Ganesh Chaturthi is one of India’s most loved festivals, celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha—the god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings. Families come together to worship the beloved elephant-headed deity with devotion, sweets, decorations, and joyful rituals. For children, this festival becomes even more magical when they participate in hands-on activities and creative crafts that help them understand the cultural significance of the occasion.

If you are planning to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home this year, engaging your kids in meaningful activities is a wonderful way to build memories, teach traditions, and allow them to express their creativity. Here is a complete list of 21 Ganesh Chaturthi crafts and activities for children, along with tips, festival ideas, and ways to keep the celebration eco-friendly.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival usually spans ten days, beginning with the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and community pandals. Each day includes prayers, aarti, devotional songs, and offerings of sweets—especially the beloved modak. On the final day, the idol is immersed in water, symbolizing Ganesha’s return to Kailash while taking away the devotees’ obstacles and sorrows.

When Is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025?

In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated in September (exact date will follow the Hindu lunar calendar). As always, the festivities will continue for ten days, ending with the grand visarjan.

How Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated at Home?

Families welcome Lord Ganesha with beautifully decorated platforms, flowers, fairy lights, and traditional motifs. Daily rituals include offering flowers, lighting diyas, singing aarti, and cooking sweets like modak and laddoo. Many families also choose to celebrate a “Green Ganesh Chaturthi,” using clay idols and natural decorations to protect the environment.

Children especially enjoy the creative side of the festival—making decorations, preparing sweets with guidance, drawing rangolis, or helping prepare Ganesha’s throne.

21 Ganesh Chaturthi Crafts & Activities for Kids

Below is a curated list of fun, easy, and safe activities that children can enjoy during the festival.

1. DIY Clay Ganesha

A handmade clay Ganesha is the most meaningful craft for this festival. All you need is natural clay or homemade dough. Kids can shape a small idol while learning about Ganesha’s symbolism—his big ears, the modak in his hand, and the mouse at his feet.

2. Play-Dough Ganesha for Younger Kids

If clay is too complex, soft dough is perfect for toddlers. Let them roll shapes, press patterns, and decorate their little Ganesha with beads or grains.

3. Make a Ganesha Throne (Singhasan)

Use cardboard, paper, fabric scraps, or small wooden blocks. Kids can design a royal seat using colors, glitter, and traditional motifs like lotus petals.

4. DIY Parasol/Umbrella for Ganesha

A decorated paper plate or paper bowl can become a cute umbrella. Add lace, stickers, or sequins for a festive feel.

5. Handmade Background Decoration Panels

Children can create wall backdrops using chart paper, silk-like paper, fairy lights, or handprints. Lotus and peacock motifs make great additions.

6. Eco-Friendly Ganesha Garland

Use leaves, flowers, paper cutouts, or fabric scraps. It promotes sustainability and teaches kids the value of natural materials.

7. DIY Aarti Plate

Using a plain steel or thermocol plate, children can decorate it with colors, mirrors, and beads. Keep it simple and child-safe.

8. Coconut Ladoo Making Activity

With adult supervision, kids can help mix coconut, condensed milk, or jaggery. Rolling the laddoos into small balls becomes a fun sensory activity.

9. Modak Making for Older Kids

Teach them to shape steamed or fried modaks. Even if the shapes are imperfect, the joy of learning is priceless.

10. Rangoli Coloring SheetsIf making rangoli on the floor is difficult, give kids printed rangoli outlines. They can color them using crayons or watercolors.

11. Flower Rangoli for Beginners

Help children arrange petals, leaves, and small marigolds in simple patterns. This natural activity improves fine motor skills.

12. Paper Modak Garland

Cut paper shapes of modaks and string them together. Hang them near the puja area for a handmade festive touch.

13. Finger-Painting Ganesha Art

Kids dip their fingers in paint and create simple Ganesha outlines. This makes a beautiful keepsake for the year.

14. Popsicle Stick Ganesha Face

Arrange popsicle sticks as a base and paste paper cutouts of Ganesha’s features. It’s easy, colorful, and engaging

15. Ganesha Bookmark Craft

Cut thick paper into a bookmark shape and decorate it with Ganesha symbols—like the mouse, modak, or his trunk.

16. DIY Temple Bells

Make mini bells using paper cups, aluminum foil, ribbon, and beads. Hang them around the puja corner.

17. Nature Collage Ganesha

Collect leaves, twigs, seeds, and petals. Children can arrange them in the shape of Ganesha for a beautiful eco-art piece.

18. Paper Plate Ganesha Mask

Using a basic paper plate, kids draw and paste Ganesha’s trunk, ears, and crown. This can also be used for storytelling.

19. Storytelling Session about Lord Ganesha

Narrate simple Ganesha stories—his birth, his wisdom, and why he loves modaks. Kids love interactive festival stories.

20. Ganesha Memory Box Craft

Decorate an old cardboard box with paint, pulses, grains, stickers, or artwork. Kids can fill it with sweets or small gifts for family.

21. Eco-Friendly Visarjan in a Bucket

For home idols made of clay, children can participate in a symbolic visarjan in a bucket. Allow the clay to dissolve naturally and use it for plants.

This activity teaches respect for nature and the meaning behind the ritual.

Keeping Ganesh Chaturthi Eco-Friendly

A child-friendly festival also needs to be Earth-friendly. You can promote a green celebration by:

• Choosing clay, paper, or homemade idols
  
• Using natural flowers and organic colors
  
• Avoiding plastic decorations
  
• Composting flower waste
  
• Reusing cardboard crafts for next year
  
• Encouraging kids to learn about environmental protection
  

When children participate in an eco-conscious celebration, they feel connected to both culture and nature.

Final Thoughts

Ganesh Chaturthi is not only about rituals—it is about joy, creativity, family bonding, and teaching children the stories that form the heart of Indian culture. These 21 crafts and activities transform your home into a vibrant, happy, child-friendly celebration while keeping traditions alive. Whether your child is shaping their first clay Ganesha or helping decorate the aarti plate, each moment becomes a cherished memory.

You can try one activity each day of the 10-day festival or mix multiple crafts over the weekend. The goal is to let children explore, create, and enjoy the beauty of Ganesh Chaturthi.