The Mid-Autumn Festival at school allows elementary students to enjoy familiar activities such as lion dances, lantern processions, lantern making, and decorating festive trays with their classmates. The festive atmosphere also gives students opportunities to participate in group activities, work together, and learn more about Mid-Autumn Festival traditions.
To organize a Mid-Autumn Festival for elementary students in a school setting, schools do not need to create a program with too many activities. Instead, they should clearly define the event’s scale, choose age-appropriate activities, organize the schedule effectively, and prepare all aspects of the event, from the space and festive trays to food for students.
How to Plan a Mid-Autumn Festival for Elementary Students
A Mid-Autumn Festival program can last around 60-120 minutes, but preparations should begin well in advance. Defining the event’s scale, activities, and staff responsibilities early will make it easier for the school to plan the budget, assign tasks, and prepare the necessary materials and arrangements.
Determine the Event Scale and Format
First, the school should decide whether the program will be organized school-wide, by grade level, or by class, as the scale will determine how the space, staff, activities, and student meals are arranged.
Several factors should be agreed on from the beginning:
- Number of participants: Include students, teachers, and parents, if applicable.
- Duration: Around 60–120 minutes, depending on the scale of the program.
- Budget: Allocate funds for decorations, activities, gifts, festive trays, and student meals.
- Event format: A school-wide gathering or a combination of shared activities and class-based activities.
For a school-wide program, the school can hold an opening ceremony, lion dance, or performances in the schoolyard, then divide students into their respective classes for hands-on activities and the festive feast. This approach can give the program a clear highlight while making student management more manageable.
Create a Mid-Autumn Festival Timeline
For a program involving multiple classes, the school should begin preparing around 3-4 weeks in advance. Breaking tasks down by timeline milestones makes it easier for different teams to track progress and prevents too many preparations from being left until the last few days before the event.
| Timing | Preparation Tasks |
| 3-4 weeks in advance | Determine the event scale, budget, venue, program content, and staff responsibilities. |
| 1-3 days in advance | Check decorations, equipment, activity supplies, gifts, festive trays, and the number of meal portions. |
| On the event day | Review activity areas, walking routes, gathering points, and the meal distribution time for each class. |
| Program duration | Allocate around 60–120 minutes among performances, hands-on activities, festive tray activities, lantern processions, and the festive feast. |
Depending on the time of the event, schools can prioritize different types of activities:
- Morning: Suitable for lantern making, mask decorating, traditional games, Mid-Autumn Festival-themed puzzles, or craft workshops organized by class.
- Evening: Ideal for lion dances, performances, interactions with Chú Cuội and Chị Hằng, lantern processions, and the festive feast to create a stronger Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere.
Choose the Venue and Assign Staff
For a Mid-Autumn Festival program with multiple activities, schools should divide the space according to each activity so students can participate easily and teachers can coordinate the program more effectively. Each area can be assigned to a suitable group of activities:
- Schoolyard or auditorium: Host the opening ceremony, lion dance, performances, and group activities.
- Classrooms: Suitable for lantern making, mask decorating, games, and small-group activities.
- Cafeteria: Set up student meals, the festive feast, or activities that require more tables, chairs, and service space.
- Staff assignments: Clearly assign staff members to oversee students, the program, logistics, food service, and cleanup in each area.
If the program takes place across multiple areas, schools should establish clear movement routes and have a teacher or staff member accompany each class. This helps students move together as a group, reduces crowding in any one area, and makes the overall program easier to manage.
Mid-Autumn Festival Activity Ideas for Elementary Students
A Mid-Autumn Festival program for elementary students should combine group activities with hands-on experiences. Group activities such as lion dances, performances, and lantern processions help create an exciting atmosphere, while class-based activities such as lantern making, festive tray decorating, and traditional games encourage students to participate more actively and interact with their classmates.
Group Activities for a School Mid-Autumn Festival Program
Group activities should be short, easy to follow, and suitable for a large number of students. Schools can combine several familiar activities, such as:
- Lion dance: Can be used to open the program, create an exciting atmosphere, and capture students’ attention. The lion dance can also be scheduled before the lantern procession to create a highlight in the program.
- Performances: Organize singing, dancing, or other performances around the Mid-Autumn Festival theme. Schools can include performances prepared by students or invite an external performance group, depending on the scale of the program.
- Cuoi and Hang (Moon fairy) storytelling: Retell the familiar story in a short format, combined with a few questions or simple interaction so students can participate rather than simply watch.
