Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is one of India’s most vibrant and beloved festivals. It honors the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who represents wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. For families, this festival is a spectacular time to come together, decorate the home, and engage in traditions that have been passed down for generations.
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In 2025, the festivities begin on Wednesday, August 27th. The celebration spans ten glorious days, culminating on Saturday, September 6th, with the grand Ganesh Visarjan, where idols are immersed in water amidst music and cheers of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!”
If you are looking to involve your little ones in the spirit of the festival, crafting is the perfect way to teach them about the history and significance of “Bappa.” Here are 21 Ganesh Chaturthi crafts and activities to make this year’s celebration unforgettable.
Understanding the Festival: A Quick Guide for Kids
Before starting the crafts, it helps to explain the “why” behind the “what.”
- The Deity: Ganesha is easily recognized by his elephant head and large belly. He loves sweets (especially modaks) and travels on a tiny mouse named Musahak.
+1 - The Tradition: We install clay idols at home to welcome Ganesha as a guest. We offer him flowers, food, and prayers before bidding him a respectful farewell during the immersion.
- The Symbolism: His large ears remind us to listen more, his small mouth suggests speaking less, and his big head symbolizes thinking big!
1. DIY Eco-Friendly Clay Ganesha
The most traditional activity is making your own idol. Using Shadu Maati (natural clay) ensures that when the idol is immersed, it dissolves back into the earth without harming the environment.
- Activity: Roll clay into spheres for the body and head. Use elongated cylinders for the trunk and limbs. It’s a fantastic sensory experience for toddlers and a great lesson in sustainability for older kids.
2. Play-Doh Ganesha for Toddlers
For younger children who find natural clay difficult to manage, Play-Doh is a colorful and easy alternative. Using bright yellows and oranges, kids can sculpt a mini Ganesha. Since Play-Doh stays soft longer, they can reshape their idol as many times as they like!
3. Handprint Ganesha Painting
Get those little hands messy! Paint a child’s palm and fingers with washable orange or yellow paint and press it onto paper. The palm becomes the face, the thumb the trunk, and the fingers the crown. Add googly eyes and a glittery “tilak” to finish the masterpiece.
4. Create a Paper Plate Ganesha
A simple paper plate can be transformed into Ganesha’s face. Paint the plate, cut out two large semi-circles for the ears, and attach a long paper strip for the trunk. This is an excellent craft for preschoolers to practice their scissor skills.
5. Decorate a “Makhar” (Ganesha’s Throne)
Every guest needs a seat! Use an old cardboard box to build a Makhar or throne. Kids can decorate it with velvet cloth, golden lace, sequins, and discarded CDs to create a sparkling backdrop for the idol.
6. DIY Paper Umbrella (Chhatri)
Ganesha is often depicted with a royal umbrella. Use a cupcake liner or a circle of bright cardstock. Attach it to a straw or a bamboo skewer and decorate the edges with beads or tassels.
7. Leaf Art Ganesha
Go on a nature walk and collect Peepal or Banyan leaves. Arrange the leaves on a piece of cardstock to form the silhouette of Ganesha. This “Green Ganesha” art is a beautiful way to connect with nature.
8. Make Edible Chocolate Modaks
Modaks are Ganesha’s favorite treat. Involve kids in the kitchen by making “no-cook” chocolate modaks using biscuit crumbs, cocoa powder, and condensed milk. Let them use the molds to press out the shapes.
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9. Pulses and Grains Rangoli
Instead of using chemical powders, create a Rangoli (floor art) using colorful lentils, rice, and beans. It’s a great way for kids to learn about different textures and patterns while keeping the house eco-friendly.
10. Ganesha Mask Making
Cut out an elephant face shape from cardstock. Let the kids color it and attach a craft stick to the bottom. They can use these masks to role-play stories from Ganesha’s childhood.
11. Origami Ganesha
For older kids who enjoy a challenge, try folding a simple Ganesha using Origami techniques. It requires patience and precision, mirroring the “wisdom” that Ganesha represents.
12. Beaded “Toran” (Door Hanging)
Welcome Ganesha (and guests) by making a Toran. String together colorful beads, felt flowers, and paper mango leaves. Hang it at the entrance of your home or the “pooja” room.
13. Fingerprint Modak Counting
Draw several modak outlines on a piece of paper. Have your child fill them in using fingerprint art. This combines art with a simple counting lesson—how many modaks can Ganesha eat?
14. Cardboard Tube Ganesha
Upcycle toilet paper or paper towel rolls! Wrap them in colored paper, add cardstock ears, and a trunk. These sturdy little statues can stand on a shelf all through the ten-day festival.
15. Ganesha Storytime and Books
Reading is a vital activity. Pick up books like “Amma, Tell Me About Ganesha!” or “Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth.” Discussing the stories helps kids understand why he has an elephant head or why he broke his tusk to finish writing the Mahabharata.
16. DIY Flower Garlands
Teach kids how to thread a needle (with supervision) to make fresh marigold garlands. The scent of fresh flowers is an integral part of the festive atmosphere.
17. Glittery “Aarti” Thali Decoration
Take a simple steel or plastic plate and decorate it with acrylic paints and mirrors. This plate can be used during the evening prayers, making the child feel like an active participant in the rituals.
18. Ganesha Jigsaw Puzzle
Draw a picture of Ganesha on a piece of cardboard, color it, and then cut it into irregular pieces. Challenge your kids to put “Bappa” back together again!
19. Pop-Up Ganesha Greeting Cards
If you are visiting friends and family, a handmade pop-up card is a lovely gift. Use a simple “V-fold” mechanism to make Ganesha “jump” out when the card is opened.
20. Mouse (Musahak) Craft
Don’t forget Ganesha’s faithful vehicle! Use a grey pom-pom, some felt ears, and a string tail to create a tiny mouse to sit at the base of the Ganesha idol.
21. Virtual Darshan & Photography
If you cannot visit the big “Pandals” in Mumbai or Pune, go on a virtual tour! Let your kids take photos of your home decorations and create a digital scrapbook of their favorite moments.
Why Celebrate with Crafts?
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of joy, inclusion, and new beginnings. When children spend time creating something with their hands—be it a clay idol or a paper garland—they form a personal connection with the culture. These activities reduce screen time, encourage “out-of-the-box” thinking, and create beautiful family memories.
As we prepare for the 2025 celebrations, remember that the most important ingredient in any craft is devotion and fun. Whether your clay Ganesha is perfectly symmetrical or a bit “wobbly,” it is the love behind it that truly counts.