Ganesh Chaturthi with Kids
Festivals in India are the most important occasions when we come close to our family and traditions. We get to spend time with each other, cook food for all, sit together and pray to God for the well being of our family and friends. As we all are ready for the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi here I am sharing my thoughts on the same.
Indian rituals and festivals play a significant role in a family. It teaches family values, culture, keeps the mythology alive, and spreads the love.
As a mother, I personally feel that it’s important for kids to know various aspect of life including religion , rituals and its values. Exposing them towards rituals and festivals from early childhood will make a huge difference. Kids are enthusiastic about the festival celebration at home as they get to hear mysterious mythological stories and come more closer to our culture. The learning’s and knowledge of festivals, religion and culture makes kids more aware and empathetic towards humanity and nation.
In schools and at home we teach a child about the greatness of our nation Unity and Diversity. Our Great nation India is a land of multicultural and multi-religious values. We celebrate festivals like Diwali, Holi, Sivaratri, Raksha Bandhan, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Muharram, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Zuha, Vasant Panchami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Pongal .
Each festival and religion teach us to spread love and equality. As I belong to Hindu family I have seen my mom performing all rituals and celebrating festivals at home.
Today, on the occasion of upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi I am sharing rituals that we can follow at home to bring our kids close to our religion. I respect each festival and I take my kids out to places where different religion celebrate their festivals to show them a new culture and taste new food.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration and learning from each step.
1.Involve kids in making a Ganesha’s Eco-friendly idol.
Kids love preparing small sculptures or articles from mud. I am sure you will agree that even we had played in mud in our childhood.
We can make a small Ganesha Idol using Play dough, Try to keep the size as small as possible so that immersion could be easy for kids.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Last year we prepared Ganesha Idol from Dough and Kids colored it beautifully. Ganesha is the best friend and is a lord of wisdom. Kids enjoyed making Ganesha Idol and the creativity they put in the same is just lovely.
Learning from Step 1 :
Ganeshji’s body is a half elephant and half human. It symbolizes the strength and wisdom, Each body part signifies its value Like big ears teaches us to be a good listener etc.
2.Involve kids in Decoration and creativity –
My daughter loves doing flower decoration and making Rangoli. I take her help in all the festivals for decoration and she love this activity.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
She just needs a reason of making Rangoli at home. It’s been three years she does Rangoli on almost all the festivals. I always keep the stock of eco friendly rangoli colors.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
I leave entire planning and implementation on her this time and she beautifully does the Rangoli and the flower decoration comes out to be just perfect. Her face shines when we all praise her work.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Learning from Step 2:
This helps kids learn the value of cleanliness before Puja, We decorate flowers as they are a gift of mother nature and Flowers bring positivity and freshness to the ambiance. So Plant more trees to continue getting these lovely gifts from Mother Nature.
3.Involve kids in making Sweets and Food:
Ganesha loves Ladoo or Modaks. I remember before starting anything new my mom use to make Ladoos for Ganeshji on Ganesh Chaturthi. I do prepare Besan ladoo at home on Ganesh Chaturthi. I try to involve my daughter in this step as well, I keep everything ready and while making balls of Ladoo I involve my daughter which she loves doing.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Kids from neighborhood planned a small sweet and food stall for all the devotees.They collected money from individual and arranged a lovely feast for all.
Learning from Step 3.
Kids will learn Importance of getting together, planning and teamwork from this step. A sense of responsibility is evident from their faces. The importance of vegan food in our lives.
4.Tell them story of Ganesha
This is such a lovely part we all love – Storytelling.
There are 100s of stories related to Lord Ganesh. The most important for the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi is the Birth story of Lord Ganesha.
Story – One Day Devi Parvati Mother of Lord Ganesha was going for a bath. She made one doll from turmeric and gave life to this doll.
As there was no trustworthy around to guard her she asked this Doll to guard and no let no one come inside. Lord Shiva Came and wanted to enter the House.
