Family Matters: Chinese New Year Projects & More

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Friday, February 11, 2011

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

Midwinter is here, which brings joys (Chinese New Year) and challenges (what to do inside this weekend?)... here are three tips for Rhode Island families.

Kido Tip 1. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year (this year February 3rd) and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is

celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. Teach your kids about rabbits and Chinese culture through books, food and crafts. Follow simple instructions from YINGMAI ARTS on how to make your own paper laterns for the festival.

Kido Tip 2. It starts with a box

What can you do with a big box or bunch of little ones? A cozy house, a rocket to the moon, and a puppet theater are all within reach when you’ve got a box. Read Kidoinfo on how to make your own puppet theater from an old refrigerator box.

Kido Tip 3. Make plans now for public school vacation week

After the valentines are unwrapped and all of the chocalates have been eaten, wrap your mind around this: public school vacation week is right around the corner. Have you made plans yet for what you will be doing with the kids all week? Line up babysitters, childcare swaps with friends and check the Kidoinfo calendar for local happenings. Rhode Island will be hopping with special events during school vacation week. Unless your family’s heading South (or North), we recommend mapping out some vacation week plans now to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Anisa Raoof is the publisher and founder of Kidoinfo, the parents' guide for Rhode Island and beyond.

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