Make a fun paper dragon craft for Lunar New Year! This lucky dragon paper chain craft includes a free printable template and a wiggly dragon kids can play with.
Dragons have always held a special place in our home, so it felt only right to create a dragon craft to celebrate Lunar New Year. This Lucky Dragon Paper Chain Craft is colorful, hands-on, and extra fun because once kids finish making it… they can actually play with it.
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Unlike a flat paper craft, this dragon bends, wiggles, and moves thanks to its paper chain body — which makes it perfect for imaginative play and storytelling.
Looking for more fun ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with kids? See all our Chinese New Year Activities Here, like this Chinese New Year Red Envelope Math Activity and Free Printable for Kids. These activities and books are perfect for home, classroom, or after-school fun — and they pair beautifully with our Paper Dragon Craft.
Chinese Dragons & Lunar New Year
In Chinese culture, dragons are powerful symbols of strength, wisdom, protection, and good fortune. Unlike the fire-breathing dragons often seen in Western stories, Chinese dragons are seen as kind and lucky creatures that bring rain, prosperity, and success.
Dragons are closely connected to Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in many Asian cultures and follows the lunar calendar. Each year is represented by one of the twelve zodiac animals, and while it isn’t always the Year of the Dragon, dragons remain an important symbol during Lunar New Year celebrations. You’ll often see dragon decorations, dances, and artwork used to welcome good luck and positive energy for the year ahead.
In our home, dragons have always been especially meaningful because my son was born in the Year of the Dragon. Even in years that aren’t ruled by the dragon, we love finding ways to include them in our Lunar New Year celebrations — which made this craft feel extra special for our family.
Why Kids Love This Dragon Craft
One of the coolest things about this craft is the paper chain body. Because it’s made of linked loops, the dragon can bend, stretch, and twist — which means kids don’t just make it and set it aside.
After we finished ours, my kids immediately started coming up with dragon adventures:
- Flying through mountains
- Guarding treasure
- Dancing in a Lunar New Year parade
It turned into both a craft and a toy, which is always a win.
Supplies Needed
- Dragon template (head and tail): PDF download available at the end of this post
- Paper strips (cut to 1 inch x 6 inches) (This pack of colored paper has the perfect colors!)
- Stapler or glue
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils (optional)
- Glitter or other decorations (optional)
How to Make a Paper Chain Dragon
Ready to build a lucky dragon? Watch the short video to begin.
- Create the paper chains: Take one paper strip, form it into a loop, and staple or glue it closed. Slide the next strip through the first loop, then close it to create a chain. Continue until the chain is as long as you’d like.
- Decorate the dragon head and tail: Let kids color and decorate the dragon’s head and tail using markers, crayons, or glitter. This is a great time to talk about bright colors and patterns often seen in Lunar New Year decorations.
- Attach the tail: Loop the dragon’s tail onto the very last paper chain and secure it with glue or a stapler.
- Attach the head: Glue or staple the dragon’s head to the first paper chain loop.
- Play and imagine!: Once dry, your dragon is ready to wiggle, bend, and go on adventures.
A Fun Lunar New Year Activity for Home or Classroom
This Lucky Dragon Paper Chain Craft is simple enough for young kids, engaging for older kids, and works beautifully as a Lunar New Year activity at home or in the classroom. It encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play — all while celebrating a meaningful holiday.
And if your kids love dragons as much as mine do, don’t be surprised if this dragon becomes part of their play long after Lunar New Year is over. 🐲✨
Download the Template
Print the Directions
How to Make Your Paper Dragon Craft
Materials
- Dragon template (head and tail)
- Paper strips (cut to 1 inch x 6 inches)
- Stapler or glue
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils (optional)
- Glitter or other decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Create the paper chains: Take one paper strip, form it into a loop, and staple or glue it closed. Slide the next strip through the first loop, then close it to create a chain. Continue until the chain is as long as you’d like.
- Decorate the dragon head and tail: Let kids color and decorate the dragon’s head and tail using markers, crayons, or glitter. This is a great time to talk about bright colors and patterns often seen in Lunar New Year decorations.
- Attach the tail: Loop the dragon’s tail onto the very last paper chain and secure it with glue or a stapler.
- Attach the head: Glue or staple the dragon’s head to the first paper chain loop.
- Play and imagine!: Once dry, your dragon is ready to wiggle, bend, and go on adventures.