Ganesha and Lord Shiva husband of Parvati didn’t know each other.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
So Ganesha stopped Lord Shiva to enter the house. Lord Shiva became angry and he beheaded Ganesha. After seeing Goddess Parvati in morning and bereaved state.
Lord Shiva kept ahead of an elephant on the human body of Ganesha. Gave life and blessed Ganesha with wisdom and power.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Learning from Step 4:
Kids love listing to stories they learn values and morals of life very quickly from a story. By telling them the story of Lord Ganesha we help them understand the value of occasion.
5. Bring books of Ganesha for kids:
There are many holy books available with pictures in our religion. I use to love reading them in my childhood. Now the time has changed. Kids may not read religious books they need more interactive books now.
Few names of such interactive reading material for kids I am sharing here which You can order online
Amar Chitra Katha
Favourite Tales – Ganesha
Ganesh from Vedanta Press
Ganesha from Little Heroes series by Tapasi De
Learning of Step 5:
Kids love reading and exploring themselves. This helps to enhance their reading habits.
6. Fancy Dress Competition:
Moms from the neighbourhood can organize a small fancy dress event cum competition on the occasion of Ganesha Chathurthi. Where you can choose characters from Ganeshji’s life and dress up the kids accordingly. So kids can dress up like Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Brother Kartikeya.
Learning from step 6:
Dressing up and role play is an amazing activities toddlers love to do it. It gives a confidence and motivations to perform in front of a crowd.
7. Involve Kids in Aarti and Prasad distribution:
Every evening for 10 days or 5 days we all do Aarti together. We praise Lord Ganesha and Chant and Sing his bhajans. We pray for the well-being and happiness. During Aarti, we offer food, sweets, water, clothes and flowers to our deity.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
My grandmother taught us to lit the lamp before beginning the Arti, she use to say this brings the power to the Jyoti
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Aarti is the Expression of love, benevolence, gratitude, and prayers. We thank our God and goddess for this life and his divine kindness. Aarti is done at the end of all Rituals in Puja. Knowingly or unknowingly if we had done a mistakein performing rituals we apologies to God in Aarti.
After Aarti, we all take blessings from the divine Jyoti and Mom use to distribute yummy modaks and Prasad.
Learning from Step 7:
The Aarti and Prasad distribution is a time when Entire family and friends come together. This one time is so special, It helps to inculcate the value of discipline among kids to perform every ritual. And above all enjoy yummy Prasad.
8. Involve kids in Ganpati Visarjan:
Once I asked my mother why do we perform Ganesha Visarjan. She explained me we bring Ganesh ji home we pray and perform a ritual to seek blessings in the form of an idol. But, As we all know God is formless so we immerse idols in water to release God again become Formless and Lord Ganesha then goes back to Kailash.
Ways to involve kids in the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
Many People keeps Ganpati for 10 days and take the idol from homes with the procession and immersed in water in nearby lakes, river or sea. Well, we immerse in a clean tub filled with water and then we use the same water for our plants at home.
Learning from step 8:
It teaches everything in life has a cycle. Each phase has to end and then a new phase will begin.
9. Movies or cartoons based on Ganesha’s life on this Ganesh Chaturthi:
You can play movies for children at home based on Ganesha. This is again an interactive way of learning. Kids grasp quickly from an audiovisual mode of learning.
Sharing few movie names here.
My friend Ganesha part 1, 2 and 3
Bal Ganesh
Atithi Kab Jaoge.
Learning from Step 9:
Kids love watching and memorizing. Audio visual aid helps them understand better.
These are the 9 steps you can plan a celebration at your home with your kids. Do share your thoughts and ways to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi or other festivals with us.
We would love to hear your way of celebrating festivals please do comment below.
Happy Ganesha Festival!
May Lord Ganesha Bring prosperity and happiness to each one of you.
Ganpatti Bappa Morya!
