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Celebrations · The activity desk

Zodiac ox field picture

Draw an ox and a field while learning about the Chinese zodiac.

Let's play →

A little plan for play

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What you need

Paper and child-appropriate crayons

Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.

Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.

Set up: Place paper and crayons on a table. An adult can draw a large oval to start the ox's face.

Adult's role: Explain that the ox is one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and help draw if wanted.

Let's make it happen

  1. Draw an oval face with two rounded ears and two curved horns.
  2. Add eyes, a broad nose and a body using large shapes.
  3. Color the ox and draw a field for it to visit.

Make it simpler: Color the adult's oval and add two eyes together.

Clean up: Put crayons away and keep or recycle the picture.

Families celebrate Chinese New Year in different ways. Let the child choose colors and details.

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