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Chinese Culture for Kids From Professional Mandarin Teachers

Chinese culture for kids is a vibrant tapestry woven with history, traditions, and customs that leave us fascinated. But how do we bring this profoundness closer to children? This article looks at the wonders of Chinese culture specifically tailored for young minds, aiming to ignite curiosity and foster understanding about China’s rich cultural heritage. If you are looking for a way to introduce your children to the fascinating world of Chinese culture, this piece is just for you! Feel free to read it together with your child and embark on an enriching journey of discovery.

Chinese Culture for Kids Lesson 1 –  Chinese Festivals

One of the most exciting ways to explore Chinese culture is through festivals. They are a reflection of a long history of traditions carried on! Let us start with the Spring Festival, also called Chinese New Year – it is most well-known across the globe. Chinese New Year is the oldest traditional festival there is! – It is a fantastic spectacle of fireworks, dragon dances, and family gatherings. It’s a time when kids learn about the importance of family.

It is the festival famous for the giving of red envelopes (Hongbao) filled with money for good luck and prosperity. You must know that every year, almost half a billion people, working or studying far away from their homes, commute back home just to celebrate this time with their family! There is one week of public holiday specifically for this festival, because family reunions carry much value.

Another festival is the Mid-Autumn Festival. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese traditional calendar! It may even be called the Moon festival in some languages such as German. This is because it is believed that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size that day, also marking harvest time in the middle of autumn. That day you eat lots of mooncakes and spend the night gazing at the bright, round moon!

Chinese Culture for Kids Lesson 2 – The Chinese Cuisine

Because we have just mentioned mooncakes – did you know that the Chinese cuisine is extremely profound with many diverse dishes? Today we will tell you about three famous Chinese treats, which, perhaps you have even eaten once yourself!

Mooncakes 月饼 yuè bǐng

Chinese Culture for Kids Mooncake

Mooncakes are a traditional Chinese pastry famously associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. A mooncake is a round or square pastry with a thick filling, typically enclosed in a thin, tender crust. Mooncakes can range from small, snack-sized rounds to larger cakes meant to be shared. While the traditional shape is round, symbolizing completeness and unity, many are also made in square forms.

Related Reading: Mid-Autumn Festival Vocabulary

Red Bean Buns 豆沙包 dòu shā bāo

A red bean bun is a type of soft, sweet bread filled with red bean paste. Red bean buns hold significant cultural importance in East Asia. They are commonly consumed during various festivals and celebrations, including the Chinese New Year! Have you tried it before?

Chinese Culture for Kids red bean bun

Tangyuan 汤圆 tāng yuán

Tangyuan is a traditional Chinese dessert that is especially popular during the Lantern Festival and Winter Solstice celebrations. They are sweet, chewy dumplings! Tangyuan consists of rice flour balls, which are either plain or stuffed with various fillings, and are typically served in a sweet soup or syrup!

Chinese Culture for Kids tang yuan

Chinese Culture for Kids Lesson 3 – Traditional Chinese Art

Chinese Calligraphy, with its elegant brush strokes, teaches patience and precision, and is a fun way for kids to learn about the Chinese language and artistic expression. Similarly, traditional Chinese paintings offer a glimpse into the country’s love for nature, with bamboo, mountains, water, and flowers as the focus of the paintings. Chinese art and music closely go together with Chinese philosophy, and it can be an interesting and fun exercise to analyse artworks and learn about Chinese philosophical thinking at the same time!

The Magic of Chinese Mythology and Philosophy

Chinese mythology is filled with captivating stories that are both educational and entertaining. Tales of ancient mythical creatures like the dragon, and legendary heroes such as the Monkey King also impart moral lessons and cultural values.

Dragon (龙, Lóng): Perhaps the most iconic Chinese mythological creature, dragons in Chinese mythology are benevolent beings associated with strength, good luck, and water. They are thought to control rainfalls and bodies of water and are symbols of power and royalty.

Related Reading: What does Chinese Dragon Tattoo Mean?

Chinese Culture for Kids chinese dragon

Phoenix (凤凰, Fènghuáng): The phoenix is another highly revered creature, often seen as a symbol of grace and virtue. According to myth, the phoenix appears only in times of peace and prosperity. It is commonly paired with the dragon as a symbol of marital harmony and yin-yang balance.

Chinese Culture for Kids phoenix

You have heard it before! But what is Yin and Yang?

Yin (阴): Yin is symbolized by the colour black and represents elements that are wet, dark, cool, feminine, and passive. It is associated with the moon, water, and earth.

Yang (阳): Yang is represented by the colour white. Yang stands for qualities that are dry, bright, warm, masculine, and active. It corresponds to the sun, fire, and sky.

Yin and Yang are all about balance. The balance between these two forces is crucial for achieving harmony in one’s life, health, and the environment. Too much or too little of something can cause disharmony or disorder.

Chinese Culture for Kids yin yang

Chinese Culture for Kids Lesson 4 – Playing Traditional Games

Have you heard of the game 毽子 jiàn zi before? If not, you certainly have played something similar at once! It is a traditional Chinese game that children in China have played for generations! It works by keeping a shuttlecock in the air, using the feet or the head, but not your hands! You play it together with other children. You try to kick or propel the shuttlecock back into the air as many times as possible.
A skipping rope most likely also originated from China! What was your record of jumps in a row you landed?

Chinese Culture for Kids jianzi

Lastly, let us look at Chinese chess, also known as “xiàng qí” (象棋). It is a board game that is very popular in China. It shares some similarities with the chess you know, but also features unique elements and rules that make it distinct. The board is divided into two territories by a “river” in the middle. The pieces are placed on the intersections (points) of the board lines, not in the squares as in international chess. Each player controls an army of 16 pieces. They include one General (King), two Advisors, two Elephants, two Chariots (Rooks), two Horses (Knights), two Cannons, and five Soldiers (Pawns) – Soldiers move and capture by advancing one point forward, and once they cross the river, they can also move horizontally! Now, each piece moves differently, and their movement is often more restricted compared to their counterparts in international chess. The main goal in Chinese chess is to checkmate the opponent’s General. Different to international chess, the General must stay within the confines of the “palace,” a 3×3 area at each end of the board. You should try playing it once! It is really fun.

Chinese Culture for Kids xiangqi

Video: How to Play Chinese Chess

Related: Play Chinese Chess Online

By learning about Chinese festivals, the Chinese cuisine, arts, mythology, and games, kids gain a greater appreciation for China as an ancient culture that continues to thrive and influence the world today!

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