Want to know more about Ganesh Chaturthi read here
Related Posts
Reasons – Why Is Everyone Talking About Early Childhood toys ?
Newborn babycare during Monsoon and some useful tips for Moms.
Story -Motherhood celebration for Life.
5 Tricks That Worked For Me In Helping My Baby Get Diaper-Free!
Signs That Told Me My Baby Is Becoming a Toddler
A decade of family shopping & ten reasons to continue shopping at Shoppers Stop.
Mom’s Journey – Mrs. Raizy Bedi Founder & CEO Magicka.
Those Extra Kilos !!
Wen Eva I hear ganesh chathurthi..I remenber two things.. Ladoo and ganesh vosarjan…….dat scenario of visarjan..is really memorable….
That chotu sa Ganesh idol is so cute! ???? I’ll teach my cousin. Would be fun! Thanks for sharing!
Such wonderful tips. Kids really want to be a part of celebrations and we should let them be by delegating them small tasks. It helps them making more responsible and sensible.
The Baal Ganesh looks very adorable. I liked how you combined teachable moment with the activity. Festivals are the perfect time to teach them about our culture.
We don’t celebrate this festival at home per say but are involved in all the activities in our society…. The kids together help with decorating, distributing sweets, and all celebrations… Loved this post.. Makes me want to start the celebrations right away
So nice that you are teaching them the eco friendly way. We need more moms doing so ????
This is a beautiful post. My kids are insisting that we keep the ganpati this year. Your post is so helpful in terms of the routine, decorations and everything else.
There are so many ways to get kids involved. They not only learn about the festival but its significance and importance.
I just love this festival of ganesh chaturthi. And I just live the way you penned down so many tips for making this festival important for kids too. This way kids gonna learn the real meaning and importance of this fest. Will try some of these tips with my kids too.
Beautiful illustrations. Clay Ganpati idol is the cutest.I need to get some books now for my toddler. Thanks!
With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner these ideas are extremely useful equally for the adults and spreading festive spirit all around!
we love to read together ,,,flower rangoli is a nice idea will try out this time
Beautiful post
Mentions all the nitty gritty of Ganesh Puja festivities I love how you shared the tips on how to involve kids in the occasion and with rituals.
That clay made little Ganesha is too cute. Lmust say that such activities interests kids as well as adults
I totally agree with you my dear and tru to imbibe and engage my kiddo in all these celebrations too. It makes it all so much fun and with a deeper meaning.
I’ve never heard of this. All kinds of fun!!!
These are some great activities to get kids involved!
I love the clay Ganeshji! Too cute!
This post is so cute and full of learning love the games ji idol you make with clay and modak indeed your kids enjoyed a lot
getting kids involved in preparation of fests like ganesh chaturthi not only gives them more knowledge about the fest but also improves their management skills since childhood
These are great ways to include children and could be adapted for any religion or holiday!!!
It’s very important to have kids involved in festival celebrations…. that’s how they stay rooted to their culture… loved the points you have mentioned.
I agree with you.. involving kids in the festival works is a great thing.. good that your daughter loves doing all these! ❤
These activities look so much fun!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
I personally enjoy experiencing other cultures. I like the food, the celebrations, etc. I’m a bit more closed minded with my children.
I really love the idea. I appreciate the detailed post on not just what to do, but also how to do it!!
What I great idea! This isn’t something that I’m familiar but I loved reading more about your culture!
I love your ideas especially letting her do the decor ! So sweet!!!
This teaches those who may not know everything about this culturally, so much. Im glad i get to know more about the traditions because i have never fully understood the elephant. I know this is ideas for kids lol, but iy helped me know more 🙂
Such an interesting post, I engaged my kid in making yellow Laddu’s and now shall work upon with Clay Idol. Loved these ideas.
Amazing post! I love celebrating – especially celebrating with kids.
The innocence they have is truly amazing – I love watching the, learn and enjoy traditions and holidays.
