins and tell the Nian story at snack time
Hang red lanterns near doors or windows
Add red accents to a classroom bulletin board
You don’t need to decorate every inch. One strong red moment does the job and gives you something to talk about beyond “this looks cute.”
Turn Red Envelopes into a Quick Win Activity
Lunar New Year red envelopes (hongbao) are traditionally given during Lunar New Year as a symbol of good luck and well wishes. Yes, they often include money but with kids, the meaning is what matters.
Instead of just handing them out, turn them into an activity that keeps kids engaged for more than 30 seconds.
Try this:
Hide 12 red envelopes around the room (one for each zodiac animal)
Inside each envelope: a sticker, chocolate coin, or simple note
Let kids hunt for them together, then open them as a group
Bonus points if you name the zodiac animals as you go. This works beautifully in classrooms and burns off energy without chaos.
Snack Smart with “Lucky” Foods
Food is a big deal during Lunar New Year, and many traditional foods are eaten because of what they symbolize. Even small, intentional choices go a long way.
Easy snack ideas:
Oranges or mandarins → wealth and good fortune
Dumplings → prosperity
Long noodles → long life
Even just saying, “We’re eating oranges because they represent good luck,” turns snack time into a moment kids remember.
Make It Current with the Year of the Fire Horse
Lunar New Year follows a 12-year zodiac cycle, and 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
Fire Horse energy means bold, confident, independent, and a little extra.
Here’s an easy way to bring this in:
Have kids gallop around the room for one minute
Then ask: “What’s one brave thing you want to try this year?”
It’s quick, gets wiggles out, and makes the celebration feel relevant instead of abstract.
Build Clean-Up into the Tradition (Yes, Really)
One Lunar New Year tradition is cleaning before the new year to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune.
This is your permission slip to make clean-up part of the activity.
How to frame it:
Set a short timer
Tell kids you’re “sweeping away last year’s bad luck”
Celebrate when the space is cleared
This way, even clean-up flows easily as part of the celebration.
Keep It Meaningful (Not Perfect)
Lunar New Year is about shared moments and the meaning behind them. The traditions, the stories, and the time spent together are what kids carry with them.
A red tablecloth.
A simple explanation of why the color matters.
A hands-on activity they can touch, build, or help set out.
Those small moments spark curiosity, respect, and connection. They give kids a window into a celebration that’s so important to millions of people around the world and a chance to learn more about honoring different cultures in a way that feels natural and age-appropriate.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Moment & Co
Lunar New Year is a celebration rooted in family, renewal, and good fortune, and sharing it with kids helps build curiosity, inclusivity, and respect for cultures beyond their own.
If you want decorating to feel simple and pulled together, explore our Lunar New Year party supplies designed to make celebrating easy, coordinated, and stress-free.
Wishing you a year filled with confidence, good luck, and all the bold energy of the Fire Horse!
