Make this cute craft for your Dragon Boat Festival lesson.

Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that takes place in May or June. It celebrates the famous Chinese poet, Qu Yuan, but it’s origins can be traced even further back. Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated with dragon boat races in China and across the world. 

Materials:

• Acrylic paint
• Small drink/milk carton
• Pipe cleaners
• Tape 
• Scissors
• A bucket with water

Step 1: Clean your carton

Make sure your drink carton is empty and clean before starting.

Step 2: Fold the carton

Fold the “mouth” of the carton up to form the front of the boat. Tape it down so it won’t open. 

Step 3: Cut open the top of the boat

Use scissors to cut open the “top” of the milk carton to form the top of the boat.

Step 4: Draw the dragon

Draw the dragon on the drink carton. You can look up images of real world dragon boats for inspiration.

Step 5: Paint the dragon

Paint over your drawing with acrylic paint.

Step 6: Paint the “background”

You can paint any areas of the carton which aren’t covered by the dragon with blue to blend into the water.

Step 7: Let it dry and make the paddles

While the paint dries, use pipe cleaners to form little paddles. Make 2-3 paddles for each side. 

Step 8: Cut spaces for the paddles

Cut little slits in the top of the boat for the paddles. Place the paddles in the spaces.

Step 9: Float your boat!

Fill a bucket up with water.

Put your boats in the water and let them float.

Step 10: Add figurines

You can even put little passengers on the boats using toys or handmade stick figures.

We hope you enjoyed our dragon boat craft! If you want more lessons for traditional Chinese holidays try 1-Hour Chinese New Year Lesson for Kids.