Wow, there are so many lovely elements to this tradition. I loved the playdoh idol and anything that has to do with baking would be my favorite part. Thank you for sharing this tradition and all the elements to this celebration
These are some great ideas. I don’t live in India but I do have a number of Indian children in my care at work so will be using some of these ideas at work!
I liked the post and the learning shared in this are amazing.
Ganpati is such an amazing festival. This is a beautiful idol and so well crafted.
Beautiful thoughts. Festivals have so much take home from. The ganesh idol is beautifully made.
Great ideas to teach children responsibility and fun. We too involve our kids in festive preparation and that makes them aware
What cute Ganesha you have made using clay…lovely post compiling ideas. It is important to cultivate and keep alive the rituals in our kids.
Hope you and your family have a lovely festival
Very good and interesting g tips of getting kids involved in festivities. No doubt they will learn a lot.
It is very nice to teach kids the importance of your festivals. My mil narrate the story behind every festival to my kids.
If your little one has just come into the world, this is the best time to get inspired by the Elephant God.
These are some great ways to keep kids engaged during Ganpati celebrations 🙂
loved the play doh Ganesha So cute and involving them is the best way to make them learn and also enjoy that is what festivals are meant for
I was never really into the worship thing but I enjoyed the festive vibes.. making eco friendly idols.. rangoli, decoration, listening to stories.. it is all so amazing!
This is such a wonderful post.. I am so glad I stumbled upon it and read it at the right time.. we do Ganesh Pooja at home and I will definitely follow these
Excellent tips to engage kids as well as teach them about the festival. As our families get nuclear, it is all the more important to make the kids involved and teach them about various festivals
With the festival arriving soon, these are great tips on involving the little ones! After all, that’s how they will learn about the festival too
My kids already preparing fun to be Ganesha and they are going to be busy these 10 days with bappa ..your post gives me more ideas to be involved.
Kids love doing rangoli with me. These are some great ideas to engage kids. While they do creative things, at the same time, they learn our traditions and culture
Interesting ideas. Involving kids in activities as making ladoos, decoration, making eco friendly idols, not only keep them engaged but are also perfect to ignite their creative skills.
I too believe in involving kids in every occasion and informing them about the reason behind it through stories. Ganesh Chaturthi is especially exciting for children for the long festivities, activities, pandal visits and yummy food.
Wow that’s such a nice way to include kids in our celebration, slowly they would learn many good things
These are some nice tips to involve the kids. I too include my daughter in decorations, aatri, Prasad distribution. Kids feel great when they are praised.
These are some amazing ideas to involve kids in Ganesh chaturthi celebrations! Making dough idol, rangoli, home decor! They would love it!
Kids enjoy decorating and Prasad distribution. I’m sure these activities will keep them super engaged in Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations!
I dint know anything about this fest thanks for sharing you explained it so well and those sweets are mouth watering.
This is really a nice tips to celebrate the festivals.. Story telling is really a great and unique idea..
Wow, the DIY Ganapati is looking super cute. It is always great to involve kids into celebration preparations, decorations ,etc.
This is a really amazing article. Recently, my younger son also tried to make a statue of Lord Ganesha out of moulding clay and I would admit, it turned out pretty great!
“Oh My friend Ganesha, tum rehna saath humesha”. That was my favourite childhood movie and I still love watching it. These are great ways of involving your kids into the celebrations.
Amazing post loved each and every point mentioned, now I know exactly how to keep the kids engaged this Ganesh Chaturthi.
Wow such a well researched article. I loved your style of writing. Of course I didn’t know the stories behind the festival. Thanks for this beautiful piece
Ganesh-chaturthi is just round the corner with all the festivities. And the best part is involving our kids with the arenagements and decor. Great way for them to learn about the importance of this festival.
I believe that kid loves Ganesha and love to listen the story. You have shared some helpful and engaging activities for kids.
Ganesha is every kids friend and saanjh my baby just loves her gannu friend ..
beautiful post