2026 is the Year of the Horse and if you plan to celebrate the Lunar New Year with your kids and family, I have a fun and easy Chinese New Year horse paper hat for you to color, cut out and wear for the festivities.
The horse craft comes with a simple printable template that can be used in the classroom, if you are a teacher, or at home, while crafting with your kids.
The Chinese New Year horse paper hat features a horse with the year 2026 written underneath as well as the words Happy Chinese New Year. Because I like to offer options when it comes to my craft templates, I created four wording versions:
- 2026 Happy New Year
- 2026 Happy Chinese New Year
- 2026 Year Of The Horse
- 2026 Happy Year Of The Horse
You can pick your favorite, print out the headband and start coloring.
This is a fun Lunar New Year craft to make with preschoolers, kindergartners and elementary school aged kids in February.
Year of the Horse
The snake is the sixth animal in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, which corresponds to the Chinese calendar.
The Year of the Horse occurs every 12 years, and the last one it did it was in 2014.
Those born in the Year of the Horse are thought to be energetic, independent and freedom-loving individuals.
How to celebrate the Chinese New Year with kids?
Celebrating Chinese New Year with kids can be a fun and educational experience. Here are some ideas:
Decorate your home
Use traditional colors like red and gold for decorations, as they are believed to bring good luck and happiness. Make with your kids paper lanterns, dragon masks, or DIY horse paper crowns.
Chinese New Year Craft Printables
Learn about the Zodiac
Teach children about the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Read books or watch videos about the myths and stories behind Chinese New Year and the zodiac animals.
Make traditional food
This is an opportunity to try new foods such as dumplings and rice cakes. You can make them at home and involve kids in the kitchen or find an Asian restaurant close by.
DIY Chinese New Year Horse Paper Hat
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Supplies:
- Chinese horse hat printable
- White cardstock paper
- Colored pencils – my favorites
- Scissors
- Tape
How to make the Chinese New Year Horse Paper Hat
Print the headband on white paper.
Color the front piece and cut it out.
Tape two side panels to the front piece.
Bend the headband into a circle. Wrap it around the kid’s head to check for fit. Tape the ends together