Mid-Autumn Festival
Suitable for Grades 4-6
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
Answers are on the last page!
Explore Ideas!
WHAT IS MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL?
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.
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.
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.
Create!
MAKE 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
MAKE MOONCAKES!
Follow the instructions below to make either a no-bake mooncake or a cooked version.
Adam Liaw’s delicious no-bake mooncake
How to make moon cakes at home-easy recipe
Share!
- 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.
Post!
- Tag @MegGlobalEd on school posts so we can celebrate your students’ wonderful work. Find Meg on Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram
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