Create a Koi fish sensory bin for a fun Chinese New Year activity.

In Chinese culture, Koi fish symbolize wealth, happiness, and success, making them a perfect addition to your Chinese New Year celebrations. Creating paper koi fish and incorporating them into your kids’ sensory bin is a delightful way to embrace these positive attributes and engage in festive activities.

How to set up a koi fish sensory bin:

Materials needed:

• Round tray
• Patterned paper; green, orange, yellow and pink
• Colored papers; pink and green
• Glue gun and stick
• Scissors
• Black marker
• Koi fish template

For the colored rice:

• 1 cup rice
• Blue food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• Ziplock
• Paper towel

Instructions:

For the colored rice:

• Fill the ziplock with a cup of rice.
• Pour the vinegar.
• Pour a few drops of the food coloring.
• Close the ziplock.
• Mix and spread the food coloring with the rice.
• Add more drops until you reach your desired hue.
• Pour the colored rice evenly on the paper towel and let dry.

Koi fish origamis:

• Download the koi fish template and follow the instructions found on the template.
• Create koi fish origamis using the patterned paper.
• Add eyes to the fish using the black marker.

Water lilies:

• Draw and cut out the water lilies from the pink cardstock.
• Draw and cut out the lily pads from the green cardstock.
• Glue the water lilies on top of the lily pads.

How to set up:

• Fill the tray with the colored rice.
• Arrange the koi fish and lily pads on top.
• Put out scoops, plates and bowls.

How to play:

• Encourage kids to scoop and transfer the rice.
• Explore the different items.
• Have fun.

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