Miffy Fun Activities

Chinese New Year is the perfect time to celebrate family and new beginnings. As 2019 is the Year of the Pig, here are some snacks and crafts inspired by Miffy’s friend Poppy Pig to welcome in the new year! Don’t forget to show off the finished product and tag Miffy on Instagram and Facebook.

Miffy Paper Lanterns

Miffy and her friends love arts and crafts! These festive paper lanterns make for easy and fun decorations.

Materials:

• Miffy template (download and print here)
• Scissors
• Stapler or tape
• Ruler
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons

To make:

• Print the Miffy template.
• Cut off a strip above the top row of images. This will serve as lantern’s handle.
• Fold the remaining paper in half.
• Starting at the creased edge, cut along the dotted lines. Be sure to stop cutting where the dotted line ends.
• Unfold the paper. Optional: Decorate the folds with colored pencil, markers, or crayons.
• Form the lantern shape by securing the outermost long ends with tape or staples.
• Attach the handle on top with tape or staples. Optional: Attach ribbons to the bottom of the lantern for extra color and flair.
• Hang the lantern and admire your handiwork!

*Scissors and staplers should be used with parental supervision or aid.

Snack-tivity: Sweet rice balls

Sweet rice balls (traditionally called Tang Yuan) are a Chinese New Year staple, representing family and togetherness. As Poppy and Grunty know well, time with family is a treasure – as are these delicious treats!

Ingredients:

Filling:

• ¼ cup black or white sesame seeds
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ stick unsalted butter, softened

Wrapper:

• 8 oz. glutinous rice flour (get it at a specialty grocery store, Asian supermarket, or on Amazon)
• ¾ cup water

Directions:

• Toast sesame seeds over medium heat. The seeds may start popping as they are toasting, so be sure to use a lid. Be careful not to burn!
• Use a food processor to grind the cooled sesame seeds into a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl, adding sugar and butter until it forms a paste (If too dry, add more butter).
• In a large bowl, mix the rice flour with water until it becomes a smooth paste and stops sticking to your hands. Add more rice flour or water as necessary. Divide into 16-20 balls.
• Flatten each ball and place a dollop of sesame paste inside. Fold the edge to seal the rice ball.
• Heat up a pot of boiling water. Carefully place rice balls in the water. As soon as they float to the top, remove from the pot and transfer to a clean bowl.
• Enjoy immediately! (Optional: If desired, serve in a simple syrup)

*Recipe should be followed with adult supervision

Songs for Chinese New Year

No festivity is complete without a playlist! Here are some themed songs for the new year.

“Chinese New Year Song for Kids”

“Gong Xi Gong Xi”