Red envelopes are a fun Chinese New Year tradition that we incorporated into today’s math activities that include free printable 10-frame counting mats and an addition page for your preschooler, kindergartner, and first grader. As kid’s count lucky gold coins they can count or add the contents and see just how lucky they are.
Thanks to the Oriental Trading Co. we are ready to celebrate. We received these things pictured below for free to be able to share with you all the wonderful supplies they have to make any Chinese New Year party fun! I always love looking at their coupon page for the latest in sales. They have tons of little things that we like to use as manipulates that keep my kids interested in any activity–which is always a win when we are learning.
Mini Eraser Fortune Cookies—ahh these are so cute!
Chinese Zodiac Stickers-perfect for easy crafting
Red Envelopes-To have a Gong Hey Fat Choy
Gold Coins-complete with an Asian dragon
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Chinese New Year Red Envelope Math Activity
Supplies:
Chinese New Year Math Mats (available to download for free at the end of this post)
Black marker (optional)
Directions:
Place some gold coins in each envelope.
I wrote the number of each coin on the back of the envelopes so I could separate them because Little Tiger (age 6) is going to add with them so her envelopes have fewer coins inside. Little Dragon (age 4) is going to count the coins so he will be using the envelopes with the most coins.
Counting Activity:
Have child select one envelope, open it, and count the coins on the counting mat. Have child karate chop (place arm down on the mat) and slide the coins off to the side, place them back in the envelope and repeat the activity. You don’t have to do the karate chop part, but my kiddos always think that is fun.
Adding Activity:
Have child select one envelope, open it, and count the coins on the counting mat making sure they place them face up (Dragon side). Next, have the child select a second envelope and continue placing them on the counting mat putting them face down. The child can then count to see how many total they have or look at the number on the mat. I have included an addition page where they can write the number sentence on. For example the child would write 7+5=12 according to the photo below.
Number Recognition Activity:
Place coins all the number mat. Have child select a coin, place it in an envelope, name the number, and repeat until all the coins have been removed.
DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE HERE:
See all our: Chinese New Year Activities Here
Thanks for learning with us today. If you enjoyed this idea please pin & share it with others so they can enjoy it too! Love, Katie & the Kiddos

Love the variety of ways you can use this same activity! Thankyou!