Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts

How to Have the Best New Year Eve Party with Kids

Ideas for the Best New Year Eve Party 

What does it take to have the best new year eve party ever with kids? It depends on your expectations, of course. If you want to throw a memorable party with glitz and polish, planning is a necessity. However, a spur of the moment party with family and close friends can become a favorite memory. We're sharing some tips on how to have the best New Year's party with kids. The key is to have fun foods and simple games that everyone can play together. Scroll down for games and activities for your party. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.


How to Have the Best New Year Eve Party with Kids


Things to do in Tampa with Kids: Lowry Park Zoo

Have you taken your kids to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa?

The Lowry Park Zoo is the perfect thing to do in Tampa with kids. The zoo is consistently voted the #1 zoo in America. We were lucky enough to visit the zoo during Zoominations. Admission to the zoo is all inclusive. That means, buy one ticket and ride as many rides as you want! 

Tampa Zoo African Safari Ride
Don't miss the African safari ride.
We loved Zoominations so much, that it wasn't until we returned home that we realized we hadn't taken any pictures of the animals! Rest assured, the animals are the highlight! Scroll down to learn more about them and other activities at the Lowry Park Zoo. Enjoy!

Things to do in Tampa with Kids: Lowry Park Zoo
Things to do in Tampa with Kids: Lowry Park Zoo.
Zoominations at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
Zoominations at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
Sure, every zoo is similar. Every zoo has animals, but the way they live at the Lowry Park Zoo is special. The Aviary is amazing. You walk down a path where birds walk next to you or fly over your head- they aren't afraid. So many beautiful species call this aviary home. The parrot aviary at Busch Gardens (which is near the zoo) was nice, but if you wanted a bird to come see you, you had to buy special food to feed them. 

Chinese dragon picture
Chinese dragon lantern at the Lowry Park Zoo.

What is the meaning of the Chinese Dragon?
What is the meaning of the Chinese Dragon?
Beautiful elephant, Chinese lanterns.
Beautiful elephant, Chinese lanterns.

Cool dude enjoying the food at Wallaby Station.
My kids enjoyed the cafeteria just as much as the rest of the zoo! We have a membership to the Indianapolis Zoo, so we spend a lot of time there. Usually, we pack a lunch. At the Lowry Park Zoo, the food is in a room. Chefs are behind a wall. They have the most popular items ready to grab and go! If you want something else, they will quickly prepare it for you.

Once you've grabbed your main course, you walk to other windows and grab fruit, vegetables, water, drinks, and sides. The cash register is outside the room. There is very little wait time.

During our trip, the kids had their own money to budget. They were thrilled to be able to choose whatever they wanted and pay themselves! Jake didn't want to spend too much. He had a large slice of pizza, fries, and a soft drink for about $8. Mayhem... well, if you are a regular reader, you know how it goes. Mayhem spent about $20! She had the pizza, some fruit, chips, dessert, and drinks. The point is, you don't have to spend a lot of money, but you can if you go crazy! Self-serve isn't for everyone.  :)


Panda lanterns in front of the carousel at the zoo.
Panda lanterns in front of the carousel at the zoo.
Parade Chinese Dragon.
Chinese Dragon.



The elephant lanterns were right outside the Zoo Safari. This is the best safari ride we've ever taken. It is worth the wait. The safari area is enclosed with netting and gates that separate the animals. Many times, the safari vehicle stopped to wait for animals to pass. The guides are excellent! The information is interesting and informative. Feel free to ask questions.

Coy pond lantern sculptures.
Coy pond lantern sculptures.

Dinosaurs at the zoo.
These dinosaurs are Chinese lanterns too!
The primates are fun to watch. Just don't be like Jake! While watching the chimpanzees, he decided to climb a nearby tree. Oh my! I was busy chasing Mayhem, when I realized he wasn't with me. The grandparents found him in the tree. I thought they were joking! Not Jake. Yes, Jake.

While relaxing in a branch, he lost his sandal down the box that surrounded the tree. Yep, it looked like a scary place to go. I kept thinking about snakes, scorpions, and fire ants. Unhappily, (and forced by Mom) he jumped down into the sandy pit and got it. Life has consequences. Luckily, the chimpanzees didn't notice.

Beautiful peacock lanterns.
Beautiful peacock lanterns.

More peacock lanterns.
Koalas, tigers, rhinos, elephants, primates of all sorts, birds of all kinds, ponies, llamas, wolves, black bears, oh my! These are just some of the animals you'll see. There's a log ride, a carousel, train, bumper boats, mini-coaster and more! Shows and talks, and even a manatee hospital! The zoo has lots of vegetation, so it doesn't get too hot. Everyone will find something they enjoy.


Traditional Chinese Lanterns.
Traditional Chinese Lanterns.


Want discount admission? Enjoy the zoo for free on your birthday! If you are a member of your local zoo, you might get discounts or be admitted free with the zoo's reciprocal program.


