Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate family, fun, and food! It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your little one to some simple, tasty recipes. Here are five easy and fun Chinese New Year recipes that you can make together at home. Let’s get cooking!
- Mini Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a yummy and crispy treat that children love to munch on.
What you’ll need:
- Spring roll wrappers
- Shredded carrots and cucumber
- Cooked chicken or tofu
How to make it:
Let your child help you fill the wrappers with veggies and meat (or tofu).
Roll them up tightly and pop them in the oven to bake until crispy.
Your little ones will enjoy rolling up their spring rolls and seeing them crisp up in the oven!
- Dumplings
Dumplings are small and tasty and are easy for little hands to help with.
What you’ll need:
- Dumpling wrappers
- Minced chicken or pork
- Chopped veggies like cabbage and carrots
How to make it:
Let your little one place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the wrapper.
Fold the wrapper over and pinch the sides to make little pockets.
Steam or cook them until golden brown.
Children can fold the dumplings and get creative with the shapes. It’s like making little edible surprises!
- Sweet Sesame Balls
These sweet balls are chewy and yummy, with a crispy outside and soft inside.
What you’ll need:
- Glutinous rice flour
- Sesame seeds
- Sugar
- Water
How to make it:
Mix the ingredients together to make a dough.
Roll the dough into little balls and coat them in sesame seeds.
Fry them until golden and crunchy.
Rolling the dough and coating it in sesame seeds is a fun, sensory activity for little hands.
- Noodles for Long Life
Noodles represent a long life and good luck! It’s easy to make and perfect for little ones to enjoy.
What you’ll need:
- Long noodles (like spaghetti)
- Soy sauce
- Chopped veggies (like carrots and spinach)
How to make it:
Cook the noodles and mix them with a little soy sauce.
Stir in the veggies for extra colour and flavour.
Children love slurping up noodles, and they’ll have fun mixing in the veggies too!
- Fruit Platter
A colourful fruit platter is a simple, healthy way to celebrate.
What you’ll need:
- Sliced mandarin oranges
- Grapes
- Apples
How to make it:
Let your child arrange the fruit on a plate in fun patterns.
Add a little decoration like a paper lantern to make it festive!
This is a great way for little ones to practice arranging food and create their own tasty art!
Cooking these simple dishes with your child is a wonderful way to bond and celebrate Chinese New Year together. You’ll also be teaching them about new foods, cultures, and traditions—all while having fun in the kitchen!
Happy Chinese New Year from Mt Coolum Early Learning! May your year be filled with love, laughter, and lots of delicious food!
