In Chinese folklore, dragons guard the earth's jewels, govern the weather and watch over the rivers. With this costume version of the legendary beast, you can lead a traditional Chinese game.

DRESS LIKE A DRAGON

To make a mask, you'll need a six-by-30-inch piece of yellow poster board and several sheets of different-colored craft paper. Wrap the poster board around the back of your child's head and staple together the sides an inch or two from his forehead. Remove the poster board and make the dragon's face by gluing together the poster board flaps that project from the brow band (the brow band will serve as its neck). Cut out the dragon's mouth and contour the top of its face. Glue craft-paper scales to its neck, face and chin. Add paper eyes, flaring nostrils, teeth and horns. Finally, glue the base of a red paper flame to its lower jaw.

CHASE THE DRAGON'S TAIL

This time-honored Chinese game is played by at least 10 kids. One child is the head of the dragon and wears the mask. The other players line up behind him with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. The head has one minute to tag the last kid in line without causing the line to break apart. If he succeeds, he wins; if not, he becomes the tail, and the child behind him wears the mask.