Dragon boat racing is a traditional Dragon Boat Festival activity, but young children can only watch such an intense sport from afar. However, you can have fun making small crafts with your child—it’s quite enjoyable too.
△ Tying Five-Color Thread
The five colors refer to “green, red, white, black, and yellow,” representing the five directions and five elements. Wearing five-color thread is a treat for kids—it can be tied around the wrists, ankles, or neck, with the rule of left for boys and right for girls. In traditional culture, this is believed to keep children safe and healthy.
△ Wearing a Perfume Pouch
It goes by many names, such as sachet, spice bag, or embroidered pouch. Crafty moms can sew one using five-color threads and scraps of fabric, filling it with traditional Chinese herbs like angelica dahurica, ligusticum wallichii, scutellaria, and lysimachia. Worn around the child’s chest, it gives off a pleasant fragrance.
△ Painting the Forehead
This custom is meant to ward off poisonous insects. FunTime spicy pageBesides the forehead, it can also be applied to the nose, ears, and other areas. A reminder: drinking realgar wine is also a traditional custom during the Dragon Boat Festival. Realgar mainly contains arsenic sulfide and is toxic due to its mercury content—do not drink it straight, and never let children drink it.
The fragrance of zongzi fills the air during the Dragon Boat Festival, but babies under 1 year old should not eat zongzi to avoid indigestion. Children over 1 year old should eat zongzi warm and in small amounts—never too much at once. Here are a few new ways to enjoy zongzi that moms can make with their kids~
'd Fruit Zongzi Skewers
Peel and cut zongzi into small pieces, fry them, then use oil-absorbing paper to remove excess grease. Next, cut various seasonal fresh fruits into pieces and skewer them together. You can prepare several types of fruit—the colorful assortment looks great, tastes delicious, and cuts through the richness.
'd Red Bean Zongzi Soup
Red bean soup is a great dish for strengthening the spleen and stomach, helping to boost qi and blood, as well as promote diuresis and reduce swelling. Dice cooked zongzi and add it to red bean soup—it’s perfect for kids to enjoy in the summer.
'd Zongzi Salad
For this dish, dice cooked zongzi and mix it with diced seasonal fruits and shrimp. Add yogurt and a pinch of salt for seasoning. This method results in a fresher-tasting salad while providing various vitamins, trace elements, and protein nutrients.
Kids are naturally curious and full of energy. If conditions allow, parents might want to take their children traveling. When going on trips, keep the following tips in mind:
' Plan the Itinerary Based on Your Situation
The Dragon Boat Festival, as a traditional Chinese holiday, has a statutory three-day break. Depending on your situation, you can request leave to create a longer vacation and take the kids out for a trip. Just be sure not to pack the schedule too tightly, or the kids might not be able to handle it.
' Immerse in Local Cultural Atmosphere
Dragon Boat Festival customs are largely similar across regions, but there are some differences. During this festive time, parents might want to take the kids out to experience the local holiday atmosphere. Of course, you can also travel elsewhere—here are a few recommended spots: for the most authentic Dragon Boat Festival experience, head to Miluo River in Yueyang; visit Gangneung, South Korea, to see the uniquely Korean Dano Festival; and cities like Jinan, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Xiamen are also great choices.
' Don’t Bring Zongzi When Traveling Abroad
Actually, zongzi isn’t exclusive to China—other countries and regions have their own traditional foods too. Currently, at least 29 countries and regions around the world completely or partially prohibit the entry of zongzi, with six countries—USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand—not allowing meat or egg-filled zongzi. Meanwhile, Germany, France, Spain, and others do not permit any type of zongzi.
' Check the Bill Carefully When Paying
Whether abroad or at home, always carefully review your receipts or bills when dining or staying at accommodations. If you spot any errors, ask the service staff to correct them. A reminder: if the bill shows that a service charge has already been included, you don’t need to tip the server separately. Also, it’s best not to carry large amounts of cash when traveling.
Lastly, kids are naturally curious and eager to learn. To avoid being stumped by their questions, let’s do our homework in advance and familiarize ourselves with the history and stories behind the Dragon Boat Festival.