Thumbprint Chinese Zodiac Craft for Kids

This year for Chinese New Year, we decided to make a thumbprint Chinese zodiac craft and a paper bag handprint Chinese dragon puppet. My son it and will be making his own later today. I made this one with my daughter but since Big Brother is into drawing, he will probably look at this one and draw the animals instead. You could also print clipart and have the child glue them in place.

At the end of the post are even more Chinese New Year crafts to make with kids!

How to make the Thumbprint Chinese Zodiac Craft

Supplies:

• red ink pad or red paint
• black pen and/or marker
• ruler
• construction paper
• cardboard circle - optional

Start by tracing the cardboard circle on to yellow or white construction paper, then cut it out. Fold the circle in half, then half again. Fold into thirds so when you open it back up it has twelve triangles.

Use a ruler to draw lines with a marker where the folds are.

Towards the top of each section is where you will be making  the Chinese animals. Look at an image of a Chinese Zodiac chart to see the order in which the animals are placed. Use thumbprints and fingerprints with either red ink or paint to make the animal bodies and heads. Keep in mind that harder press will make ovals and light presses using the of the finger will make a circle.

Use a black marker or pen to draw in the animal details. These are the animals you will be making: rat, pig, dog, rooster, monkey, sheep, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, and ox.

Draw a ring inside the circle just below the animals. Color every other triangle red. Print the Chinese characters/words for each animal. The ones we printed were a bit large so try to print it smaller if possible. Cut everything out and glue it to the corresponding animal. Print or draw a yin yang symbol for the center.

Hang it up or let the kids play with it. Use the chart to help them learn what each of the Zodiac signs mean such as characteristics. Don't forget to tell them which sign they are!

Want to make the dragon craft shown in the photo? Head over to this fingerprint dragon post to see how to make it!

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Chinese New Year Blog Hop with the Kid Blogger Network

• Chinese New Year Fortune God Mask - Witty Hoots
• Chinese Lantern Sun Catchers - The Gingerbread House
• TP Roll Chinese Lanterns - In the Playroom
• Cheese Chinese Lanterns - Danya Banya
• Wool Painted Fans - Crafts on Sea
• Sheep Stick Puppets - Best Toys 4 Toddlers
• Felt Shape Sheep - Mama Smiles
• Sheep Letter Recognition - Something 2 Offer
• Chinese (non firework) Firecrackers - Peakle Pie
• Chinese New Year Card - Creative World of Varya
• Chinese Dragon Puppets - Messy Little Monster
• Paper Plate Chinese Dragon - Kiddy Charts
• Dragon Painting for Preschoolers - Learning and Exploring Through Play
• Bubble Wrap Sheep Craft - Multicrafting Mummy
• Chinese Dragon Dance - Study at Home Mamma
• Chinese Zodiac Animals in Lego - Planet Smarty Pants

We invite you to add your Chinese New Year posts to the linky below!