- Lantern procession: Organize the procession by class or grade level to make it easier to manage the number of students. Teachers should accompany students and plan a suitable route within the school grounds, especially when many students are participating.
For a school-wide program, the lion dance and performances should be kept within a reasonable timeframe. Students can then return to their classrooms or move to smaller activity areas for hands-on experiences, giving the program a more flexible pace.
Mid-Autumn Festival Hands-On Activity Ideas
To make the Mid-Autumn Festival program more engaging and age-appropriate for elementary students, schools can add hands-on activities that allow students to create things themselves, work with classmates to complete tasks, and learn about familiar Mid-Autumn Festival traditions. Some activities include:
- Lantern making: Students can decorate lanterns using colored paper, cardstock, or other simple, safe materials appropriate for their age. Schools can organize the activity by group or class so students can exchange ideas and create lanterns with their own personal touches.
- Mask decorating: This activity works well in classrooms with pre-prepared mask templates. Students can choose their own colors and patterns, decorate the masks based on their preferences, and then introduce their creations to the class. It is also a simple activity that does not require extensive preparation.
- Traditional games: Schools can choose familiar games such as tug-of-war, blind man’s bluff, ball-passing games, or Ô ăn quan, depending on the available space and students’ ages. Group games allow students to be active, interact with their classmates, and add a lively atmosphere to the program.
- Mid-Autumn Festival-themed puzzles: Schools can prepare cut-out picture sets featuring familiar images such as star lanterns, Chú Cuội, Chị Hằng, mooncakes, or lion dances. Students work in groups to complete the picture within a set time, helping develop teamwork skills while encouraging them to remember familiar images associated with the festival.
For craft activities, supplies should be sorted and prepared for each group before the activity begins. This helps teachers spend less time distributing materials and allows students to start participating as soon as the activity begins.
Choose Activities by Age Group
| Student Group | Suitable Activities | How to Organize |
| Grades 1-2 | Coloring lanterns, decorating masks, puzzles, arranging mooncakes, and short traditional games | Prioritize simple activities with few steps and provide teacher guidance. |
| Grades 3-5 | Making lanterns, decorating festive trays, skits, poetry reading, performances, or themed presentations | Increase group activities and give students more independence throughout the process. |
How to Decorate a Mid-Autumn Festival Tray at School
The Mid-Autumn Festival tray can be both a highlight of the program and a hands-on learning activity for students. Instead of preparing everything in advance, each class can work together to arrange mooncakes, fruit, lanterns, and handmade crafts to create a festive tray with its own unique character.
Key Components and Layout of the Festive Tray
A school festive tray does not need to include too many items. More importantly, the arrangement should be balanced, easy to see, and appropriate for the classroom or display area.
| Item | Round Table | Long Table |
| Main focal point | Place mooncakes, a fruit display, or a lantern in the center to create a focal point. | Create one focal point in the middle or divide the display into 2–3 sections along the length of the table. |
| Mooncakes and fruit | Arrange them around the center, alternating between different groups to maintain a balanced layout. | Divide them into smaller groups along the table rather than arranging them in a single row. |
| Lanterns and decorations | Place them between the mooncakes and fruit without blocking the main items. | Place them between the different sections or in open spaces to create a more cohesive display. |
| Student-made crafts | Arrange them around the festive tray to give the class display a personal touch. | Group them into sections or place them along the front of the table for easy viewing. |
| Overall layout | Suitable for a centralized display that can be viewed from multiple sides. | Suitable for a longer space, with clearly defined sections that still maintain a cohesive overall look. |
Organize Class-Based Decorating Activities
Schools can turn Mid-Autumn Festival tray decorating into a class-based hands-on activity. Each class can choose its own theme or decorating style and then assign different tasks to students. Students can prepare lanterns, name signs, crafts, and simple decorations before working together to arrange the mooncakes, fruit, and other elements on the festive tray. Teachers can provide guidance and support when needed while encouraging students to develop their own ideas, allowing the final display to reflect the spirit and creativity of the entire class.
Once the display is complete, students can enjoy the festive feast, play together, and take photos with their classmates to capture memorable moments. The school or teachers can also document the class activities and share photos with parents, allowing families to see the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere and their children’s experiences at school.
If the festive tray will be displayed or used for a competition, the mooncakes and fruit intended for students to eat should be prepared separately in the classroom or at the school canteen. This arrangement keeps the display intact while making it more convenient when it is time for students to enjoy the festive feast.
