Classroom printables, activities & worksheets

Lunar New Year 2023 Teaching Resources

Welcome the 2023 Lunar New Year with your students with a host of classroom-ready worksheets, printables, and activities for kids — created by teachers, for teachers! Whether you're looking to teach your kindergarten students about this important holiday to broaden their cultural horizons, or you're looking to teach your older elementary students about Lunar New Year as you study world history, we have you covered with printable and digital resources that have undergone a rigorous review by the teachers on our team. Not familiar with this winter holiday? Our teacher team has put together a quick guide to get you there!

When Is Lunar New Year 2023?

Much of the world celebrates the new year on January 1, but the Lunar New Year does not match the traditional calendar year. Instead, this holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world kicks off at the beginning of a calendar year based on the cycles of the moon — hence the name "lunar" new year. Because it's based on the moon, the actual date of the Lunar New Year varies from year to year. This year the Lunar New Year will be celebrated on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

What Animal Is the New Year 2023?

This topic is always a hit with young students! Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next. That means Lunar New Year in 2023 marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. Other animals of the zodiac include:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Why not have students look up the year they were born to find out what animal is associated with their birth year?

Lunar New Year vs. Chinese New Year

Your students may tell you that they have heard this holiday referred to as Chinese New Year. No, they didn't mishear! Chinese Americans and people from China celebrate this holiday annually with a special festival, which is why it's often called Chinese New Year. However, this isn't a holiday that's singular to China. Many people from around East Asia also mark the start of a new year at this time, including people of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Here are some other names for the holiday that you may want to share with your students: