Mid-Autumn Festival

Suitable for Grades 4-6

Mid-Autumn Festival-Kong Ming Lanterns
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Ignite Curiosity!

Match the foods to the correct Chinese festival or celebration:

A. Chinese/Lunar New Year

B. Birthday celebrations

C. Mid-Autumn Festival

D. Dragon Boat Festival

Siomay, dumplings
Zongzi,
3
1
Stack of Mooncakes on Bamboo Tray
Chinese  noodles, which means prosperity and longevity
2
4

Answers are on the last page!

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Explore Ideas!

WHAT IS MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL?

Mooncake
Mooncake

Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated annually in China and globally by Chinese communities. It's a lunar ​festival, which means the date changes yearly, but is always in Autumn, on Month 8, Day 15 of the lunar calendar. That day is ​always in September or October. The festival centres around enjoying the full moon and, like all festivals, has special foods to ​eat and different activities. There is also a well known myth from the festival, ‘Chang’e the Moon Goddess’.

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

Explore the videos and readings, recording key information and then discussing ​together, in groups or with a partner how Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated.

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RETELL THE STORY OF HOU YI


Watch the two videos that retell the main myth that is based around Mid-Autumn Festival. This is sometimes ​referred to as Hou Yi and the Sun, sometimes as Change E Flies to the Moon or sometimes The Rabbit in the Moon. ​All are the same myth with slight variations on the focus.

Hand-drawn Mid-Autumn Festival Illustration - Cute rabbit making mooncake

After watching the videos, students can choose a medium to retell the story; cartoons, role plays, podcasts, storytelling, ​etc.

Extension: The Rabbit in the Moon Story

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Changér Flies to the Moon is a commonly told story. It is based on the myth of Houyi and ​Changér and also references a 'rabbit in the moon'. The idea of a rabbit in the moon can be found in other cultural stories, ​including ancient Aztecs.

Explore the global links of this story through the videos and activities on these pages.

Moon Rabbit and Mooncakes for Mid Autumn Festival
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Create!

MAKE A LANTERN

Hand drawn Mid-Autumn Festival illustration - Cute rabbit holding a lantern

Lantern making is a common activity at Mid-Autumn Festival. ​Riddles are often inscribed on the lanterns as part of the ​festival and seen as a fun activity. Explore how riddles work ​here and try writing your own.


Make a lantern (find simple and complex lantern making ​activity cards here) just like at Mid-Autumn Festival.

Check out how lanterns are used in the festival ​celebrations and all the different styles and shapes ​you can see in the streets, homes and communities

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MAKE MOONCAKES!

Mooncake

Follow the instructions below to make either a no-​bake mooncake or a cooked version.

Adam Liaw’s delicious no-bake mooncake

Mid Autumn Festival - Moon Rabbit and Mooncakes

How to make moon cakes at home-easy recipe

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Share!

Rabbit holding mooncake
  • Share your students’ fantastic work with your school community to show them the great intercultural ​learning taking place in your classroom!


  • Prepare an assembly item, social media content or posters to share about this holiday.


  • Create a Learning Wall about the festival, with Inquiry Questions.


  • Display students‘ work on the festival on the Learning Wall or around the school.
Mid Autumn Festival Moon and Cloud
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Post!

  • Tag @MegGlobalEd on school posts so we can celebrate your students’ wonderful ​work. Find Meg on Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram
Mid-Autumn Festival-Kong Ming Lanterns

Answers for Ignite:

Number 3: A. Chinese/Lunar New Year

Number 4: B. Birthday celebrations

Number 1: C. Mid-Autumn Festival

Number 2: D. Dragon Boat Festival