14 Chinese New Year Games for Family Fun

Chinese New Year parties can feel awkward when everyone sits around eating.

Kids get bored. Adults run out of things to talk about. The room goes quiet except for the TV playing in the background. Games change everything.

Suddenly, grandma is laughing while trying to pass an orange with her chin. Your shy cousin is acting out a dragon. Even teenagers put down their phones to join the fun.

The best part? You don’t need expensive equipment or complicated instructions.

This guide shows you games that actually work for real families. You’ll learn which games fit different group sizes, how to set them up fast, and ways to keep everyone.

What Makes a Good Chinese New Year Game?

A good Chinese New Year game keeps things simple. The rules should be easy for kids and grandparents to follow. You don’t need fancy equipment or hours of setup.

Most games use items you already have at home. The best games focus on luck, laughter, and bringing people together. They work in small apartments or large party halls.

When everyone can join in without feeling confused or left out, that’s when the real fun starts. Good games create moments families remember long after the celebration ends.

Fun Chinese New Year Games to Play

Ready to fill your celebration with laughter? Here are 14 games that work for any group size, age range, and space.

1. Lucky Red Envelope Hunt

This game brings excitement to any New Year’s party. Hide red envelopes filled with treats, coins, or funny challenges around your space. Kids and adults both love the thrill of the hunt. It’s like an Easter egg hunt with a festive twist.

How to Play:

• Fill 10 to 20 red envelopes with small prizes, candy, or fortune messages
• Hide them around your home before guests arrive
• Set clear boundaries so everyone knows where to search
• Let players collect as many as they can find
• Open envelopes together and share the surprises inside

2. Chinese Zodiac Matching Game

Test everyone’s knowledge of the 12 zodiac animals. This game teaches kids about Chinese culture while keeping things fun. Players match animals to personality traits or birth years. It works great as an icebreaker for mixed age groups.

How to Play:

• Print or draw cards with zodiac animals on one set
• Create matching cards with years or personality traits on another set
• Spread all the cards face down on a table
• Players take turns flipping two cards to find matches
• The person with the most matches wins a small prize

3. Lantern Riddle Challenge

Riddles have been part of the Chinese New Year for centuries. Hang paper lanterns around the room with riddles written on them. This game gets people thinking and laughing. It adds a traditional touch to your celebration.

How to Play:

• Write riddles on small paper strips and attach them to lanterns
• Hang lanterns at different heights around the room
• Give each player a pen and paper to write answers
• Set a time limit of 15 to 20 minutes
• Award points for each correct answer

4. Chopstick Pick-Up Race

Speed meets skill in this fast-paced challenge. Players use chopsticks to move beans, candies, or cotton balls between bowls. It’s more complicated than it sounds. Even chopstick experts will feel the pressure when racing against time.

How to Play:

• Set up two bowls for each player, one empty and one filled with small items
• Give everyone a pair of chopsticks
• On “go,” players transfer items from one bowl to the other
• Set a timer for one minute
• The person who moves the most items wins

5. Pass the Orange for Good Luck

Oranges symbolize good fortune in Chinese culture. This game brings lots of giggles as teams work together. The challenge is passing an orange without using your hands. It’s silly, fun, and perfect for breaking the ice.

How to Play:

• Divide players into teams of 5 to 8 people
• Give each team an orange or a mandarin
• Players line up and tuck the orange under their chin
• Pass the orange down the line without using your hands
• If it drops, start over from the beginning
• The first team to pass it all the way wins

6. Fortune Phrase Charades

Act out popular New Year greetings and symbols. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” or “Year of the Dragon” becomes hilarious when you can’t speak. This game works for any group size. It gets everyone moving and laughing together.

How to Play:

• Write Chinese New Year phrases or symbols on paper slips
• Fold them and put them in a bowl
• Players take turns drawing a slip and acting it out
• No talking or sounds allowed
• Team members guess within 60 seconds
• Award points for correct guesses

7. Lucky Coin Toss

Simple games often bring the most joy. Toss coins into bowls or cups placed at different distances. Closer targets are worth fewer points. Landing a coin in the farthest bowl brings cheers from everyone watching.

How to Play:

• Line up 3 to 5 bowls at increasing distances
• Label each bowl with point values (1, 3, 5, 10, etc.)
• Give each player 5 coins
• Players stand behind a line and toss coins
• Add up points based on where coins land
• Highest score wins

8. Zodiac Animal Action Game

Everyone gets to act like animals in this lively game. Hop like a rabbit, slither like a snake, or gallop like a horse. Kids especially love this one. It’s active, silly, and great for burning off energy.