Recommended:

Make a Chinese Dragon Craft

National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More!*

Visit the nearby Manatee Viewing Center

Make a Panda Craft

Zoo by Gail Gibbons*




What Year is 2015 in the Chinese New Year?

What year is it in Chinese New Year?

Wondering, what year is 2015 in Chinese New Year? 2015 is the year of the sheep (also goat and ram). The Chinese New Year, year of the sheep runs from February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016 or the Lunar New Year. In honor of 2015 Chinese New Year, we are sharing a free printable trace and color, sheep coloring sheetEnjoy!


What Year is 2015 in the Chinese New Year?
2015 is the year of the sheep.


Click the link for textfree Free Sheep Printable Coloring Page.


Year of the Sheep printable coloring page.
Sheep or Lamb printable coloring page.

The sheep is a favorite animal in Chinese culture. It is cute, warm, calm, and gentle. Like the sheep, people born under this sign are kind-hearted, clever, tender, and they are sensitive to art.


Recommended Reading:

Crafts to make for Chinese New Year

Sheep in a Jeep*

Year of the Horse

Sheep Calendar - 2015 Wall calendars*

Year of the Snake

Sheep: Small Scale Sheep Keeping (Hobby Farm)*













ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


What Year is 2014 in Chinese New Year?

It is the Chinese New Year, Year of the Horse 2014

Looking for a meaningful horse quote for Pinterest or Facebook for the Chinese New Year? It is the year of the horse! When is the Chinese New YearThe new Moon on January 30, 2014 begins the year of the Wood Horse. Chinese New Year is a spring festival that begins on the second new Moon after Winter Solstice, with the Sun and Moon are in Aquarius. Last year, 2013, was the year of the water snake. Enjoy!

What Year is 2014 in Chinese New Year? It is the Chinese New Year, Year of the Horse 2014. Horse Quotes for Pinterest.
Horse quote by Ovid for the year of the horse.

In Chinese astrology, this year is considered fortunate, bringing luck and good things. The Magical Horse has supernatural powers, is heroic, strong, and can even fly! The horse is a hero in China because important battles were won due to its power and strength.

Here is a fun horse word search from homeschoolhelpersonline.com or how about a horse coloring page printable from onlinecoloringbook.net. We have a Chinese Dragon New Year printable.


Recommended Reading:

Sign up for our free newsletter

Year of the Dragon

Bringing In the New Year (Read to a Child)*















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


When is Chinese New Year? It's the Year of the Water Snake Printable Coloring Page

When is Chinese New Year? It's the Year of the Water Snake

2013 Chinese New Year was Sunday, February 10. What animal is it? Nope, they don't do a Chinese Dragon every year. 2013 is the year of the Water Snake. What year is 2016? 2016 is the year of the Monkey. Here's a free printable snake coloring sheet. Enjoy!

When is Chinese New Year 2014? It is the year of the horse!

Snakes are revered, but not as much as the dragon. The snake is poised said to posses great wisdom, morality, and generally be financially secure. On the down side, a snake can be jealous and fickle.

When is Chinese New Year? Year of the Water Snake Printable Coloring Page
2013 is the year of the Water Snake. Right click to save to your computer and print or click here to print Snake Coloring Page PDF.

Find a Circus Dragon printable here.













ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Try These 9 New Year Activities for Kids: Games for a Night of Family Fun

Here are 9 fun New Year Activities for Kids for a night of family fun and games! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Are you staying home with the kids? Looking for fun games and activities to play on New Year's Eve? Try these 9 ideas to celebrate and have a great party with kids. Enjoy!


Try These 9 New Year Activities for Kids: Games for a Night of Family Fun.
New Year's Activities for Kids.





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Chinese New Year Craft for Kids make a Glitter Dragon

Chinese New Year Dragon Craft Pattern Activity

To make this easy Dragon Chinese New Year's Craft for Kids, we took a simple coloring page, cut it out, glued it to a piece of cardboard (empty cereal box), cut that out, then glued and glittered. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

Want to more learn more about China

The last part takes some patience but the results are worth it. 


Lay out your glitter. Add one color at a time and let dry. For example, take a bottle of school glue and fill in all the areas on the pattern that you would like green. Sprinkle on green glitter. Allow to dry completely. Shake off excess glitter. Repeat until all colors have been filled.


Chinese New Year Glitter Dragon Craft Activity for Kids
Chinese Dragon Craft Stencil with Glitter and Glue.

Happy Chinese New Year!  



















Chinese New Year Dragon Printable Pattern Coloring Sheet
Chinese Dragon Printable Pattern Template or  use it as a Coloring Page.


Right click on image of glitter pattern to copy and print.  





Tip: 
Trace your image with a pencil or light colored crayon so the lines do not show through the glitter. Reverse the image and make your Chinese Dragon double sided, and hang it from the ceiling.


Recommended Reading:


Bringing In the New Year (Read to a Child!)*

Chinese Dragon Lanterns

Chinese New Year Activities*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)