Performing some traditional rituals can make Dussehra activities for kindergarten children loads of fun and something to look forward to. Dussehra or Vijayadashmi festival is considered to be one of the most auspicious and holiest Hindu festivals. It is celebrated at the end of 9 days of Navratri when the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in a river or water body. It is a day filled with fun, happiness and excitement and heralds good luck, peace and prosperity. Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil and honours the victory of Lord Rama when he slayed Ravana. It also signifies the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
Are you looking for some Dussehra activities for kindergarten kids? Then you have come to the right place.
It’s important for kids to celebrate this festival with constructive activities that help them to understand the festival better and enjoy it to the fullest. We have brought together some fun activities and Dussehra decoration ideas that will not only keep your kid occupied but also be a great learning experience about this great festival.
Why Dussehra is Important for Children
Festivals are not just about sweets, gifts, and dressing up, they are about values. Introducing your child to the significance of Dussehra celebration in preschool helps them connect with their cultural roots. It allows them to understand why good always triumphs over evil, and why kindness and honesty are qualities worth nurturing.
Through stories, art, crafts, and play-based Vijayadashami activities, children learn teamwork, creativity, and respect for traditions, skills that go beyond classrooms and help shape their character.
Also Read: The Story Of Dussehra
12 Interesting Dussehra Activities for Preschoolers
1. Making An Effigy of Ravana
Creating a miniature Ravana effigy is one of the most popular dussehra activities for preschoolers. Watching the burning of Ravana’s effigies during Dussehra is always a highlight, but making a smaller version at home allows children to participate actively. Each child can paint or decorate one of Ravana’s ten heads, encouraging teamwork and creativity. Later, you can let them “shoot” the effigy with a bow and arrow, while explaining its symbolic meaning, the destruction of negativity and the importance of good values. This Dussehra craft activity for kindergarten children is a great deal of fun and also teaches them teamwork and cooperation. Gather all family members and give them a chance to shoot the effigy. Explain to them why this activity is so significant. In some cities of India, it is possible to buy ready-made Ravana effigies which you set up for children to shoot.
2. Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to teach children. Narrating the story of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana or showing them short videos on how Dussehra is celebrated across India can keep children engaged. You can also encourage them to write or retell the story in their own words. Storytelling not only builds imagination but also ensures that children understand why Dussehra is more than just fun and games.
3. Making Rangoli
Involving children in making rangoli designs with flowers, colours, or even paper cut-outs can turn this traditional art form into a playful Dussehra activity for kindergarten kids. It instils creativity and also familiarises them with customs that invite positivity and prosperity into the home.
4. Visiting a Fair
Visiting a fair is a memorable dussehra activity for your kids. Fairs are organised all over the country during Navratri and Dussehra is the last day of this fair. Take to the neighbourhood fair where they can enjoy various cultural and traditional things which are very different from what they would usually see. They can have fun on various rides and eat different food made especially during this festival.
5. Exchanging Apta or Bauhinia Leaves
Exchanging Apta or Bauhinia leaves is one of the oldest traditions of Dussehra and involves all friends and relatives signifying values like respect and service. These leaves symbolise gold and are exchanged in the memory of great Maratha warriors who distributed gold won in wars amongst the people.
6. Making Sweets
Sweets are an integral part of any festival in India and kids can be involved in making simple sweets like kheer or shaping laddoos. This leads to a lot of excitement, and they make memories that last with them forever.
7. Packing and Giving Gifts
You can make the festival even more special by giving simple gifts like a pen or a diya or sweets to friends and relatives. Let your kids choose the gifts and they can also help you to pack them. This Dussehra activity for kids makes them feel more involved and they really enjoy the ritual of giving and receiving gifts.
8. Dressing Up in Traditional Clothes
One of the great Dussehra creative ideas to make Dussehra even more exciting and colourful is by dressing up in traditional clothes. A girl could dress up in a colourful saree or lehenga and a boy could wear a kurta pyjama or dhoti kurta. If families are from different regions, they can dress up in traditional clothes of their state and show that there’s unity in diversity.
9. Decorating a Kalash
A kalash or earthen pot is used during most pujas and for Dussehra you can ask your child to decorate the kalash. Give them different decorative materials and glue and allow them to use their imagination and creative skills and you will find that such Dussehra creative ideas make the festival more real for them.
10. Puppet Show
Puppet shows can be one of the interesting activities for dussehra in school for kids. You can organise a puppet show or make hand puppets with the help of children based on the story of the Ramayana. This Dussehra activity for kids makes it simpler for them to understand the story and they enjoy it immensely. You can also use music and other props to make it more exciting for them.
11. Perform a Ram Leela
You can help children to organise a skit based on the story of Ramayana. Explain the story to them and the role of each character. Children can pick the character they want to depict and perform this skit on the day of Dussehra. They can dress up as their character and speak a few dialogues. Further, performing ramleela can also be part of theatre activities for dussehra in school.
12. Redecorate your Kid’s Room or Corner
October is a month of festivals and celebrations with Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali coming one after the other. Most people use this time to redecorate their homes and you can make it special for your kid. You can help them to put up pictures or posters related to these festivals. This not only makes them feel excited and involved, such Dussehra decoration ideas also give them a good idea about the festival and the traditions associated with it.
Also Read: Dussehra Traditions: How Different Regions Celebrate This Victory Festival
How Parents Can Make Dussehra More Meaningful
As parents, you play a key role in making festivals special. Instead of just narrating rituals, engage your child in age-appropriate dussehra activities that blend fun with learning. Use this opportunity to:
- Teach values of kindness, truth, and bravery through stories and activities.
Encourage creativity with crafts, music, and dance. - Strengthen family bonding by celebrating traditions together.
Festivals become far more meaningful when children understand the “why” behind them.
Conclusion
After the nine festive days of Navratri, the tenth day celebrates the victory of good over evil and is called Dussehra or Vijayadashmi. Conducting these interactive and interesting Dussehra activities for children add more excitement and charm to the celebrations. In this article, we have provided information regarding 12 Dussehra activities for kids that can be conducted at school and home. Dussehra or Vijayadashami is not just a festival; it is a celebration of values. With these interactive and creative dussehra activities for preschoolers, children can experience the joy of traditions while learning important life lessons. Whether it’s making crafts, listening to stories, or performing skits, these experiences create lifelong memories.
It is not only a very auspicious festival; it also is the perfect way to teach your children new things and develop a better understanding of the festival and its traditions. It not only keeps them involved in the festive celebrations, it also is an extremely constructive way to keep them occupied and is a great learning experience. If you are looking for more ideas on how to keep your kids busy during Dussehra with exciting and fun activities, do visit the EuroKids website for a whole range of them.
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your newborn-toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognized preschools, EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
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