In India, we have a plethora of festivals. Grand occasions that are celebrated by everyone, regardless of their caste or creed. Onam is a festival celebrated in Kerala. This festival is celebrated to welcome their king, Mahabali. It is believed that he makes an annual visit to Kerala during the Onam period. Onam is also regarded as the major Harvest Festival, and the celebrations last for 10 days. However, most preschools in India host an array of Onam activities on Thiruvonam. In this blog, we will explore Onam activities for preschoolers. However, before that, let’s take a closer look at Onam.
What is Onam, and how is it celebrated?
Onam is an annual festival celebrated in Kerala, typically falling in August or September. It commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali, who, according to mythology, visits Kerala once a year. The festival also marks the beginning of the Malayalam calendar year (Chingam month).
Onam is celebrated over 10 days, with the most important day being Thiruvonam. Here’s how people typically celebrate:
- Preparing an intricate flower arrangement at the entrance of homes using fresh flowers.
- Curating a grand Onam sadya with dishes like Avial, Sambar, Rasam, Ellissery, Payasam, and Banana Chips.
- Dressing up in a Kasavu saree and Mundu and visiting the temple.
- Going for a Vallam Kali or boat race competition.
Read More – Famous Festivals in India during Monsoon
7 Fun Onam Activities for Preschoolers
The best part of Onam, undoubtedly, is seeing people come together and children taking part in the celebrations. Preschools in India, especially in the southern states, often host Onam activities for their students, including flower rangoli competitions, elephant decoration, and other events. Here, we have listed seven Onam celebration ideas for preschools in Chennai, Kochi, and other cities in southern India.
1. Making a Flower Rangoli (Athapookalam)
When looking for Onam celebration ideas, what could be better than a Pookalam? Flower rangoli is a creative and traditional Onam activity for students.
Both flowers and flower petals are required to make an Athapookalam. Keralites usually start by making a Flower Rangoli with a single ring, on the very first day of the festival.
To do: You can assign your children the task of choosing different flowers and even separating the petals from the flower buds. Furthermore, you can involve them by asking for their help in making the flower rangoli.
2. Watching The Boat Racing
Watching the boat race can be a great way for preschoolers to celebrate Onam. You can watch a boat race on television on DD Bharati or Star Sports Network. Meanwhile, you can catch the live stream of Vellam Kali 2025 on the YouTube channels of Kerala Tourism.
To Do: The truly best thing about Onam is the fun celebrations that take place this season. Right at the top of the list is Boat Racing. Preschoolers will certainly delight in watching the Boat Race during Onam!
3. Decorating Elephants
Did you know that elephants are decorated in Kerala? During the festival of Onam, these beautiful creatures are decorated with Nettipattam. In case you’re wondering what that is, it is a gold-plated ornament that is worn on the forehead.
To do: Take an elephant toy or showpiece, and let the nursery and senior kg. Kids decorate it to the best of their abilities. Alternatively, you could get them to draw and decorate an elephant sketch, using different colours and beads. This activity is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime! Moreover, decorating the elephants can be integrated into eco-friendly lessons during Onam activities for students.
4. Reading a Book
Reading books is a great way to learn about various cultures and festivals, including Onam. Several books will help children get into the festive mood of Onam. It is also one of the best Onam celebration ideas for playgroup kids.
To Do: We recommend that you pick ‘Celebrate Onam with Me! (From The Toddler Diaries)’ by Shoumi Sen. Children will delight in travelling to God’s Own Country with the young protagonist Riya, and learning how and why we celebrate Onam. Packed with things like enchanting Snake Boat Races, reading this book is a surefire way to bring the festival of Onam to life for kids.
5. Enjoying Onam Sadhya: A Cherished Meal from Kerala
No festival in India is complete without its special food. For Malayali people, the Onam Sadhya is a meal of special significance. Onam celebration activities are simply incomplete without your kids partaking in this sumptuous festive fare. Therefore, organising an Onam Sadhya is one of the interesting Onam celebration ideas in school.
To Do: Get your children to enjoy the traditional Onam feast, the traditional way! To start with, they need to be seated on mats with their legs crossed. They must then eat with their right hands, without using cutlery. The 24 to 28 dishes that this meal comprises will have them smacking their lips in satisfaction!
6. DIY Tiger Mask (Pulikali Mask)
- The tiger holds great significance in the celebrations of Onam. This Onam, why don’t you get your child involved in creating their own Tiger Mask?
What you need:- Paper paint
- Glue
- Rubber Band
- Water Colours
- Craft Knife
- Scissors
- To Do:
- Paint the paper plate in orange, and let it dry completely. Then, draw a rough outline of the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Use black paint to highlight the eyes and nose, and white paint for the space inside the eyes.
- Use red paint for the tongue. Draw the tiger ears on another plate and cut them out. Then, paste them onto the tiger’s face.
- Use white paint to draw white stripes on the face. When the paint is dry, cut out the inside portion of the eyes using the craft knife. Make a small hole on both sides of the face. Finally, tie a rubber band through the holes.
- Your tiger is ready to roar! Bring on the tiger and let children dance with energy while conducting Onam activities for students.
7. Dressing Up as Mahabali
The Onam celebration is incomplete without remembering King Mahabali, the beloved ruler believed to visit his people during the festival. For preschoolers, dressing up as Mahabali can be a fun way to learn about the tradition while enjoying role play.
To do: For this Onam activity, provide kids with simple costumes such as a white dhoti/mundu (or a piece of white cloth securely wrapped), a glitter-decorated paper crown, and a cardboard umbrella or staff. Teachers can narrate the story of King Mahabali in a child-friendly way while the children, dressed as him, parade around the class.
Read More – Explore Harvest Festivals in India
How is Onam Celebrated at EuroKids?
At EuroKids, festivals are celebrated as opportunities for children to explore India’s diverse traditions through joyful learning experiences. During Onam, classrooms come alive with colourful Pookalams, traditional music, storytelling sessions, creative art activities, and festive games.
Children participate in activities such as making flower rangolis, creating Tiger masks, dressing up as King Mahabali, and learning about Kerala’s rich culture through interactive storytelling. These celebrations encourage creativity, teamwork, respect for diversity, and cultural awareness while making learning enjoyable.
Conclusion
Onam is a celebration of gratitude, kindness, family, and togetherness. Through simple hands-on activities like creating Pookalams, listening to stories, making crafts, and enjoying traditional food, preschoolers can develop a deeper appreciation for India’s rich cultural heritage while building creativity, communication, and social skills.
You don’t have to be a Malayali to celebrate Onam or participate in these Onam activities! At EuroKids, we believe that when children celebrate different festivals, they connect with kids from different backgrounds and learn the importance of friendship and togetherness. Festivals are indeed special days, celebrating tradition and heritage with happiness and harmony.
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your newborn or toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognised preschools- EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can you celebrate Onam at home?
Celebrate Onam by making floral pookalams, wearing Kasavu sarees or Mundus, and preparing the grand Onasadya feast on banana leaves.
Popular Onam activities or games include Vallamkali (boat race), Pulikali (tiger dance), Thumbi Thullal (folk dance), Onathallu (tug of war), Kutukutu (coconut breaking), Onappookkalam (flower rangoli), and Talappanthukali (ball game).
What are the must-have dishes in an Onam feast?
Onasadya features delicacies such as banana chips, sharkaravaratti, pappadam, thoran, injipuli, kaalan, mezhukkupuratti, and kichadi.
