Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Celebrations · The activity desk
Zodiac snake pattern
Color a snake picture and make a repeating pattern for Chinese New Year.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
The zodiac snake page or paper and two child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Print the page, or draw a snake head followed by six large circles.
Adult's role: Explain that the snake is one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. Help the child notice a pattern without correcting their choices.
Let's make it happen
- Choose two crayon colors for the snake's body.
- Color one circle with the first color and the next with the second color.
- Continue the pattern or make your own, then draw a place for the snake to visit.
Make it simpler: Choose one color and fill in a single circle together.
Clean up: Put crayons away and keep or recycle the page.
Families celebrate Chinese New Year in different ways. Follow the child's interest and let them choose their own colors.