Free Printable Chinese Zodiac Animals for Preschool and Early Elementary Kids
Inside: Make learning fun with these free printable Chinese Zodiac animals for PreK–3! Get a free coloring book with tracing activities, plus flashcards to explore traits, lucky numbers, and more. Grab your free sample and start teaching with ease!
Who doesn’t love a good story filled with animals, adventure, and a sprinkle of mystery? That’s exactly what the Chinese zodiac brings to life—a tale of 12 animals racing through rivers and across hills to earn their place in an ancient cycle. But the fun doesn’t stop with the story! The Chinese zodiac is such a great way to introduce kids to all kinds of learning—from geography and math to storytelling and art, especially for those in PreK–3.
Through this one theme, you can explore maps and biomes, practice ordinal numbers, and even dive into some basic Chinese characters. It’s a fun, natural way to combine different subjects and keep kids engaged while they learn. And to make things easier, I’ve put together a printable bundle full of activities that bring the story to life. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use it to make learning exciting and meaningful for your little ones!
Pin this image to read the article later. 📌
What Is the Chinese Zodiac? A Fun Way to Teach Culture and More
The Chinese zodiac is a fascinating part of Chinese culture, built around a repeating 12-year cycle, where each year is represented by an animal like the Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Dragon, or Year of the Ox. But did you know it’s not just about China?
The Chinese zodiac is celebrated across many Asian cultures, from Vietnam, where they include the Cat instead of the Rabbit, to Korea and Japan, each adding their own unique traditions to the mix. For kids, we can transform it into much more than a calendar system—it’s an exciting way to explore legends, beliefs, stories, creativity, and learning across different subjects in a way that ties it to real world.
When Marc was little, I quickly realized how much more he absorbed when learning felt like play. From acting out a story or pulling out hands-on activities, he was always more engaged when we tied lessons to something fun and relatable. That’s what I feel the Chinese zodiac offers—endless opportunities to combine learning with fun. Let me show you how!
The Legend of The Great Race – Teaching Through Stories
At the heart of the zodiac is the Great Race, a legendary tale organized by the Jade Emperor to determine the 12 animals that would represent the Chinese calendar. This tale is rich with clever tricks (like the Rat hitching a ride on the Ox), moments of teamwork and perseverance, and a touch of divine intervention as the animals strive to impress the Jade Emperor and earn their place in the calendar.
Marc absolutely loved stories like this—ones filled with adventure and a little bit of mischief. We’d act it out with toy animals, lining them up and practicing ordinal numbers as we talked about who came in first, second, and last. Later, as he grew, he crafted his own Chinese zodiac Wheel to retell the story visually—a project he was so proud of, I couldn’t bring myself to toss it out even years later!
And the learning doesn’t stop there. The zodiac opens the door to geography. When Marc and I explored this, we pulled out maps to talk about where China is located and how the lunar calendar (and the moon phases) influences celebrations like the Spring Festival. We also looked at how other Asian countries honor the zodiac. It was also the perfect opportunity to connect the animals to their biomes: Tigers in forests or Snakes in warm climates. Suddenly, it wasn’t just geography—it was science, too! Do you see where I’m going?
That’s not all!
The zodiac’s animal signs are also a fantastic way to build language arts skills. One year, Marc traced the names of each animal in Chinese characters and their pinyin, which was such a cool way to introduce him to how other languages look and sound. It sparked so many great conversations about symbols, pronunciation, and how different cultures express ideas.
Then, I had him write about his own zodiac sign (he’s a Rabbit!), and we had so much fun exploring how its personality traits matched his. It was a low-pressure way to encourage writing, and it felt so much more engaging than the usual boring worksheets. The Chinese zodiac offers educators a unique chance to personalize learning and introduce more than just the standard subjects.
You can easily turn this into a mini-lesson on personality traits by asking kids to compare their traits with their zodiac animal. It’s a great way to encourage self-reflection and spark discussions about similarities and differences. Plus, the rabbit trails this topic leads to are endless—you could explore everything from storytelling and culture to language and even art!
Teaching through the Chinese zodiac is one of the easiest ways to show kids how different cultures are connected while weaving in math, geography, art, storytelling, and so much more. Kids can do activities like coloring pages, crafting a zodiac animal wheel, or even mapping the animals’ habitats. It’s hands-on, meaningful, and full of moments that make learning stick.
