On the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the First Lunar Month, sweet rice tangyuan warmed all hearts.
正月十五元宵至，甜糯汤圆暖人心
On this traditional festival symbolizing reunion and happiness, 13 children gathered at the Fifth Community Activity Center in Fengpu Street. Under the guidance of teachers from the Shanghai Youdao Charity Service Center, they immersed themselves in the fun of making tangyuan, spending time filled with the warmth of folk customs.
在这个象征团圆与美满的传统节日里，13个小朋友齐聚奉浦街道第五社区活动中心，在上海忧道公益服务中心老师的指导下，沉浸式体验包汤圆的乐趣，度过了一段充满烟火气的民俗时光。
Before the event even started, everything was ready. Neatly arranged white glutinous rice flour and sweet fillings were laid out. The worktable was orderly, and the children, wearing aprons, watched intently with curious eyes, eager to try their hand at it.
活动尚未开始，现场早已准备就绪。洁白的糯米粉、香甜的馅料整齐摆放，操作台旁秩序井然，孩子们戴着小围裙，一双双好奇的眼睛紧紧盯着操作台，跃跃欲试想大展身手。
"First, take some of the glutinous rice flour dough, roll it into a ball, then make a small indentation with your thumb, put in the filling, and slowly seal it and roll it into a ball." As the teachers demonstrated and explained, the "secret" to making tangyuan was instantly unlocked. The teachers patiently guided the children, correcting their movements step by step, imparting their knowledge in every detail, from the pressure applied to pinching the filling to the technique of rolling the glutinous rice balls.
“先取适量糯米粉团，揉成圆球，再用大拇指按出小窝，放入馅料后慢慢收口搓圆。”随着老师们一边示范一边讲解，包汤圆的“秘诀”瞬间被解锁。老师们手把手指导，耐心纠正孩子们的动作，从捏馅料的力度，到搓汤圆的手法，每个细节都倾囊相授。
The seemingly simple steps proved surprisingly challenging for the children. Some pressed the rice balls flat, some added too much filling and burst their "bellies," and others had their hands covered with the rice flour, becoming adorable "little white hands." But the children were not discouraged. With the teachers' help, they kept trying and adjusting. With plenty of laughter and chatter, freshly made rice balls of various shapes and sizes eventually emerged. Some were round and plump, others small and delicate; though their appearances differed, they were all filled by the children's innocence and creativity.
看似简单的步骤，实操起来却让孩子们“状况百出”。有的小朋友把汤圆搓成了“小扁球”，有的馅料放太多撑破了“肚皮”，还有的手上沾满糯米粉，变成了可爱的“小白手”。但孩子们丝毫没有气馁，在老师们的帮助下，不断尝试、反复调整。欢声笑语中，一个个形态各异的汤圆新鲜出炉。它们有的圆润饱满，有的小巧玲珑，虽然模样不一，却都裹满了孩子们的童真与创意。
As the steaming hot rice balls came out of the pot, their rich, sweet aroma filled every corner of the activity center. The children filled their small bowls, eagerly savoring the fruits of their labor. One bite, and the soft, chewy outer layer paired with the sweet filling brought a burst of happiness to their taste buds.
当热气腾腾的汤圆出锅，浓郁的甜香弥漫在活动中心的每个角落。孩子们捧着汤圆的小碗，迫不及待地品尝自己的劳动成果。咬上一口，软糯的外皮搭配香甜的馅料，幸福感在舌尖绽放。
A bowl of rice balls, a touch of warmth. The Shanghai Youdao Public Welfare Service Center will continue to leverage various activity platforms to carry out more down-to-earth and heartwarming traditional cultural activities, allowing children in the community to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture through immersive happiness.
一碗汤圆，一份温情。上海忧道公益服务中心将继续依托各类活动载体，开展更多接地气、有温度的传统文化活动，让社区小朋友们在沉浸式体验中感受中华优秀传统文化的魅力。
