Navratri is a vibrant festival that brings joy and excitement into our homes. It’s a great time to introduce your preschooler to Indian traditions and culture in a fun and engaging way. Here are some creative activities to make this Navratri special for your little ones:

1. Create a Mini Dandiya Dance
• What you need: Colorful sticks or even kitchen spoons.
• Activity: Teach your preschooler simple dandiya steps or just let them enjoy rhythmic dancing to traditional Navratri music. This helps with coordination and rhythm, while introducing them to the dance culture of Navratri.
2. Navratri-Themed Craft
• What you need: Colored paper, glue, scissors (with adult supervision), paints, and stickers.
• Activity: Have your child make their own dandiya sticks by decorating them with bright colors, or create a paper garba pot. Let them use stickers and other craft supplies to decorate their creations. This activity enhances their fine motor skills and creativity.
3. Dress-Up and Role Play
• What you need: Traditional attire like lehengas, kurtas, dupattas, or even scarves.
• Activity: Dress up your child in traditional Navratri attire and let them pretend-play as their favorite characters from Navratri stories or folk tales. You can tell them stories of Goddess Durga to make the experience more enriching.
4. Cooking Together: Healthy Festive Snacks
• What you need: Ingredients for simple dishes like sabudana khichdi, fruit salad, or coconut laddoos.
• Activity: Involve your preschooler in making simple festive foods. Let them mix ingredients or shape small laddoos. Cooking together builds bonding and teaches basic skills like counting and measuring.
5. Story Time: Legends of Navratri
• What you need: Picture books or short stories about Navratri.
• Activity: Share age-appropriate stories about Goddess Durga, the nine avatars, and the significance of Navratri. You can act out the stories with puppets or toys to make them more engaging for your preschooler.
6. Coloring Festive Pictures
• What you need: Navratri-themed coloring pages, crayons, and markers.
• Activity: Print out coloring pages with images related to Navratri, such as the Goddess, dandiya dancers, or garba scenes. Coloring is not only a fun activity, but also helps with hand-eye coordination.
7. Make a Festive Puja Thali
• What you need: A simple plate, flowers, diya, kumkum, rice, and any other items used for puja.
• Activity: Allow your child to help prepare a small puja thali. They can decorate the plate with flowers or arrange items like diyas and kumkum. This is a great way to teach them about the rituals and symbolism of Navratri in a hands-on way.
8. Navratri Songs and Rhymes
• What you need: Music player or just your voice!
• Activity: Sing traditional Navratri songs or bhajans with your child. You can even create simple rhymes about the nine nights of Navratri. Music helps with language development and creates a joyful atmosphere.

By engaging in these activities, you not only introduce your preschooler to the spirit of Navratri but also foster their creativity, motor skills, and cultural understanding. This festive season, create meaningful memories with your child while celebrating at home.

Lalit Sharma,
Founder

Li’l Miracles International Preschool