Navratri is full of colour, music, stories, traditions and celebrations, which makes it a wonderful festival to experience with children.
But for young children, simply being told what Navratri is may not mean very much. Let them see it, make it, listen to it, dance to it and be part of it.
Here are nine simple Navratri activities that can help children connect with the festival in a fun and memorable way.
1. Tell Them the Story of Durga and Mahishasura
Start with the story behind Navratri.
Tell children how Mahishasura had become very powerful and caused trouble for the gods. To defeat him, the divine energies of the gods came together to create Maa Durga. After a fierce battle, Durga defeated Mahishasura, marking the triumph of good over evil.
You don't need to tell the entire story in one sitting. Keep it simple, use expressive voices and let children ask questions.
Try this: Ask your child, “What do you think made Durga brave?” It can turn a familiar story into a little conversation.
2. Discover One Form of Maa Durga Each Day
Navratri is associated with nine forms of Maa Durga, known as the Navadurga.
Make each day a little discovery. Introduce your child to one form, show them a picture, tell them something about her story and talk about the quality she represents.
For example:
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Shailaputri — strength and stability
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Brahmacharini — patience and determination
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Chandraghanta — courage and peace
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Kushmanda — energy and creativity
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Skandamata — nurturing and compassion
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Katyayani — courage and strength
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Kaalratri — protection
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Mahagauri — peace and purity
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Siddhidatri — wisdom and fulfilment
By the end of the nine days, your child will have met all nine forms.
3. Make a Durga-Inspired Craft
Give children a chance to create their own version of Maa Durga.
Depending on their age, they could draw her, make a paper crown, create a lion mask or use coloured paper to make a simple Durga-inspired artwork.
The fun is in letting children explore the colours, shapes and symbols they have seen during Navratri.
For younger children: Try a simple colouring sheet or handprint craft.
For older children: Encourage them to draw Durga and add the qualities they associate with her around the picture.
4. Make a Rangoli Together
Rangoli is an easy way to bring children into the festive preparations.
Keep the design simple and let your child choose the colours. Younger children can fill in a pre-drawn pattern, while older ones can create their own designs.
You could even make a small rangoli using flower petals, coloured rice or safe, washable colours.
Make it a little more fun: Ask your child to choose nine colours: one for each day of Navratri.
5. Listen to an Aarti Together
Music and prayer can be one of the simplest ways for children to experience the atmosphere of Navratri.
Play a familiar aarti, mantra or bhajan during your family prayer time and encourage children to listen, sing along or simply join in.
WonderBuddy's Let's Sing for Our Gods musical book is one way to introduce little ones to familiar mantras, aartis and bhajans through sound and repetition.
Sometimes, simply hearing a prayer again and again is how a familiar tradition begins.
6. Dress Up in the Navratri Colour of the Day
Navratri colours give children an easy way to participate in the festival.
Choose the colour for the day and let your child pick what they want to wear: a dress, kurta, T-shirt, hairband or even a small accessory.
You can make it a little more interactive by telling them the colour before getting dressed and asking them to spot other people wearing the same colour when you're out.
It turns getting dressed into part of the celebration.
7. Visit a Navratri Pandal or Celebration
If your neighbourhood has a Navratri pandal, community celebration or decorated temple, take your child along to see it.
Let them notice the decorations, idols, flowers, lights, music and people coming together.
Give them the freedom to look around and ask questions.
Try asking: “What did you notice first?” or “What was your favourite part?”
These small observations can become wonderful memories of the festival.
8. Try Some Simple Garba or Dandiya
Put on some Garba music and teach your child a few simple movements. Clap, turn, step from side to side or try a basic dandiya rhythm together.
For younger children, let them simply move to the music.
The point is to let them experience the joy and energy that make Navratri so special.
9. Create a Little Family Navratri Corner
Set aside a small space at home for the nine days of Navratri.
It could have a picture of Maa Durga, flowers, a diya, a child's artwork, a small rangoli or anything meaningful to your family.
Let your child help decide what goes there and add something new each day.
You could also keep a little “Navratri memories” activity going throughout the festival: one drawing, photo, flower, word or thought from each day.
By the end of Navratri, you'll have a little collection of memories that your child helped create.
Nine Days. Nine Little Ways to Celebrate.
A story at bedtime. A diya during family prayer. Nine colours. A rangoli on the floor. A few Garba steps in the living room. An aarti they begin to recognise.
Navratri gives families nine days to slow down, celebrate and create traditions together.
Tell a story. Make something. Listen together. Dance a little. Celebrate what you already do as a family.
Sometimes, that's more than enough to make a festival meaningful.
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