Celebrating Chinese New Year with Kids

This post is sponsored by Cost Plus World Market but the ideas and opinions are my own.

Celebrating Chinese New Year with kids can be super fun with amazing products and treats from Cost Plus World Market.  It is a great opportunity to get rid of anything yucky and create a new year of dreams and good fortune.  From creative recipes to candy and crafts, sharing the traditions for Chinese New Year is a great way to teach kids about another culture.  These ideas are great to do at home, in a classroom or even with a Girl Scout troop.  My favorite Chinese tradition is Eight Treasure Rice.

To get started, let’s make some eight treasure rice.  This tradition goes back to Western Zhuou Dynasty in ancient China. That’s over 2000 years in making of history!  Eight-Treasure Rice is traditional served during Chinese New Year celebrations and at festival banquets.  The idea is to hide eight treasures in the rice treat (treasures being dried fruits, nuts, etc.)  Gathering the treasures is quite fun.

If your kiddos would prefer, you can always use gummy candies as a substitute just for fun.

Print

Yum

Eight -Treasure Rice

Ingredients

• 3 C Sticky Rice Mixed with 2 TBSP Sugar and 1 TBSP Coconut Oil
• Eight Different Dried Fruits, Nuts or Candies (Maraschino Cherries, Mandarin Oranges, Figs, Dates, Etc.)
• Sweetened Red-Bean Paste (or Chinese Fermented Black Bean Marinade)

Instructions

1. Layer the rice and bean paste. It is easiest to mold the sticky rice first either in a bowl or a dish.
2. Add the eight different dried fruits, nuts and candies (either in the layers or on the top and sides to decorate).
3. Serve chilled.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

0.1

http://www.meandmyinklings.com/index.php/2018/02/13/celebrating-chinese-new-year-with-kids/

I seriously love these floral dishes for Chinese foods.  They make for Great Chinese New Year decorations  for this holiday celebration.

Kids love candy.  World Market has a variety of candies to create a fun assortment for creating a candy bar that is perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year.  From fortune cookies to rice candy and chocolate zodiac coins; there is a sweet treat for everyone.  They make great favors or little Chinese New Year gifts.

The eight-treasure rice and the sweet candy treats are perfect to eat while completing these fun printable puzzles and games.  You can download the activities and get started right away.

Did you know that 2018 is the Year of the Dog.  I am actually a monkey.   The zodiac cycles every twelve years so anyone born this year will be a dog and then no more baby dogs until 2030.  This calendar was made long ago by the Jade Emperor.  He did it based on by which animals arrived at his palace first upon invitation.  The rat was first in the face because he rode on the back of the ox.  The pig was last because he stopped to eat!

If you are having a Chinese New Year celebration, here are some must haves!  You can find a store near you or shop online.  I, of course, shopped for my great things at Southlands Shopping Center.

• Zodiac Chocolate Medallions
• Fortune Cookies
• Chinese Black Bean Marinade
• Lucky Cat Salt and Pepper Shaker
• White Rabbit Cream Candy
• Botan Rice Candy
• Floral Border Dinnerware
• Dried Fruit Medley
• Cashews

Happy Celebration and Good Fortune To You,

Laura