On Friday 31 October 2025, Lancaster University Confucius Institute hosted the Chinese Character Creative Workshop as part of Light Up Lancaster Explore Week at The Storey, Lancaster. The workshop welcomed around 80 participants, including children, families, and local residents, for a lively and imaginative introduction to Chinese language and culture.

The event invited participants to embark on a “Chinese adventure,” discovering the beauty and creativity of Chinese characters through hands-on activities. The workshop featured four interactive stations designed to make learning both educational and fun.

The first activity, “Chinese Calligraphy and Lego Game,” encouraged children to use colourful Lego bricks to build Chinese characters, blending play with language learning and sparking curiosity about character structure and meaning.

In the “Chinese Character Colouring Game,” participants used paintbrushes and coloured pencils to fill in their favourite Chinese characters, combining artistic expression with an appreciation of the form and rhythm of written Chinese.

The “Character Detective Challenge” tested observation and imagination as attendees matched pictorial clues to corresponding Chinese characters, exploring how ancient pictographs evolved into modern writing.

Finally, in the “Brush and Ink Experience,” guests learned traditional calligraphy techniques under the guidance of Confucius Institute teachers. Picking up the brush and writing Chinese characters by hand allowed participants to experience the calm and focus of this centuries-old art form.

The workshop was a highlight of Lancaster’s autumn festival week, offering a family-friendly space where creativity met cultural exploration. Through play, art, and language, the Hanzi Creative Workshop brought Chinese characters to life and inspired participants to see language as a bridge between cultures.

By engaging the community in fun and accessible cultural learning, Lancaster University Confucius Institute continues its mission to promote understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture through meaningful, interactive experiences.