12 Free Chinese New Year Bookmark Printables
Chinese New Year bookmarks are one of those easy, creative printables that work well when you want something meaningful without adding extra prep.
Kids enjoy choosing their zodiac animal and coloring it in, and it naturally opens the door to simple conversations about the Lunar New Year and the traits connected to each sign.
This set includes all 12 zodiac animals with space for coloring and short, kid-friendly quotes.
They’re quick to print, adaptable for different ages, and useful for calm morning work, a small-group activity, or a festive add-on to a holiday lesson. They also make a nice little keepsake once laminated or used in a classroom display.
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Chinese Zodiac-Themed Bookmarks
This set includes 12 bookmarks, each featuring a zodiac animal and a short, kid-friendly quote inspired by the traits associated with that sign.
The phrases are simple enough for young readers, but still meaningful, and the black-and-white outlines make them easy for kids to personalize with their own coloring style.
Quotes included in the set:
- Rat: “Scurry into a year of success!”
Celebrate the clever and resourceful nature of the Rat with this inspiring phrase. - Ox: “Hard work leads to great rewards this year!”
This quote highlights the Ox’s dedication and perseverance, perfect for setting goals. - Tiger: “Pounce into the New Year with confidence!”
Bold and fearless, the Tiger encourages you to face challenges with courage. - Rabbit: “Gentle and swift, it’s the Rabbit’s year to thrive!”
This quote embodies the Rabbit’s calm and thoughtful demeanor, offering a message of growth. - Dragon: “Be bold and bright, like the Dragon’s fire!”
A fiery and powerful message that reflects the Dragon’s strength and charisma. - Snake: “Slither into a year of good fortune!”
This phrase captures the Snake’s wisdom and charm, encouraging a lucky year ahead. - Horse: “Strong and free, it’s the Horse’s time to shine!”
The Horse’s independent and spirited energy inspires this uplifting quote. - Goat: “Be calm and artistic, like the kind Goat!”
Celebrate the Goat’s gentle creativity with this soothing and encouraging message. - Monkey: “Swing into a year full of fun and discovery!”
Energetic and curious, the Monkey inspires adventure and playfulness. - Rooster: “Crow into the New Year with pride and purpose!”
The Rooster’s confident and determined nature shines in this motivational phrase. - Dog: “Bark up a year of joy and friendship!”
Loyal and friendly, the Dog encourages meaningful connections and happiness. - Pig: “Snout out the joys of life this New Year!”
Cheerful and generous, the Pig reminds us to embrace life’s simple pleasures.
How to Use These Bookmarks
Print the bookmarks on regular paper or cardstock and let kids choose the zodiac animal they want to color. The designs are sized at 8.5 × 2.5 inches, leaving enough space for coloring while still working well as everyday reading bookmarks.
These work well for:
- Quick craft sessions, either at home or in the classroom
- Lunar New Year lessons, especially when introducing the zodiac cycle
- Personalized keepsakes, once laminated or hole-punched with a ribbon
- Class displays, such as a bulletin-board garland featuring all twelve animals
- Party favors, bundled with crayons or markers for a simple, themed activity
If you’re using them in a classroom, assigning each child their zodiac animal based on birth year adds a fun, personal element. It also gives you an easy way to introduce the traits connected to each sign and how they’re used in many Lunar New Year traditions.
Educational Benefits
These printable bookmarks are simple, but they support learning in a few helpful ways.
Coloring gives kids a calm, focused task that builds fine motor control, and the zodiac themes introduce them to the animals and symbolism used during the Lunar New Year.
Because the bookmarks tie directly into reading, they also work as a small motivator for children who enjoy having something they made tucked into a favorite book.
And whether you’re using them in a classroom or at home, the shared craft time often leads to easy conversations and a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere.
Books to Pair With Your Lunar New Year Bookmarks
A few picture books work especially well alongside these bookmarks, either to introduce the zodiac animals or to give kids more context for the holiday.
Ruby’s Chinese New Year – A gentle story that follows Ruby as she meets each zodiac animal on her way to visit her grandmother. The familiar characters make it an easy companion to the bookmark set, especially if kids want to color the animals as they appear in the story.
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac – This retelling of the zodiac legend explains how the twelve animals earned their place in the cycle. Reading it first gives kids a better understanding of why each animal is included, and adds meaning to whichever bookmark they choose to color.
Dim Sum for Everyone! – A simple, engaging look at the tradition of sharing dim sum. It’s not zodiac-focused, but it helps introduce cultural elements often celebrated during Lunar New Year and rounds out the activity with a bit more context.
These titles add depth to the craft, giving kids stories and traditions to connect with as they personalize their bookmarks.
More Printable Activities for the New Year
If you want a few more low-prep options to round out your Chinese New Year plans, these printables fit well alongside the bookmarks and work for a range of ages:
Chinese New Year color by number – A fun, calm activity that combines simple math with festive designs. Great for early finishers or a quick transition task.
Chinese New Year word search – A vocabulary-focused puzzle featuring terms like lantern, fireworks, and zodiac. It’s easy to print, easy to check, and useful for building familiarity with holiday words.
Chinese Zodiac Coloring Pages – Each animal in the zodiac gets its own page, giving kids a deeper look at the signs and a relaxed coloring activity to go with your bookmark set.
Chinese New Year Matching Pairs Game – A memory-style game featuring holiday symbols and zodiac animals. It’s a simple way to reinforce what kids are learning while keeping the activity playful.
All of these printables work well for family time, classroom stations, or small Lunar New Year celebrations.
Get Your Free Chinese New Year Coloring Bookmarks Here!
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Last Updated on 24 October 2025 by Clare Brown
