India’s festive season brings colors, music, devotion, and joy — and two of the most celebrated festivals during this time are Navratri and Dussehra. As parents, teachers, or caregivers, these festivals are a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to our rich cultural heritage through stories, crafts, and activities that spark curiosity and creativity.
When my daughter once asked, “Mumma, Navratri means no school and dancing, right?” — I realized how festivals become the perfect learning moments. Instead of just telling her facts, I wanted to help her experience the celebrations with fun hands-on activities, easy crafts, songs, and mythology stories. If you’d like to do the same with your little ones, this guide is for you.
Today, we bring 21 Navratri & Dussehra crafts and activities for kids — covering Ramayana-themed projects, Dandiya DIYs, Goddess Durga crafts, and celebration ideas suitable for toddlers to tweens.
Let’s make festival time meaningful, creative, and memorable!
🌼 What Are Navratri and Dussehra? (Kid-Friendly Explanation)
🕘 Navratri means “Nine Nights.”
During these nine nights, families worship the Divine Mother (Devi) in different forms, symbolizing strength, wisdom, protection, love, and courage.
The festival ends with Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami), a celebration of the victory of:
✅ Lord Rama over Ravana (Ramayana story) AND
✅ Goddess Durga over Mahishasura (Shakti story)
The message for kids?
Good always wins over evil. Truth always wins over lies.
📅 Navratri & Dussehra 2025 Dates
- Navratri 2025: September 22 — October 1
- Dussehra 2025: October 2
- Chaitra Navratri 2025: March 30 — April 7
🎨 21 Navratri & Dussehra Crafts & Activities for Kids
1️⃣ Ramayana Story Puppets
Make paper puppets of:
- Rama
- Sita
- Lakshmana
- Hanuman
- Ravana
Attach to popsicle sticks and retell the story at home.
Learning: creativity + storytelling
2️⃣ DIY Dandiya Sticks
Wrap wooden dowels with:
- Colorful papers or ribbons
- Bells / beads / glitter tape
Kids can use these for Garba practice at home.
3️⃣ Garba Dress Up & Dance Time
Let kids wear:
- Lehenga / kurta
- Floral garlands
- Bindis & bangles
Teach simple Garba steps — clap-turn-circle!
4️⃣ Ravana Mask Craft
Use cardboard or paper plates to make a 10-headed Ravana mask.
Add glitter, feathers, or foil to make it grand.
5️⃣ Rama Bow & Arrow Craft
Make a safe bow using:
- Craft sticks
- Yarn / wool
- Paper arrow (no sharp tips)
Kids love role-play!
6️⃣ Hanuman Mace (Gada) Craft
Use paper cups + cardboard tube + foil to create a mini gada.
Perfect addition to Ramayana playtime.
7️⃣ Goddess Durga Crown Craft
Craft golden crowns with lotus designs & lion symbols.
Add a “Shakti symbol” and pom-pom jewels.
8️⃣ Paper Lotus Garland
Use pink & green construction paper for lotus flowers — symbol of purity & devotion.
Hang in prayer corner or kids’ room
9️⃣ Clay Durga & Lion Figurines
Air-dry clay or homemade salt dough works great.
Kids can paint their figures with acrylic colors.
🔟 Trishul & Chakra Craft
Create a Trishul for Durga & Chakra for Vishnu using cardboard and gold paint.
1️⃣1️⃣ Ravana Effigy (Mini Tabletop Model)
Safely make a paper effigy of Ravana.
Write 10 bad habits to burn symbolically (not real fire):
- Anger
- Greed
- Laziness
- Dishonesty
- Jealousy
… and more
Discuss good values after activity.
1️⃣2️⃣ Ram Setu Pebble Art
Paint pebbles and arrange as a mini Ram Setu bridge with a Hanuman figurine.
1️⃣3️⃣ Navratri Color Wheel Craft
Teach kids the 9 Navratri colors with a rotating wheel craft.
Great for preschoolers!
1️⃣4️⃣ Durga Face Paper Plate Craft
Use:
- Yellow plate
- Red bindi
- Wool hair
- Glitter ornaments
Add a lion cut-out beside her
1️⃣5️⃣ Dussehra Greeting Cards
Handmade cards with:
- Bow & arrow cut-outs
- Lotus art
- “Jai Mata Di” / “Jai Shri Ram” messages
1️⃣6️⃣ Mandala Rangoli Coloring
Give children printed mandala Rangoli sheets to color each day of Navratri.
calming & cultural.
1️⃣7️⃣ Devotional Music & Dance Hour
Play kids-friendly bhajans and let them dance with scarves & diyas (LED).
1️⃣8️⃣ Ramayana Puppet Show
Set a table stage + curtain cloth
Kids narrate & act scenes with puppets.
1️⃣9️⃣ “Good Habits” Garland
Cut leaf shapes → write good habits → hang as garland.
Teaches moral values.
2️⃣0️⃣ Story Corner & Mythology Books
Introduce child-safe Ramayana or Devi stories for kids.
Tell one story each night of Navratri.
2️⃣1️⃣ Clay Diya Painting
Paint diyas for prayer corner — decorate with stones & glitter.
Perfect symbolic craft.
💭 Festival Discussion Questions for Kids
- What does Navratri teach us?
- Why did Rama defeat Ravana?
- What values does Goddess Durga show?
- What does “good wins over evil” mean?
Encourage gentle conversation and curiosity.
🧠 Benefits of These Activities
- Fine motor development
- Cultural awareness
- Confidence through performance
- Family bonding
- Emotional learning through stories
Crafts make traditions meaningful and joyful for young minds.