Navratri 2026: Creative Activities & Return Gift Ideas for Kids
Sharad Navratri 2026 starts on Sunday, 11 October and runs to Monday, 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October. For kids, these nine days are full of colour, stories, diyas and dressing up. They’re also a great chance to swap screen time for something creative.
Here’s how to make Navratri meaningful for your child, from the daily colours to Kanya Puja gifts.
Navratri 2026 Colours: Day-by-Day
| Day | Date | Goddess | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 Oct | Shailaputri | Orange |
| 2 | 12 Oct | Brahmacharini | White |
| 3 | 13 Oct | Chandraghanta | Red |
| 4 | 14 Oct | Kushmanda | Royal Blue |
| 5 | 15 Oct | Skandamata | Yellow |
| 6 | 16 Oct | Katyayani | Green |
| 7 | 17 Oct | Kalaratri | Grey |
| 8 | 18 Oct | Mahagauri | Purple |
| 9 | 19 Oct | Siddhidatri | Peacock Green |
Colour lists vary slightly by region and family tradition.
5 Navratri Activities Kids Will Love
1. Paint diyas for the puja
Every evening aarti is better with a diya your child painted. Our Diya Decoration DIY Kit includes diyas, 6 paint pots and a brush, so kids can paint one in each day’s colour and light it at the puja corner.
2. Turn it into a colour-of-the-day game
Each morning, announce the day’s colour and ask your child to find five things in that colour around the house. Then they paint something with it. It teaches colour recognition and gives the nine days a fun rhythm.
3. Paint rocks in Navratri colours
Our Rock It! Rock Painting Kit lets kids paint a set of nine, one per day’s colour, to display near the puja thali. It’s a calm, screen-free activity that suits a wide age range.
4. Create Indian-culture art
Older kids can try the Desi Strokes canvas painting kit, which is inspired by Indian culture and gives them a finished piece to frame.
5. Weave in the stories
Tell one Goddess story each night, then let your child draw or paint what they imagined. It builds storytelling, memory and creativity, and it passes on the meaning behind the festival.
Kanya Puja Return Gifts: Beat the Last-Minute Rush
Durga Ashtami is on 18 October and Maha Navami on 19 October, the two big days for Kanya Puja. If you’re hosting, you’ll need gifts that are meaningful, safe and easy to give in bulk.
Good Kanya Puja gifts should be:
- Useful and screen-free, not another plastic toy that’s forgotten in a week
- Age-friendly for the girls you’re inviting
- Budget-friendly when you need 5, 9 or 11 of them
Our Return Gifts collection has options for exactly this. Popular picks include:
- Diya Decoration DIY Kit (4 diyas): ₹199
- Goddess Laxmi DIY Painting Kit: ₹199
- Rock It! Rock Painting Kit: ₹399
Tip: Order by 15 October so your gifts arrive before Ashtami. Spend ₹999 or more for free shipping.
Why Parents in Pune and Across India Choose Kidooart
- DIY kits designed for creativity, not just keeping kids busy
- Everything needed inside the box, with no extra shopping
- Free shipping over ₹999 and easy 7-day returns on unopened items
- A real team you can call on 80848 19191 (open daily, 9 AM to 7 PM)
FAQs
When does Navratri 2026 start and end?
Sharad Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, followed by Dussehra on 20 October.
What are good Navratri activities for kids at home?
Painting diyas, colour-of-the-day games, rock painting, storytelling with drawing and canvas art are all easy, screen-free options.
What can I give as a Kanya Puja return gift?
DIY painting kits are a thoughtful alternative to sweets or small toys, because kids get to create something themselves.
Can I order a bulk set of return gifts?
Yes. Call or WhatsApp us on 80848 19191 to discuss bulk orders. (Edit this line to match what you actually offer.)
Planning ahead for Diwali? Read our Diwali 2026 guide.