Chinese New Year Craft Dragon Puppet Printable
Introduction
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, feasting, and gift-giving. This holiday is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world, and it usually falls between late January and mid-February. One of the most popular traditions during Chinese New Year is the dragon dance. People believe that the dragon can bring good luck and fortune, and the dance is performed to scare away evil spirits. In this article, we will show you how to make a Chinese New Year dragon puppet using a printable template.
Materials
To make this craft, you will need:
- Printable dragon puppet template
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Tape
- Colorful construction paper
- Markers or crayons
- String or yarn
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your own Chinese New Year dragon puppet:
- Print the dragon puppet template on white cardstock or heavy paper.
- Cut out the different parts of the template using scissors.
- Color the dragon's body and head using markers or crayons.
- Cut thin strips of colorful construction paper to make the dragon's mane, tail, and other decorations.
- Glue the strips of paper onto the dragon's body and head, making sure to leave some space between each strip.
- Attach the dragon's head to its body using tape or a glue stick.
- Use a hole punch to make two holes on the dragon's body, near the front legs and back legs.
- Thread a piece of string or yarn through each hole, and tie the ends together to make a loop.
- Your Chinese New Year dragon puppet is now ready to be used!
How to Use the Dragon Puppet
You can use your dragon puppet to reenact the traditional dragon dance during Chinese New Year celebrations. Here's how:
- Gather a group of friends or family members to form a dragon dance team. Each person should hold onto a section of the string or yarn that is attached to the dragon puppet.
- Start the music and begin dancing! The leader of the team should move the dragon's head and body in time with the beat of the music.
- As you dance, the team should move the dragon puppet up and down, making it look like the dragon is flying and jumping.
- The dragon dance is usually performed outside, and it can be quite loud and energetic. Don't be afraid to make noise and have fun!
Conclusion
Making a Chinese New Year dragon puppet is a fun and easy way to celebrate this important holiday. By following these simple instructions, you can create your own dragon puppet and join in the festivities. Remember, the dragon dance is a symbol of good luck and fortune, so let's dance our way into a prosperous new year!