5 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year

Introduce your kids to Chinese customs with these family-friendly activities, like DIY "fireworks" and good-luck dishes. Gong Hey Fat Choy!

By Grace Gavilanes

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The Legend

The start of Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese calendar, a hybrid of the Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Because the track of the new moon changes from year to year, Chinese New Year can begin on any date between late January and mid-February. January 23, 2012 will mark the start of Chinese New Year--more specifically, the year of the dragon. According to legend, Buddha asked all of the animals to meet with him on Chinese New Year. When twelve animals showed up, Buddha named a year after each of them.

Teach your kids about Chinese New Year traditions by reading Joan Holub's Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year. >>

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Will you be celebrating Chinese New Year with your family? Tell Us.

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