The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that aligns with the summer solstice. It’s celebrated with dragon boat races, zongzi (a type of sticky rice dumpling), and various customs that hold deep cultural significance. More and more Americans are discovering the excitement and richness of this vibrant festival through local events and cross-cultural celebrations. Crafting can be a fun and educational way for both kids and adults to experience and understand the history behind this unique holiday.
In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of Dragon Boat Festival craft ideas—all perfect for classrooms, family fun, and community events. These crafts are designed to encourage cultural appreciation and spark creativity, and they’re easy to adapt for different age groups.
A Quick Insight into the Dragon Boat Festival
There are many fun crafts that can help teach children the story of the Dragon Boat Festival. Held on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the patriotic Chinese poet and minister, Qu Yuan. After being exiled for opposing corruption, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River. In an attempt to save him, the local people paddled out in boats and threw rice dumplings into the river to distract the fish and evil spirits.
Today, the festival is observed with:
- Dragon boat races
- Snacking on zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)
- Hanging aromatic herbs
- Wearing scented sachets for protection
These customs represent the heart of the festival—and inspire a world of craft possibilities.
1. DIY Mini Dragon Boats
Materials:
- Empty egg cartons
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Construction paper
- Popsicle sticks or skewers
- Glue or hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Markers
Instructions:
- Cut egg cartons in half lengthwise to form the boat’s base.
- Paint the cartons in bright reds, golds, greens, and blues—traditional festival colors.
- Create dragon heads and tails from construction paper and attach them to the front and back.
- Insert popsicle sticks as masts, and decorate paper “sails” or flags with Chinese characters.
- Allow the boats to dry before displaying or using them for imaginative play.
Educational Value:
This activity introduces children to the tradition of dragon boat racing and the story of Qu Yuan. It’s an excellent classroom project, especially during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
2. Zongzi Paper Craft (Sticky Rice Dumpling Decoration)
Materials:
- Green origami or construction paper
- Cotton balls or tissue paper (for “filling”)
- String or ribbon
- Tape or glue
Instructions:
- Cut green paper into diamond shapes and curl into a cone.
- Stuff cotton balls or tissue paper inside.
- Fold the top closed, mimicking the shape of a zongzi.
- Wrap with string to give it a hand-wrapped appearance.
Display Ideas:
Thread these paper zongzi onto branches or hang them as garlands. This simple, low-mess craft is great for preschool and elementary-aged children.
3. Dragon Masks and Headbands
Materials:
- Printable dragon mask templates or plain paper
- Markers, crayons, or paint
- Decorative materials: feathers, sequins, glitter
- Scissors and glue
- Elastic bands or headbands
Instructions:
- Trace or draw a dragon face onto paper.
- Let kids decorate with vibrant colors and textures.
- Attach to an elastic band or glue onto a headband.
Use in Events:
Perfect for parades, school activities, and multicultural events. Children can wear them while learning about Chinese folklore.
4. Origami Dragon Boats
Materials:
- Colored origami or square copy paper
- Markers for decoration
- Printable instructions (optional)
Instructions:
- Follow simple origami steps to fold a paper boat.
- Decorate with markers or colored pencils.
- Optional: add paper dragon heads and tails for flair.
Educational Value:
This craft builds fine motor skills, patience, and concentration. Teachers can use it in geography or history lessons about China and the Dragon Boat Festival.
5. Five-Color Bracelet Craft
A traditional festival custom is wearing five-colored silk thread bracelets to ward off evil and invite peace and good fortune.
Materials:
- Five skeins of embroidery floss or yarn (red, yellow, blue, green, white)
- Scissors
- Beads (optional)
Instructions:
- Cut strands of each color to about 12 inches.
- Tie one end together and braid.
- Tie a knot at the other end, adding beads if desired.
- Wear as a bracelet or anklet.
Cultural Lesson:
Teach children what each color represents and the bracelet’s protective symbolism.
6. Herbal Sachets and Aromatic Fillers
Materials:
- Small fabric squares or mesh bags
- Dried herbs (mugwort, lavender, rosemary)
- Ribbon or string
- Needle and thread (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill fabric or mesh pouches with herbs.
- Tie closed with ribbon or sew shut.
- Decorate with fabric markers or stickers.
Why It Matters:
In traditional Chinese medicine, these sachets are believed to ward off illness and insects. This is a fun and fragrant craft for older kids or family craft time.
7. Dragon Boat Festival Coloring Pages
Crafts don’t always require scissors and glue. Coloring pages offer a quiet, screen-free activity that still teaches cultural values.
Where to Find Them:
- Educational websites
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Library activity kits
Themes to Include:
- Dragon boats
- Qu Yuan
- Zongzi
- Festival scenes with traditional dress
Great for younger kids or inclusion in school or community center packets.
8. Hosting a Dragon Boat Festival Craft Day in the U.S.
If you’re planning a cultural festival, school event, or community celebration, consider organizing a Dragon Boat Festival Craft Day. Here’s how to get started:
Tips:
- Set up craft stations by age and skill level.
- Post signage explaining each craft’s cultural significance.
- Invite local Asian American organizations or storytellers to provide background.
- Offer traditional snacks like zongzi or Chinese tea.
Crafting not only fosters cultural sharing—it also strengthens community bonds.
Why These Crafts Matter in the U.S.
In a diverse country like the U.S., celebrating global festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival through crafts helps build empathy, cultural understanding, and inclusion. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or event planner, hands-on activities offer a meaningful way to connect with tradition and spark curiosity.
With dragon boat races growing in popularity in cities like Boston, Orlando, and San Francisco, there’s a rising interest in the cultural roots behind the sport. Crafting offers families a creative doorway into that heritage—connecting them to the symbols, stories, and spirit behind the paddles, the drums, and the dragons.
Creating for the Dragon Boat Festival is about much more than making crafts—it’s a chance to connect with history, culture, and values from across the globe. Whether you’re building a toy boat, braiding a friendship bracelet, or assembling a scented sachet, these activities transform learning into joyful, meaningful play.
So gather your glue sticks, paper, and imagination—and celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with creativity and heart.
