Lunar New Year

Now that our son is getting older, we are trying to establish our Lunar New Year traditions.  Some of our favorites so far are:

Lion Dances- this is hands down his favorite part of Lunar New Year.  We have been lucky to have performances at our local libraries, children's discovery centers, and local new year events.  If there is a lion dance, we're there!  We've seen traditional lion dances and more contemporary ones danced to Michael Jackson soundtracks.  

Good Food- Dumplings, noodles, and onion pancakes are our favorites. And of course for everything else we can't make, we hit up our favorite local eateries to celebrate.  

We are also trying out new recipes for desserts- sticky sweet rice balls (Tāng yuán).  

Red Pocket Money-  As he's gotten older, he's starting to catch on to red pocket money and how the money inside can buy things like snacks, toys and candy.  The world of red pocket money is great when you're a kid- you always win!  And the best part is that red pocket money isn't limited to Lunar New Year.  The rule of thumb is you usually give out red pocket money to children, older children in school or young adults without a steady income and your parents.  

Lunar New Year Books- Our son's our favorite thing to do besides watch lion dances is to read.  Nighttime story time starts off with 3 books and ends with him always negotiating for around 5 more before he will go to sleep.  We've found some great reads for the new year.  

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin

Ruby's Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee

Mulan's Lunar New Year by Natasha Yim

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year by by Kate Waters and Madeline Slovenz-Low

Shop our Lunar New Year Toys:

• Shop our Lion Puppets
• Shop our Pretend Play Toys