Are you looking for a fantastic Chinese New Year Dragon Craft idea? Then look no further. Today we have this brilliant dragon mask activity which the kids are going to love.
This is a fun and easy preschool dragon craft which you can make with the kids. I've even included free downloadable templates and it's a great way to introduce and teach kids about the Chinese New Year.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Cultural Learning: This craft introduces kids to Chinese culture and traditions, especially the significance of dragons in celebrations like Chinese New Year.
- Boosts Fine Motor Skills: This craft helps develop fine motor skills as kids cut, glue, and fold paper to create the dragon’s details.
- Perfect for Celebrations: It’s a fantastic craft to make during Chinese New Year or for a themed party, adding a festive touch to any event!
🎨 Supplies Needed
RELATED POST: EASY KIDS CRAFT DRAGON FLY MASK
🖌️ How To Make a Chinese Dragon Mask for the New Year
- Step 1: Before starting your craft you will need to download the dragon mask templates and print out. Templates are at the end of the post.
- Step 2: Cut out your Chinese dragon mask template out.
- Step 3: Trace the template onto cardstock and cut out. (refer to the photos)
- Step 4: Cut out the dragons nose template
- Step 5: After cutting out the dragon’s nose, use black marker to add detail and nostrils.
- Step 6: Cut out the dragon’s head scales and horns and set aside.
- Step 7: Cut out the template of the yellow face.
- Step 8: Use a black marker to add detail to the dragon’s head. (draw a line with pencil down the middle to get more accurate lines)
- Step 9: Glue the dragon’s head scales down and then glue the top of the dragon’s head over them.
- Step 10: Glue the nose in the middle of the dragon’s head.
- Step 11: Cut fire from cardstock and glue behind the dragon’s head, just below the nose.
- Step 12: Cut eye holes into the mask.
- Step 13: Fill the lines on the nose, nostrils, around the eyes, fire and horns with glue.
- Step 14: Cover the glue with glitter and allow it to dry. Shake off any excess glitter.
- Step 15: Glue a popsicle stick onto the back of the mask and allow the glue to dry.
Your Chinese New Year Dragon dragon craft is finished! What a fantastic dragon mask!
You can also make different colored dragon masks.
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule the craft for late morning when energy is high but focus is better than the post-lunch period, making for a smoother experience.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Simplify Shapes: Use oversized, easy-to-cut shapes for dragon parts to help younger kids stay confident and avoid struggling with fine details.
- Group by Task: Divide participants into teams assigned to specific parts like the dragon’s head, tail, or spine to keep roles clear and activity time balanced.
- Dry Fit First: Temporarily place all pieces together before attaching anything to catch sizing issues early and adjust spacing without redoing the entire project.
- Use a Neutral Backdrop: Place pieces on a plain white or light background while crafting so small elements don’t get lost or accidentally overlooked.
- Manage Glue Time: Glue sections in stages rather than all at once to maintain control and reduce smudging, especially during complex layering.
- Rotate Display Areas: Move finished dragon crafts between walls or boards every few days to keep the visual interest fresh and maintain group excitement.
💭 FAQs
Following steps in the correct order trains children to mentally organize actions, which is a foundational skill for academic planning later on.
High-contrast colors and shapes capture attention and help children distinguish layers, boosting both focus and early visual literacy.
Switching between tasks like folding, drawing, and assembling helps children adapt quickly and improves their cognitive flexibility over time.
Symmetrical craft work requires kids to mirror shapes and align parts, engaging both logic and creativity during the same activity.
Download Printable
Print out your free Dragon Mask Base, Mask Decoration, and Essentials here!
Chinese Dragon Craft
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Cardstock
- Glue
- Popsicle Sticks
- Glitter
- Black Marker
Instructions
- Before starting your craft you will need to download the dragon mask templates and print out. Templates are at the end of the post.
- Cut out your Chinese dragon mask template out.
- Trace the template onto cardstock and cut out. (refer to the photos)
- Cut out the dragons nose template
- After cutting out the dragon’s nose, use black marker to add detail and nostrils.
- Cut out the dragon’s head scales and horns and set aside.
- Cut out the template of the yellow face.
- Use a black marker to add detail to the dragon’s head. (draw a line with pencil down the middle to get more accurate lines)
- Glue the dragon’s head scales down and then glue the top of the dragon’s head over them.
- Glue the nose in the middle of the dragon’s head.
- Cut fire from cardstock and glue behind the dragon’s head, just below the nose.
- Cut eye holes into the mask.
- Fill the lines on the nose, nostrils, around the eyes, fire and horns with glue.
- Cover the glue with glitter and allow it to dry. Shake off any excess glitter.
- Glue a popsicle stick onto the back of the mask and allow the glue to dry.
- Your Chinese New Year Dragon dragon craft is finished! What a fantastic dragon mask!
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Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Thank you so much for the download. I appreciate it very much. This is what I will be doing this week with my group of 3rd graders.