Blog: Welcome the Year of the Dragon

With schools closed this Friday, I was searching for ideas to have a little fun with the kids without having to travel far from home.  Chinese New Year ushered in the "Year of the Dragon" this week: the perfect opportunity to create a fun filled theme day with the family.  With a little creativity, and perhaps a few of the ideas below, you too can celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style!

The color red plays an important part of the Chinese New Year tradition. Play upon this custom by having everyone wear his or her best red outfit for the day.  If you have red construction paper on hand, you can create your own paper cut outs, representing health and happiness to your family for the upcoming year.

Make your own “dragon eggs” for a snack. Simply take hard boiled eggs and roll them in a small amount of vinegar and water. Place the eggs back in the carton, then drip several drops of food coloring on top of each egg and let it slide down the sides. Use two different colors to create an extra cool dragon look.

Stop at your and pick up a book by Grace Lin. I suggest The Year of the Dog in which she recounts celebrating Chinese New Year. 

Keeping with a dragon theme, watch the animated family movie How to Tame Your Dragon. When the movie is over, have your family members draw and describe their own new type of dragon.  Then combine the best features of each drawing into your very own family dragon! 

Consider ordering some take-away Chinese from a local restaurant.  in the Carroll Plaza Shopping Center has always been a favorite of my family.  Try a variety new menu items and eat with chopsticks to make your dinner more of an adventure!

Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy New Year)