60-90 Minute Mid-Autumn Festival Program Outline
A 60-90 minute timeframe works well for combining performances, hands-on activities, festive tray viewing, and the festive feast without making the program too long for elementary students.
| Stage | Activities | Duration |
| Opening | Opening ceremony and program introduction | 5-10 minutes |
| Performance | Lion dance, performances, or stage interaction | 15 minutes |
| Hands-on activities | Games, crafts, or class-based activities | 20-25 minutes |
| Festive trays | Viewing the displays, presentations, and announcing results | 15 minutes |
| Closing | Lantern procession, festive feast, and student dismissal | 15-20 minutes |
The timing can be adjusted depending on when the event takes place. If the program is held in the morning, more time can be allocated to hands-on activities. For an evening program, the school can prioritize the lion dance, lantern procession, and festive feast to better suit the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival night.
Organizing Food and Meal Service for Students
Food service should be considered from the beginning of the planning process, especially for programs involving multiple classes. When the number of portions, serving sizes, and distribution times are determined in advance, the festive feast can run more smoothly and reduce the chance of multiple classes gathering at the same time.
- Portion sizes: Adjust portions based on grade level, age, and program duration. Schools can refer to age-appropriate meal portions for students.
- Food selection: Prioritize moderate portions of mooncakes, pre-portioned fruit, light snacks, and drinks suitable for students.
- Distribution: Prepare meals according to the number of students in each class or grade and establish serving times in advance.
- Serving area: Meals can be distributed in the cafeteria, classrooms, or schoolyard, depending on the event format.
The Mid-Autumn Festival meal does not need to include too many items. More importantly, portions should be appropriate for students’ ages, the time of the event, and the other meals they have eaten that day. If the program takes place close to a regular mealtime, mooncakes and snacks should also be adjusted so they do not significantly affect students’ overall food intake.
School Implementation Checklist
To help the Mid-Autumn Festival run smoothly, schools should prepare the main items in advance and clearly assign responsibilities. A simple checklist can help the organizing team track progress, reduce oversights, and proactively handle unexpected situations on the event day.
| Item | Preparation |
| Program | Develop the program outline, determine the duration of each section and event format, and assign responsibilities. |
| Space | Check the stage, tables and chairs, activity areas, festive feast area, and student walking routes. |
| Activities | Prepare all necessary supplies, determine the number of participating students, and decide how to divide them into groups or classes. |
| Festive trays | Agree on a theme and prepare decorating materials, mooncakes, fruit, and name signs for each class. |
| Food service | Estimate the number of portions and serving sizes, determine preparation times, set up a staging area, and establish the handover point for each class. |
| Staff | Assign teachers to each class, logistics staff, and cafeteria staff, and prepare backup arrangements for unexpected situations. |
The school should conduct a final check 1-3 days before the program, paying particular attention to student attendance numbers, the number of meal portions, equipment, decoration areas, and backup plans in case weather affects outdoor activities.
When Should Schools Work With a Food Service Provider?
For a Mid-Autumn Festival program involving multiple classes or requiring a large number of meals to be served within a short period, schools can work with their existing school meal provider to support the entire food preparation and service process. The provider can use the student count for each class to prepare the appropriate number of portions, organize meals by area or class, and coordinate distribution times so students can receive their meals conveniently and according to the planned schedule.
This approach reduces the amount of food-related work that school staff need to handle while the program is taking place. When multiple classes are eating at the same time, having meal preparation and portioning handled through a standardized process can also help reduce the risk of shortages, excess portions, mix-ups between classes, or inconsistent service. This allows the school to focus more on guiding students through the Mid-Autumn Festival activities and ensuring that the program runs as planned.
Schools can explore The Caterers’ school meal services to find a suitable food service solution for their Mid-Autumn Festival program.
The Caterers Supports School Mid-Autumn Festival Activities
The Caterers provides school meal and cafeteria services with menus and portion sizes designed to suit students’ ages and nutritional needs. For Mid-Autumn Festival programs, The Caterers can work with schools to prepare meals, mooncakes, fruit, and other related food service items based on student numbers, grade levels, and the event schedule.
Through its school canteen service, The Caterers works with schools from planning meal options to organizing food service on the event day. Preparing meals according to grade levels and specific serving times helps make food service more convenient while fitting smoothly into students’ activity schedules and overall Mid-Autumn Festival experience.
Contact The Caterers for advice on a school meal service model that suits your school’s size and operating conditions:
- Hotline: 028 3812 6901
- Email: sales@thecaterers.vn
