If you celebrate Lunar New Year, you probably already have foods that feel meaningful in your family. And if you don’t, this can still be a really fun moment to introduce kids to new flavors and traditions in a respectful, low-pressure way.

Either way, this is not a post about doing “the perfect spread.” It’s about a few simple foods that work well for little kids and still feel special.

Micro safety note: Always supervise young children while eating and prepare foods in age-appropriate sizes and textures. If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions, follow your pediatrician’s guidance. 

A quick note on Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is celebrated across many countries and cultures, and food traditions can look different from family to family. The ideas below are meant to be flexible—pick what feels right for your household.

6 Kid-Friendly Lunar New Year Food Ideas

1) Long noodles (served “short” for kids)

In many families, noodles symbolize longevity. For kids, I like making noodles and then cutting them into shorter lengths so they’re easier to manage.

Easy options:

• Lo mein-style noodles with mild sauce

• Rice noodles with sesame oil and a little soy sauce (or coconut aminos)

• Buttered noodles with a sprinkle of sesame seeds

Tip: add finely chopped veggies or a soft scrambled egg if that helps it feel more filling.

2) Dumplings (store-bought is totally fine)

Dumplings are a classic Lunar New Year food in many families. You don’t need to make them from scratch to make it special.

What works for kids:

• Steam or pan-sear until soft

• Cut into bite-size pieces

• Serve with a mild dipping sauce on the side (or skip)

If your child is in a picky phase, serving dumplings with a familiar side (rice, fruit, yogurt) helps.

3) A “lucky” citrus moment (mandarins/oranges)

Mandarins and oranges show up a lot around Lunar New Year and feel festive without being candy. For toddlers, peel and separate into segments, and remove any seeds.

You can also do:

• orange slices with cinnamon

• citrus alongside a savory snack plate

4) Fried rice (the easiest “use what you have” meal)

This is one of my favorite weeknight-friendly celebration foods because it’s flexible and can be mild.

Simple fried rice template:

• cooked rice

• scrambled egg (optional)

• peas/carrots (fresh or frozen)

• a small amount of soy sauce or coconut aminos

• sesame oil if you like it

For little kids, keep it soft and not too salty.

5) Veggie + protein “soup cups”

If it’s cold where you are, a warm soup in a mug or small thermos feels cozy and special.

Ideas:

• miso soup with soft tofu (watch sodium; keep it mild)

• chicken broth with noodles and spinach

• lentil soup (soft texture, filling)

6) A simple “red and gold” snack plate

Not everything needs to be themed, but kids really do like color and repetition. A snack plate is an easy way to offer a few choices without pressure.

Red/gold snack plate ideas:

• red bell pepper strips

• cherry tomatoes (halved/quartered appropriately)

• orange segments

• roasted sweet potato cubes

• crackers or rice cakes

• hummus or bean dip

The “Lunar New Year Celebration Plate” (a simple template)

If you want one easy go-to, do this:

Pick one:

• noodles

• rice

• dumplings

Add one:

• a veggie (cucumber, bell pepper, peas, carrots)

• or a veggie blend you already use

Add one:

• a protein (egg, tofu, beans)

Finish with:

• citrus on the side

This keeps it festive and balanced without making it complicated.

If you’re introducing new flavors, keep it low-pressure

A few things that help (especially with toddlers):

• serve a small portion of the new food next to familiar foods

• keep the first exposure tiny

• let them touch/smell/lick it without making it a “bite” situation

• repeat the exposure another day if it doesn’t land the first time

The Takeaway

Celebrating Lunar New Year with kids can be simple. A small plate of noodles or dumplings, something bright like citrus, and a veggie side is more than enough to make it feel special—without turning it into a big project.

If you’re looking for an easy savory option to round out a celebration plate or support more veggie exposure on busy weeks, Petite Palates’ globally inspired veggie + plant-protein blends fit naturally alongside these kinds of family meals.