How to Play:

• Write all 12 zodiac animals on separate cards
• One player draws a card and acts out the animal
• No sounds or words allowed
• Other players shout out guesses
• First person to guess correctly gets a point
• Play until everyone has had a turn

9. New Year Bingo

Bingo gets a festive makeover with New Year symbols. Replace numbers with lanterns, dragons, firecrackers, and gold coins. This game calms things down after active games. It works perfectly for all ages playing together.

How to Play:

• Create bingo cards with Chinese New Year symbols instead of numbers
• Give each player a card and markers or coins
• Draw symbol cards from a bag and call them out
• Players mark matching symbols on their cards
• First to complete a line shouts “Bingo!”
• Play multiple rounds with different winners

10. Dragon Tail Tag (Indoor-Friendly Version)

This gentle version of tag works indoors without breaking things. Players form a “dragon” by holding shoulders or waists. The dragon’s head tries to catch its own tail. Laughter fills the room as the dragon twists and turns.

How to Play:

• Line up 5 to 10 players holding the waist of the person in front
• Tie a ribbon or scarf to the last person’s waist as the “tail.”
• The person at the front tries to grab the tail
• The dragon stays connected at all times
• If the tail gets caught, rotate positions
• Play for 3 to 5 rounds

11. Color the Lantern Contest

Give kids a creative outlet during the party. Hand out paper lantern templates and coloring supplies. They can work quietly while adults chat. Display all lanterns together and vote for favorites in different categories.

How to Play:

• Print lantern templates or draw simple outlines
• Provide crayons, markers, stickers, and glitter
• Set a time limit of 20 to 30 minutes
• Let kids color and decorate freely
• Display finished lanterns on a wall or table
• Vote for categories like “most colorful” or “funniest design.”

12. Fortune Wheel Spin

Spin the wheel and see what fate brings you. Each section holds a different surprise. Some spaces give prizes, others give silly challenges. The anticipation builds as the wheel slows down. Everyone watches to see where it stops.

How to Play:

• Draw a circle on cardboard and divide it into 8 to 12 sections
• Write fortunes, challenges, or prizes in each section
• Attach an arrow or pointer to the center
• Players take turns spinning the wheel
• They must complete whatever the arrow lands on
• Keep prizes small and challenges fun

13. Lucky Number Dice Game

The numbers 8 and 9 are considered lucky in Chinese culture. Roll the dice to land on these special numbers. Different combinations earn different rewards. This quick game fills short breaks between other activities.

How to Play:

• Give each player two dice
• Assign point values to lucky numbers (8s and 9s are worth the most)
• Players take turns rolling both dice
• Add up the numbers shown
• Landing on 8, 9, 16, or 18 earns bonus points
• Play 5 rounds and total the scores

14. Chinese New Year Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge of traditions, food, and history. This game teaches while entertaining. Mix easy questions for kids with harder ones for adults. Teams can work together to figure out tricky answers.

How to Play:

• Prepare 15 to 20 questions about the Chinese New Year
• Include topics like zodiac animals, foods, colors, and customs
• Divide players into teams of 3 to 5 people
• Read questions one at a time
• Teams write down their answers
• Award points for correct responses and crown a winning team

How to Set Up a Chinese New Year Game Night?

A little planning goes a long way. Follow these five steps to create a game night that runs smoothly from start to finish.

Step 1: Count Your Guests: Figure out how many people will join before picking games. Small groups of 5 to 10 work well with 4 to 5 games, while larger parties need 6 to 7 options.

Step 2: Mix Energy Levels: Alternate between active games like Chopstick Race and calm games like Bingo. This balance prevents kids from getting too wild and gives older guests time to rest.

Step 3: Gather Small Prizes: Stock up on candy, red envelopes with coins, or small toys from the dollar store. Having 20 to 30 prizes ready keeps excitement high without breaking your budget.

Step 4: Prepare Materials in Advance: Print bingo cards, fill red envelopes, and set up game stations before guests arrive. You’ll enjoy the party more when you’re not scrambling to find supplies.

Step 5: Create a Simple Schedule: Write down which games you’ll play and in what order. Leave 15 to 20 minutes per game and add buffer time for snacks or bathroom breaks between activities.

Summing It Up

Chinese New Year games turn good celebrations into great memories.

You don’t need a vast budget or hours of planning. Just pick a few games from this list, grab some household items, and watch your party come alive.

The laughter, the friendly competition, and the shared moments matter more than perfect decorations or fancy food.

Start simple this year. Choose three games that match your group size. Set up stations before guests arrive. Keep small prizes handy. Your family will remember the fun long after the last dumpling is eaten.

Which game will you try first? Share your favorite in the comments below, or tell us about games your family already plays during New Year celebrations!