Chinese New Year Lucky Red Envelope Craft For Kids

An easy red envelope craft for teaching Lunar New Year traditions and holidays around the world.

This red envelope craft is a fun way to celebrate Lunar New Year while learning about traditions and holidays from around the world. I’ve created a Lucky Red Envelope Craft Template in both full colour and black-and-white, with printable Chinese coins for children to cut out and place inside their envelopes. You can find it in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Before getting started with the craft, it’s helpful for children to understand what lucky red envelopes are and why they are an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations.

What Is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year marks the start of a brand-new year and is celebrated by families in many parts of the world. During this time, people follow special traditions to share good wishes. One of these traditions is giving lucky red envelopes, called hongbao. These red envelopes usually contain money and are given as a way to wish others good luck and happiness for the year ahead.

Why Are Red Envelopes Important?

Red is a meaningful colour in Lunar New Year celebrations. It is often linked to good luck, happiness, and positive energy. Because of this, red envelopes are believed to help bring good fortune to the person who receives them and are an important part of the celebration.

Who Gives and Receives Red Envelopes?

Traditionally, adults give red envelopes to children during Lunar New Year. Married adults may also give them to younger family members to share good luck and blessings. Red envelopes are often given during family visits and celebrations at this time of year.

Today, some families also share red envelopes with friends or use them to pass on kind wishes, making the tradition a meaningful way to celebrate together.

What’s Inside a Red Envelope?

Inside a red envelope, there is usually a small amount of money. Sometimes it may also include a short note or message to wish someone happiness, good health, or success. What matters most isn’t how much is inside — it’s the kind thought and good wishes being shared.

Red Envelope Craft for Kids

A red envelope craft is a simple and child-friendly way to explore this tradition. Instead of using real money, children can fill their envelopes with paper coins, drawings, kind messages, or even chocolate coins!

This type of craft helps children:

• Learn about cultural traditions
• Practise fine motor skills
• Share kindness and positive wishes

Lucky Red Envelope Craft Template

To make this activity easy to set up, I’ve created a Lucky Red Envelope Craft Template designed especially for children.

The resource includes:

• Full colour and black-and-white red envelope templates
• Printable Chinese coins to cut out and place inside
• A simple, no-prep format — just print and create

This makes it ideal for classrooms, home education, or Lunar New Year celebrations where you want something meaningful without lots of preparation.

You can find the Lucky Red Envelope Craft Template in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Children can think about who they would like to give their envelope to and what kind wishes they would like to share, helping them connect creativity with thoughtfulness.

Thanks for reading

Joanne