Children’s Day activities for kids: 20 fun ideas for 14 November

Festivals · 4 minute read · Ages 3 to 10 · Updated 1 Nov 2026

Every year on 14 November India celebrates Children’s Day, or Bal Diwas — the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, who loved children and was fondly called “Chacha Nehru”.

It is the one day of the year that is all about children. Here are 20 simple ideas to make it special, at home or in class, with almost nothing to buy.

1. Why we celebrate on 14 November

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889. After he passed away in 1964, his birthday became Children’s Day in India, to honour his belief that children are the future of the country and need good schooling, care and play. (The United Nations marks a separate Universal Children’s Day on 20 November.)

2. Crafts (ages 3–10)

1. Paper rose, like Nehru’s

Nehru always wore a red rose on his coat. Cut a red paper strip, roll it loosely into a spiral, glue the end and stick it on a green paper leaf. Pin it on a shirt for the day.

2. Nehru topi from newspaper

Fold a newspaper sheet like a paper boat, stop before the last step, and you have the white cap Nehru wore. Colour it or leave it white.

3. “All about me” poster

On an A4 sheet: a self-portrait, favourite food, favourite colour, best friend and “when I grow up I want to be…”. Stick it on the fridge.

4. Handprint flag or flower

Little ones press painted handprints in saffron, white and green, or make a handprint flower bunch. Great for ages 2–4.

5. Paper-plate faces of feelings

Draw happy, sad, angry and surprised faces on paper plates. Ask “when do you feel like this?” A gentle way to talk about feelings.

6. Dream jar

Each child writes or draws one wish on a slip and drops it in a decorated jar. Open the jar next Children’s Day.

3. Games and fun

7. Treasure hunt with picture clues for little ones and riddle clues for older children.
8. Musical chairs or passing the parcel with a small surprise in each layer.
9. Old games day: lattoo, gilli-danda (soft ball version), pittu, hopscotch (stapu), marbles — the games parents played.
10. Fancy dress as a freedom fighter, a doctor, an astronaut or a favourite animal.
11. Quiz on Nehru and India: “Who was India’s first Prime Minister?”, “What is our national flower?” (lotus).
12. Dance party with the children choosing every song.

For ages 2–6, a stack of colouring and tracing pages keeps the celebration going after the guests leave. See the Little Learner Combo Pack →

4. Ideas for home

13. Kids’ takeover: the child picks breakfast, the outing and the bedtime story (within reason!).
14. Role swap: the child is the “parent” for an hour and gives you small jobs.
15. Cook together: a no-fire recipe like fruit chaat, bhel or sandwiches.
16. Write a letter to their future self and seal it for 10 years.
17. Donate a toy: choose one toy in good condition to give to a child who needs it — the real spirit of the day.

5. Ideas for school and class

18. Teachers perform for students — a skit or song. Children never forget this one.
19. Speech and poem corner — see our Children’s Day speech guide for ready short speeches.
20. No-bag day filled with art, games, storytelling and a small treat.

6. A simple half-day plan

Questions parents ask

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