Kids Corner: February!

Kayli Liebenberg
5 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Play・Think・Create in Discovery Bay!

Jar filled with pink and red notes labeled "Love Notes," adorned with a red bow. Colorful cartoon figures and hearts surround the jar.

BRAIN BOOSTER!

CHINESE NEW YEAR FUN FACTS!

Chinese New Year is one of the most exciting festivals in Hong Kong, and this year it starts on February 17! Learn how to say Gong Hey Fat Choy (pronounced Gong-hee-faat-choy) – Happy New Year in Cantonese.

🪭 RED PLUS GOLD EQUALS LUCK

Red and gold decorations are used to bring happiness and good fortune.

🐉 DRAGONS BRING STRENGTH

Dragon dances are performed to scare away bad luck and welcome a happy new year.

🧧 RED PACKETS SHARE BLESSINGS

Adults give kids (and people who help them) red packets (lai see) containing a HK$20 note.

🥟 DUMPLINGS LOOK LIKE TREASURE

Because of their shape, eating dumplings is a way to wish for wealth and good fortune.

🏮 LANTERNS SHOW THE WAY

Brightly lit lanterns stand for hope, happiness and good luck.

🐎 2O26 YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE

Each year is named after an animal in the Chinese Zodiac, like the Horse, Goat or Monkey.

Red rearing horse beside bold text "This Month's Challenge!" on white background, conveying a dynamic and motivational vibe.

Draw a CNY Fire Horse!

🖍️ Use paints, crayons, pencils, or anything you like. Any size, any style – just have fun!

🔥 The CNY Fire Horse loves red, so don’t be shy with bright, fiery colours!

📬 Ask a grown-up to email your artwork to rachel@arounddb.com. You might see it in the next issue!

Cover of "The Tale of a Dark Horse" features a dynamic black horse in the sky, with clouds and a desert building below. Playful mood.

You can discover more about CNY by picking up Hong Kong author Sarah Brennan’s Chinese zodiac series of children’s books. The one to read this year is The Tale Of A Dark Horse: it’s 135BC and Emperor Han Wudi is desperate for a horse... but not just any horse. The horse he wants is tall, dark, handsome, and as free as a gipsy. Will Wudi get his wish? sarahbrennanblog.com

A jar filled with pink and red love notes, adorned with a red ribbon. Three heart-shaped notes saying "You're awesome!", "Hug me!", and "I love you!" are scattered on a wooden surface.

MAKE IT!

HEART MESSAGE JAR FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

A sweet surprise filled with kind words for someone you love

🚩 YOU'LL NEED

An empty jar or small container
Coloured paper (pink, red, white)
Scissors
Pen or marker
Stickers or washi tape
Optional: ribbon or glitter

✂️ HOW TO MAKE IT

Cut your paper into small heart shapes
Write kind messages on each heart (You make me
smile, I love you, You’re the best!)
Fold the hearts and place them inside the jar
Decorate the outside with stickers or ribbon
Give it to someone special on Valentine’s Day