Lunar New Year Gifts for Kids, With a Zodiac Twist
Fun, simple gifts for children at Lunar New Year, including ideas inspired by the zodiac animal of the year.
Lunar New Year 2027 begins on February 6. In the Chinese zodiac the year is the Year of the Goat, also called the Sheep or the Ram. People born in 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015 were born in this sign. Children often receive money in red envelopes, so a small gift they can play with or make can round out the celebration.
Choose for the child, not the zodiac
A zodiac theme is fun, but a gift the child will use is better. Pick something that suits their age and interests, and let the zodiac be a bonus rather than the point.
Our Top Picks
1. A Plush Goat or Sheep
A soft toy in the year's animal is a natural keepsake, and children enjoy learning which animal belongs to which year.
2. A Lunar New Year Picture Book
There are many children's books about the holiday, its food, and its traditions. Choose one that matches the child's age and the family's own tradition.
3. A Paper Lantern Craft Kit
Making a lantern is a hands-on way to take part in the holiday, and the result can be hung up right away.
4. A Paper-Cutting or Origami Set
Paper cuts are a traditional decoration for windows at this time of year. A beginner set gives older children a craft to practice.
5. A Children's Puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle gives a quiet group activity for the long afternoons of visiting and eating.
A note on the zodiac
A person's own zodiac year is traditionally seen as needing extra luck, and many people wear red during that year. If someone in your family was born in a Goat year, a small red gift can be a thoughtful touch. Customs differ between families and regions, so treat this as a starting point and follow your own family's way.
Wishery Verdict
Children already receive red envelopes, so a small gift that is fun to do or read adds something to the day. A craft, a story, or a toy tied to the year's animal makes it feel special.