A simple Chinese New Year craft preschoolers will love
Chinese New Year crafts are some of my favorite activities to do with kids because they combine creativity, culture, and hands-on learning. This Year of the Horse headband craft is especially fun for preschoolers because they can color, cut, and wear their finished project proudly.
And honestly? Any craft that doubles as a dress-up item is automatically a win.
This activity works great at home, in preschool classrooms, daycare settings, or for a Chinese New Year celebration.
Why kids love this craft
Kids love crafts they can wear and play with afterward, and this horse headband checks all the boxes. It’s simple enough for younger children but still engaging for older preschoolers.
Plus, coloring with crayons gives the horse a fun textured look that makes every headband unique.
Supplies you’ll need
- Horse head printable
- White cardstock or construction paper for the headband strip
- Crayons (brown, black, pink, tan)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Stapler (for sizing the headband)
How to make the horse headband
Step 1: Color the horse
Let kids color the horse using crayons.
We used:
- Brown for the face
- Black for the mane
- Pink for the ears
- Tan for the nose
Encourage kids to color in small strokes so the crayon texture shows through.
Step 2: Cut out the horse head
Carefully cut around the outside outline of the horse.
Younger children may need help with this step.
This is great scissor-practice time.
Step 3: Make the headband
Cut a long strip of cardstock about 2 inches wide.
Wrap it around the child’s head to measure, then staple or tape it into a circle.
Step 4: Attach the horse
Glue or tape the horse head to the front of the band.
Let dry — then it’s ready to wear!
Skills this activity builds
This simple craft supports several important early childhood skills:
Fine motor skills
- Coloring
- Cutting
- Gluing
Creativity and self-expression
- Choosing colors
- Personalizing the horse
Cultural awareness
- Learning about Chinese New Year
- Talking about the zodiac animals
Following directions
- Completing steps in order
Make it a learning moment
You can turn this into a mini lesson by talking about the Chinese zodiac.
You might say something like:
“Each year in the Chinese zodiac is represented by an animal. This year is the Year of the Horse! Horses are known for being strong, energetic, and hardworking.”
Kids love connecting crafts to stories and traditions.
If you’re doing this with a group of kids, prep the headband strips ahead of time. It keeps the activity moving and helps prevent frustration.
Also — don’t worry about perfection. The charm of preschool crafts is in the crayon scribbles, crooked cuts, and big proud smiles.
Leave a Reply