Chinese Money Tree Activities

Easy to do, creative Chinese money tree activities that give early learners a chance to use shiny gold coins and loose parts in art and sensory play while learning about a world-renowned celebration.

Chinese money trees have been part of Chinese New Year celebrations since the 1980s and are a symbol of luck and wealth. People buy money trees for their homes and place them in strategic places. They also purchase and display shiny, metallic tree ornaments laden with gold coins. Here are art and sensory Chinese money tree activities your early learners will enjoy.

Chinese Money Tree Tray

Set a tree drawing inside a wooden tray. Add containers with Chinese coins and green and gold gems.

Invitation to decorate a Chinese money tree with gold coins and acrylic gems.

Feel free to download this template for the project.

Tree PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

Invite your little learners to decorate the tree.

Chinese Money Tree Papercraft

Cut brown paper trees using the template for a pattern. Punch or cut circle shapes from metallic gold cardstock. Then ask your little charges to glue a tree on an 8 ½ x 11-inch piece of paper and glue golden circles around the branches.

Little ones could also decorate their tree with coins and gems.

Colored Tree Papercraft

Invite your early learners to color the trunk and leaves of the tree template.

Chinese money tree coloring and collage art project.

Then ask your little charges to glue golden circles on their tree.

These creative, easy to do Chinese money tree activities give early learners a chance to use shiny gold coins and gem loose parts while learning about the Chinese New Year celebration.

Chinese Money Tree For Your Home

In addition to offering artful money tree activities, purchasing a live one is a terrific option. The trees are compact, low maintenance, safe for pets, and good air purifiers.

My favorite variety has a braided trunk and is called Pachira Aquatica. It is actually a few trees carefully intertwined while they are growing.

Compound leaves with five leaflets commonly fill the tree. The leaflets represent the five areas of balance: earth, water, wind, fire, and metal.