Posted on July 14, 2023 by Grace Fithian
China is one of the oldest and most populous countries in the world. Naturally, this indicates a rich culture developed throughout thousands upon thousands of years, and multiple languages with many variations of dialect and origin. Oznoz offers the opportunity for your children to learn Mandarin with a multitude of animated shows, some of which are widely known across the world. Oznoz additionally provides access to shows that not only help with familiarity of the language, but also integrate aspects of Chinese culture and heritage for a more well-rounded understanding.
There are a plethora of activities that can supplement your child’s language learning, and hands-on activities can be especially beneficial for younger children. This lantern craft can help make you and your child feel more confident in their understanding of Chinese culture and give them topics to communicate about when speaking the language! Paper lanterns that include reds indicate good luck and are used during Chinese New Year, celebrated according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
What you’ll need:
- 2 pieces of construction paper (preferably red)
- Scotch tape or glue stick
- Ruler
- Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
- Glitter (optional)
Instructions:
- Take a rectangular sheet of construction paper and cut a strip off the side, cutting vertically. Aim for a width of about one inch.
- Fold the paper upwards in half and draw a line horizontally, about an inch from the top
- From the folded side, begin cutting equally wide sections up to the horizontal line, not cutting all the way through enough to sever the piece from the rest of the paper.
- Unfold the paper and apply any decorations
- Bring the edges together to create a 3-dimensional lantern, then tape or glue the edges together so that they overlap slightly
- Now, take the strip that you cut off in the first step and glue each end to the top of the lantern to create a handle to hang it from.