So, don’t just think of the Chinese zodiac as a fun story or something to teach only if it’s part of your own culture—it’s an amazing way to explore different cultures, expose kids to new ideas and beliefs, and bring a splash of color and creativity to subjects that might otherwise feel dull. For us, lessons like these always felt like a win-win-win—fun for Marc, meaningful for his learning, and a joy for me to teach. I’m sure it will be the same for you, too!
Free Printable Chinese Zodiac Animals: Ready-to-Use Activities for Busy Educators
I know how overwhelming it can feel to come up with creative activities when you’re juggling the demands of teaching or homeschooling. Planning engaging activities for your kids or students can feel like a lot that’s why I’ve created a Chinese Zodiac Animals printable collection for PreK-3 —to make teaching easier while sparking curiosity and excitement in kids.
Inspired by the activities I used with Marc, these printables are packed with hands-on fun, cultural discovery, and opportunities for meaningful learning.
1. Chinese Zodiac Animals Unit Study (PreK–3)
Designed for ages 3–8, this 67-page Chinese Zodiac Animals Unit Study is a complete resource covering ELA, geography, math, and art.
Here’s what’s included:
- The Great Race Reader (20 pages):
Kids will love tracing, coloring, cutting, and assembling their own storybook of the Great Race legend. It’s an interactive way to build sequencing skills, improve reading comprehension, and encourage creativity. - Informational pages:
Read this aloud to kids to find out more about where the Chinese zodiac is observed and details about the legend of the Great Race. - Geography Meets Culture:
Activities include coloring maps of Asia, tracing China’s rivers, and exploring biomes. Kids will match the zodiac animals to their natural habitats, blending geography, science, and culture. - Hands-On Math Activities:
From counting animals to tracing ordinal numbers and spinning wheels to find their zodiac animal, these activities make math feel like play. They’re perfect for introducing foundational concepts in a fun, engaging way. - Creative Reflection:
With the “My Zodiac Animal” activity page, kids can draw their animal, write their birth year, and reflect on its traits. It’s a thoughtful way to encourage writing and self-expression. - 7-Day Lesson Plan:
A flexible, easy-to-follow plan guides you through the activities day by day. It’s designed to keep everything organized while leaving room for creativity and exploration.
2. Chinese Zodiac Coloring Books Pack (4 Books)
This Chinese Zodiac Animals Coloring Pages bundle is perfect for PreK–4 and combines four coloring books, focusing on different fine motor skills into one engaging collection. You can print them as separate coloring books focusing on one skill or combine pages from more sets for variety.
What’s inside?
- Adorable Coloring Pages for each of the 12 zodiac animals. Kids can bring the animals to life with their favorite colors.
- Tracing Practice in Print and Cursive: Includes tracing the the zodiac animals.
- Chinese Characters with QR Pronunciation Guide: Kids can color the English names of each animal, learn the Chinese names, and scan the QR code to hear how they’re pronounced.
- Finish the Drawing: Half of each animal is drawn, and kids can trace the other half to complete the picture, as well as tracing the chinese characters and the english names, boosting fine motor skills and creativity.
You can print only the pages you need or assemble the entire bundle into a book—the choice is yours!
3. Chinese Zodiac Animals Flashcards (K–5)
These flashcards are perfect for introducing kids to Chinese culture, language, and storytelling while keeping the activities hands-on and fun.
What’s included:
- 12 Full-Color Flashcards: Each card features a cute illustration of a Zodiac animal, along with:
- Key traits and characteristics.
- Lucky colors, numbers, and their respective years.
- The animal’s name in Chinese characters and pinyin for language learning.
- 12 Black-and-White Flashcards: These are perfect for coloring activities, adding a creative twist that kids love.
- QR Pronunciation Guide: Each flashcard includes a QR code to help kids hear the correct pronunciation of the Chinese names—a great way to build confidence and language skills.
Bundle Up and Save!
This 140-page bundle is the ultimate resource for teaching the Chinese zodiac animals to kids in PreK–3. It includes all three printables—flashcards, coloring books, and the full unit study—so you have everything you need to make lessons engaging and meaningful.
What’s inside the bundle:
- Flashcards (K–5):
- Color and black-and-white options with traits, lucky colors, numbers, and Chinese characters.
- Includes QR codes for pronunciation practice.
- Coloring Books (PreK–4):
- Four books with coloring pages, tracing in print and cursive, and creative activities like “trace half the image.”
- Unit Study (PreK–3):
- The Great Race Reader: Trace, color, and assemble the Zodiac story into a booklet.
- Geography & Math Activities: Explore maps, habitats, and ordinal numbers.
