Guide to Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Activities and Traditions for Kids
Wondering how to celebrate Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with kids at home or school? In this guide, we delve into ancient Chinese traditions and modern-day Mid-Autumn Festival activities for kids.
Luckily, these days, you can celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival traditions anywhere! No matter your location, you can go all out or keep festivities simple at home or school.
What is Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival, and 中秋节/中秋節 (zhōngqiū jié) is a time-honored celebration for millions of people across the globe.
At its heart, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a Chinese Thanksgiving. Relatives gather together, celebrate the harvest, express gratitude for blessings, and share a special meal.
In addition to admiring the full moon, families also enjoy retelling the legend about 嫦娥奔月 (Cháng’é ascending to the moon) and 玉兔捣药 / 玉兔搗藥 (Jade Rabbit making the elixir of immortality).
When to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with kids?
As summer gradually yields to autumn, families reunite to celebrate this holiday.
The specific date of the Mid-Autumn Festival changes from year to year. According to the lunisolar calendar, it’s celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
This means that the holiday is sometime during September or October when the moon is at its roundest and brightest – a symbol of unity and togetherness.
In 2025, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Monday, October 6.
In the next few years, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the following dates:
- Friday, September 25, 2026
- Wednesday, September 15, 2027
- Tuesday, October 3, 2028
- Saturday, September 22, 2029
- Thursday, September 12, 2030
- Wednesday, October 1, 2031
- Sunday, September 19, 2032
- Thursday, September 8, 2033
At school, some teachers celebrate the holiday during the week of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Others group the Mid-Autumn Festival with other fall lessons or Thanksgiving activities.
Which Asian countries celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival activities?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is primarily celebrated in East Asian countries, each with its unique names and traditions.
In China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia — countries with large ethnic Chinese populations — the Mid-Autumn Festival is called 中秋节/中秋節 (zhōngqiū jié).
- In Korea, the Mid-Autumn Festival is known as 추석, or Chuseok.
- In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is known as Tết Trung Thu.
- In Japan, the Mid-Autumn Festival is known as 月見,つきみ, or Tsukimi.
Explore this: Inclusive Lunar New Year Lesson Plan for Kids
What are the traditional foods for the Mid-Autumn Festival?
In Chinese culture, mooncakes (月饼, yuèbǐng) are the quintessential Mid-Autumn Festival treat! Round like the moon, this pastry can have a sweet or savory filling.
Other important foods depend on regional and family culture. For example, in Taiwan, moonlight barbecues have become a popular tradition in recent decades.
Depending on personal preferences, crab 螃蟹 (pángxiè), duck 鸭子/鴨子 (yāzi), pomelo 柚子 (yòuzi), lotus root 莲藕/蓮藕(lián’ǒu), taro 芋头/芋頭 (yù tóu) might also be part of the family feast.
Fun Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival activities for kids
Looking for fun and easy ways to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with kids? Check out these Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival activities.
Reading activity: Mid-Autumn Festival books for kids
Reading is an important way for children to learn about Chinese culture. Thankfully, there are several fantastic children’s books about Mid-Autumn Festival traditions.
Explore the best Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival books for kids here.
Related: Great Korean Chuseok Books for Kids
Sensory activities: DIY Chinese mooncakes for kids
Grab some mooncake molds and playdough for hands-on mooncake play!
Years ago, when we were first learning how to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, playdough mooncakes became an instant hit. I’ve lost count of how many times our children have done this simple Mid-Autumn Festival activity!
Get our easy recipe and learn how to make playdough mooncakes here.
Lunar science learning: Moon phase crafts and activities
Since the Mid-Autumn Festival date depends on the moon phases, it’s a great time to learn a little science.
- Download Montessori Moon Phases cards with photos from NASA.
- Track your night sky observations with a printable moon phase journal.
- Try these fun moon crafts and activities like the timeless Oreo cookie moon phase snack-tivity!
- Read interesting books about the moon.
Simple crafts: Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns for kids
If you’re wondering how to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at school, here’s an easy activity for kids of all ages. Like the Chinese Lunar New Year, homes and cities are decorated with lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Learn how to make Chinese paper lanterns in 5 steps with a template.
- Looking for decorations? We love these affordable, vibrant, and beautiful lanterns here.
No prep activities: Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival videos for kids
- Check out these interesting Mid-Autumn Festival videos in English and Chinese.
- Watch the animated movie “Over the Moon” on Netflix. See more Chinese Neflix Shows for Kids here.
Musical activity: Learn Chinese songs about the moon
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by learning a new song! From Li Bai’s famous Tang poem to 月亮代表我的心 Moon Represents My Heart Lyrics, there are so many great songs and poems inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Eating activities: Mooncakes and traditional Chinese foods
These days, you might be able to find mooncakes at your local Costco. If your nearby grocery stores don’t have mooncakes, you can order mooncakes online.
Since we live in a small, non-diverse American town, I’m grateful that culture is a lot more accessible these days. Here are some shops that sell mooncake gift boxes:
If you’re vegan or have food allergies, Little Moon Bakehouse (formerly Annie T Cakes) is a wonderful bakery in the Bay Area! For the Mid-Autumn Festival, she offers pick-up in San Jose and delivery throughout California. Her customer service is careful and compassionate.
If you enjoy cooking, try these popular recipes for the Mid-Autumn Festival:
- Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Menu from Omnivore’s Cookbook
- Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Foods from Woks of Life
- Vegan Mooncakes 纯素月饼 / 純素月餅 (chún sù yuèbǐng) from the Plant Based Wok
Silly activity: Wear a pomelo hat!
In Taiwanese culture, pomelo peel hats are a fun activity for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.
To make pomelo hats, cut off the top and score the sides. (If you don’t have a pomelo, a large grapefruit would work!) Enjoy the fruit on the inside, and leave the peel intact to create a hat.
Why do parents put pomelo hats on their kids? Legend says that it helps the Moon Lady, Chang’e, notice and bless the children.
Although pomelo hats are not a common tradition in China or other East Asian countries, TV personality Chrissy Teigen has proudly inherited the pomelo hat tradition from her Thai mother.
“Cultural traditions have the power to transcend national borders; each family can decide which activities they would like to embrace or omit.” – Betty Choi, MD
What’s your favorite way to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival activities with kids?
We’d love to learn about your favorite Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at home or school. Please share in the comments below!
Wow! What an amazing article and list of resources – you’ve thought of everything! Big thank you for including “Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival”!