Moon Cakes for the Lunar New Year!
Last month, our preschoolers celebrated Lunar New Year with a hands-on, delicious activity: decorating rice cakes to look like moons! We talked about the moon as a symbol of new beginnings and gathered around the table to create our own edible “moon art.”
Using yogurt and simple toppings, the children explored textures, shapes, and colors while practicing fine motor skills and making creative choices. Each moon was unique — some overfilled, some a little bumpy, some were just a pile of raisins — and all were made with care and joy. Best of all, the children proudly enjoyed their creations together.
Want to try this again at home or revisit it in the classroom? Here’s how:
What You’ll Need
Plain rice cakes
A spread (cream cheese, sunflower butter, or yogurt)
Small toppings (fruit pieces, raisins, coconut, sesame seeds)
How to Do It
Start with a plain rice cake and talk about its round “moon” shape.
Spread a thin layer of your chosen topping.
Let your child decorate freely — there’s no right or wrong way!
As they decorate, ask open-ended questions like:
“What does your moon look like?”
“How does it feel to spread and sprinkle?”
Enjoy eating your moon together!
Learning Connections
Fine motor skills (spreading, placing toppings)
Creativity and self-expression
Trying new foods or food combinations
Cultural awareness through celebration and food
