Stephanie 
Snowy mornings have let us have a slower start, we stay in our pajamas just a little longer, make a mess at the kitchen table, and turn learning into something cozy and fun. It’s also fun to have the big kids at home.
This week, our indoor learning included Chinese New Year. I wanted to introduce the holiday in a way that felt meaningful—but still simple enough for my preschooler and younger school aged kids —so we started with a story.
The Great Race: A Chinese New Year Legend
One of the most well-known Chinese New Year stories is the Great Race, a traditional legend that explains how the 12 Chinese zodiac animals were chosen. We read a child-friendly version of the story adapted from China Highlights, a trusted resource for Chinese culture and traditions.
According to the legend, long ago the Jade Emperor wanted a way to keep track of time. He invited all the animals in the land to take part in a race. The first twelve animals to cross the river and reach him would each earn a year named after them.
Race day arrived, and the animals gathered at the river’s edge. Some animals were fast. Others were strong. A few were clever.
The Ox was strong and steady, carefully crossing the river. The tiny Rat, quick-thinking as ever, rode on the Ox’s back and jumped ahead at the last moment to finish first. The Tiger fought against the rushing water, while the Rabbit hopped across stones and floating logs. Even the powerful Dragon stopped to help others before finishing the race.
One by one, twelve animals crossed the river, and the order they arrived became the zodiac order that we still celebrate year after year to this day:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
This year, we’re welcoming the Year of the Horse—an animal often associated with energy, curiosity, and movement, which honestly sounds a lot like my kids most days.
After reading the story (and retelling it about three times—because kids often stop you and have questions), we brought it to life with simple activities. I’m a big believer that young kids learn best when they can touch, see, and play, not just listen.
So I put together a small set of FREE Chinese New Year printables that work perfectly for preschool and early learners:
✔️ Learning the 12 Chinese zodiac animals through tracing and writing
✔️ Salt-writing the Chinese character 马 (mǎ), which means horse—a fun sensory activity
✔️ A Lunar New Year–themed I Spy, perfect for quiet time and visual learning
Everything is low-prep, budget-friendly, and easy to fit into a busy day—whether you’re homeschooling, supplementing preschool, or just looking for an activity to do together.
Simple Traditions, Lasting Memories
I love that Chinese New Year gives me a chance to tell stories and explore my culture with my kids in an age-appropriate way. My older kids already know the story but love hearing it all the same. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes, all it takes is a good story, a handful of rice or salt, and a cozy morning at home.
If you’d like to use these activities with your kids, you can download the FREE printables HERE!
Here’s to snowy mornings, curious little minds, and learning through play.
