Free Chinese Zodiac Coloring Pages for Kids
These Chinese zodiac coloring pages are a fun way for kids to explore the traditions of the Chinese New Year.
With animals like the Snake, Horse, Goat, and Monkey included, the set gives children a chance to see all twelve zodiac signs in one place.
They work well for quiet coloring at home or as part of a classroom lesson, and they make it easy to connect art with learning about the zodiac.
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Chinese Zodiac Animals Coloring Pages
Inside the free coloring pages you’ll find 13 pages: a bright cover to introduce the zodiac, plus one page for each of the twelve animals.
On every page, kids will find a large illustration of the animal, its name, and the years it represents (1913–2033).
That makes it easy for children to spot their own zodiac sign, and it’s just as fun to check which animals match siblings, parents, or even grandparents.
Tips for Teachers
In the classroom, these coloring pages work well as more than just a quiet art project. I’ve found they naturally get kids curious about Chinese New Year, and they open the door to lessons in reading, writing, art, or even math.
Read first, color after – Share The Great Race with the class, then let students color each animal as it comes up in the story. It helps them follow along and remember the order.
Find your animal – Have students look up their zodiac sign on the pages. In most classes, many kids will share the same animal since they’re born around the same year, but that actually makes for a good group activity. Students can compare traits, see how they line up with the story of the race, and then check how their parents’ or grandparents’ signs differ.
Writing connection – After coloring, have students write a few lines about their animal, its traits, how it placed in the race, or whether it reminds them of themselves.
Make it a display – Hang the finished sheets on a bulletin board to create a colorful zodiac wall that brightens the classroom.
Cross-curricular tie-ins – Use the animals for quick math activities (graphing favorite animals) or in art (adding patterns and designs).
The Story of the Great Race
The Great Race is always a hit with kids. Each animal has its own way of reaching the finish line, and they usually have strong opinions about which one is the funniest.
- Rat – Clever and sneaky, it rode on the Ox’s back and leapt ahead at the last second to take first place.
- Ox – Steady and reliable, it carried the Rat across the river and earned second.
- Tiger – Strong and determined, it swam against the current and finished third.
- Rabbit – Quick and daring, it hopped from stone to stone and placed fourth, with a little help from the Dragon.
- Dragon – Even though it could have flown to the front, it stopped to help others and came in fifth.
- Snake – Silent and sly, it startled the Horse and slid into sixth place.
- Horse – Shaken for a moment but still determined, it crossed the line seventh.
- Sheep – Gentle and cooperative, it teamed up with the Monkey and Rooster, landing in eighth.
- Monkey – Resourceful and clever, it worked with its friends and placed ninth.
- Rooster – Brave and practical, it helped the group across and finished tenth.
- Dog – Distracted by a refreshing swim, it came in eleventh.
- Pig – After pausing for a snack and nap, it finally crossed in twelfth.
Reading this story while coloring makes the activity more memorable, kids can match each animal to its role in the race as they go.
Books About the Chinese New Year and Zodiac
When we’ve celebrated Lunar New Year at home, pairing coloring with a good story has always made it more memorable. These are a few favorites that fit really well with the zodiac theme:
- Bringing in the New Year – A joyful picture book that follows one family’s preparations. It’s bright, simple, and perfect for younger kids who are just starting to learn about the holiday.
- Celebrating Chinese New Year: An Activity Book – My son enjoyed this one because it mixes reading with hands-on projects like crafts, puzzles, and even recipes. It’s a nice option if you want something interactive.
- Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book – A fun pick for toddlers and preschoolers with sturdy flaps and colorful illustrations.
- Chinese New Year Wishes – A gentle, heartwarming story about a young boy experiencing the traditions of the holiday. It’s a quiet read that still teaches a lot.
Reading one of these books alongside the coloring pages turns it into a complete lesson.
Fun Chinese New Year Activities for Kids
If you’d like to go beyond coloring, these activities fit really well with the zodiac theme and have worked nicely for us at home:
- Chinese New Year matching game – A memory game with zodiac animals and holiday symbols. It’s quick to set up and fun for small groups, and in my experience kids often ask to play more than once.
- Chinese New Year word scramble – This puzzle includes themed words like lantern, dragon, and firecracker. It’s an easy way to sneak in vocabulary practice while keeping the holiday feel.
- Chinese zodiac bookmarks – Printable bookmarks that kids can color and cut out. My son likes to use his in whatever book he’s reading, and they make a simple craft that’s actually useful.
They work in both classrooms and at home, giving kids a mix of learning and play.
Get Your Free Printable Zodiac Coloring Sheets Here!
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In our family, I’m the Snake, which always makes my son laugh. I’d love to hear what your zodiac animal is too, share it in the comments.
Last Updated on 10 September 2025 by Clare Brown