- 7-Day Lesson Plan for an organized, stress-free teaching week.
Freebies and What’s Inside the Free Pack:
- Twelve complete Chinese zodiac coloring pages featuring one zodiac animal, with its English and Chinese name, pinyin, and a QR code to hear the pronunciation.
- A sample page of the Great Race reader, introducing the fascinating story behind the Chinese zodiac.
- An ordinal numeral activity page to help kids learn sequencing in a fun way.
- Two flashcards that showcase the traits, years, and lucky colors of the zodiac animals.
- A tracing page for early writing practice.
- A sneak peek of the reader, where kids can trace, color, and assemble part of the story.
By signing up, you’ll:
- Get this free printable pack right to your inbox.
- Stay updated on my latest printables, freebies, and unit studies.
It’s my way of making teaching and learning a little easier and more fun! Subscribe now and let the magic of the Chinese zodiac inspire your next lesson.
Make Learning Fun with Books and Videos
Let’s be real—kids love stories and visuals, and what better way to teach them about the Chinese zodiac and New Year than with some seriously fun books and videos? These picks are perfect for PreK-5 learners and are packed with legends, vibrant illustrations, and real-life celebrations. Whether you’re diving into the Great Race or exploring Chinese New Year traditions, these resources make learning effortless and exciting (for you and them).
Children’s Books About the Chinese Zodiac
“The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” by Dawn Casey
The classic tale of how the zodiac animals earned their spots, told in a way that’s both engaging and easy for kids to follow.
Ruby’s Chinese New Year” by Vickie Lee
A sweet story where Ruby meets the zodiac animals during her New Year journey. It’s heartwarming, cultural, and fun!
“My First Chinese New Year” by Karen Katz
Perfect for the littlest learners. Bright, simple, and great for introducing Chinese New Year traditions.
“Bringing in the New Year” by Grace Lin
This book captures all the excitement of preparing for Chinese New Year with beautiful illustrations and a focus on family.
“Zodiac Animals” by Sanmu Tang
A kid-friendly dive into each zodiac animal’s traits and personality. Think of it as a playful intro to Chinese mythology.
This bilingual book introduces readers to the legendary zodiac story, combining captivating illustrations with both Chinese and English text to enhance cultural and language learning.
Crafts and Decorations
Add a hands-on element to your Chinese New Year activities with this engaging craft kit!
Chinese New Year Paper Dragon Decoration – This DIY kit provides everything you need to create 8 vibrant dragon puppet ornaments. It’s a fun and creative way for kids to explore the symbolism of dragons in Chinese culture while developing their artistic skills.
Videos That Make It Click
- “The myth behind the Chinese zodiac “ by TED-Ed (YouTube)
- A short animated video that explains the Great Race in a fun and clever way. Perfect for curious minds.
- “Lunar New Year for Kids” by Scholastic (YouTube)
- A quick, educational video introducing Chinese New Year traditions. Bonus: It’s short enough to keep their attention.
- “Happy Chinese New Year!” Clip | Ni Hao, Kai-Lan” by Nicktoons (YouTube)
- Kids will love this episode of Ni Hao, Kai-Lan. It’s playful, colorful, and gets them learning without even realizing it.
- “Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) | Zodiac Story” by CBeebies (YouTube)
- A beautifully animated retelling of the legendary race that determined the order of the zodiac animals, perfect for kids and adults alike.
Wrapping Up
Teaching through the Chinese zodiac has been one of the most fun and rewarding ways I’ve introduced culture, creativity, and a bit of sneaky learning into our homeschool days. There’s just so much you can do with it! From acting out the Great Race to diving into hands-on projects, it’s a total win for keeping kids engaged while they learn.
The best part? It’s all connected. Geography, math, language arts, art—you name it, and this theme ties it all together. And let’s not forget the crafts!
I hope this guide gives you plenty of inspiration to bring the Chinese zodiac into your homeschool or classroom. Whether you’re printing out activities, curling up with a good story, or pulling out the craft supplies, just know you’re giving your kids an experience that’s fun, meaningful, and memorable.
So, grab your tea (or coffee), print a few pages, and dive in. You’ve got this! And hey, if you end up with a kid who knows their zodiac traits better than yours, just roll with it—it’s all part of the fun. ❤️
This post may contain affiliate links. By making a purchase through these links, I get a small percentage for the item you bought while the price stays the same for you. Thank you for supporting me.
Read my Disclosure to find out more about how I support my website and how you can help.
