Come October, festivity is in the air. Navratri decorations begin to make their appearance; school circulars are already announcing the Dussehra celebrations. Amidst all this activity, parents and teachers are often left wondering how to make it fun for a 4‑year‑old. This guide brings everything together – the Dussehra story told simply, nine engaging preschool activities, easy drawing ideas as well as festive crafts. Read on for a complete set of playful, age‑appropriate ways to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The Dussehra Story, Told the Way a Preschooler Will Understand

Long ago, there was a kind prince named Rama. His wife Sita was taken away by Ravana, a king with ten heads. Rama, with the help of his brother Lakshmana and the monkey god Hanuman, defeated Ravana and finally got Sita back.

The word Dussehra comes from two Sanskrit words- dasha (ten) and hara (defeat). It means the defeat of the ten‑headed Ravana. On Dussehra, we burn the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad. The Dussehra story reminds us that good always wins over evil and that being good is a choice we make every day.

Told simply, the Ramayana story for children will make a big impact on them, and its learning will stay with them long after the festivities are over.

UNICEF describes storytelling and pretend play as two of the most powerful ways young children absorb ideas and make sense of the world around them.

A Quick Note on Navratri (11 to 19 October)

Navratri means “nine nights,” a time when families celebrate with lights, music, and devotion. Each day has its own colour. After nine joyful nights, the tenth day is Dussehra, the festival of victory of good over evil.

For preschoolers, Navratri can be a lot of fun with these simple activities:

• Children can dress in the colour of the day to feel a part of the celebration.
• You can help them participate in gentle garba or dandiya dance using safe plastic sticks.
• Together, make a mini thali with a diya and flowers and help them learn about the rituals.
• Use a nine‑day sticker chart so children can track and celebrate each day.

9 Dussehra Activities for Preschoolers

October has two celebrations close together – Gandhi Jayanti (you can check out Gandhi Jayanti activities for preschoolers here) and Dussehra. The answer to how to celebrate Dussehra lies in a wide range of activities that add fun while also offering learning opportunities for children.

1. Ramleela Performance

Invite preschoolers to act out simple scenes from the Ramayana. You can assign small roles. Let them dress up as per the character as well as use props. It will be delightful to see young children deliver short lines in keeping with their character.

Besides adding oodles of fun, the activity will also go a long way in teaching students confidence and teamwork.

2. Lessons from Ramayana

After the performance, ask children to share one lesson they learned. You will be surprised to see how they come up with lessons on truth, kindness or bravery.

The activity is a teachable moment, as it teaches children some enduring values.

3. Rangoli Making

Guide children to make colourful rangolis using flowers or safe colours. Remember to keep the designs simple and collaborative. The goal at this stage isn’t perfection but participation. Remember also to praise the child for their effort.

The activity teaches children fine motor skills, creativity as well as cooperation.

4. Puppet Show

Use puppets to retell the Ramayana story. Children can watch the puppet show or even help move the puppets and have a lot of fun in the process.

The activity is high on creativity and imagination, besides also teaching children moral values.

5. Art and Craft Activity

Encourage children to create images of Ravana with ten heads. It will also be a lot of fun for children to make festive decorations for the classroom. To have their creations displayed in the classroom will go a long way in boosting their confidence.

With this activity children learn creativity and focus and also learn to take pride in their work.

6. Reading

It will be great to read aloud age‑appropriate Ramayana storybooks to children. Let the children stop you along the way to ask questions.

The activity teaches a love for reading and comprehension besides sharing value-based stories that they will remember for a long time.

7. Ravana Dahan

Create a small Ravana effigy. Let children safely throw soft paper balls at it while explaining the concept of good versus evil.

With this activity, the concept of good versus evil is cemented in the child’s mind.  

8. Ethnic Dressing

Invite children to wear ethnic clothes or simple costumes of characters from the Ramayana.

Needless to say, you will be teaching the child an important lesson in cultural pride and expression.

9. A Fair Setup

Organize a mini fair with stalls that have simple games, and festive food. Keep it age‑appropriate and safe.

The activity will bring the celebratory spirit and social interaction up close.

Dussehra Drawing Ideas for Children

Drawing is one of the easiest ways for preschoolers to join in the festival spirit. With basic shapes and bright colors, children can create their own version of the Dussehra story.

1. Ravana Drawing

Encourage the child to start with one big circle in the middle for Ravana’s main face. Help them add a row of smaller circles on the left and the right to ensure he has ten heads. Next, draw simple crown shapes on each circle, then add dots for eyes. Encourage children to colour each head in bright shades like red, yellow, or green, so it looks festive. Pro tip: A 3‑year‑old’s Ravana will be circles and scribbles and that is fine.

2. Bow and Arrow

Help the child draw a curved line for the bow. Next, add a straight line across for the arrow. Children can color the bow brown and the arrow bright yellow.

3. Simple Rama Figure

Let the child begin by drawing straight lines for the body, arms, and legs. Next add a small circle for the head. On one hand, draw a curved bow and a straight line for the arrow. Encourage children to colour Rama’s clothes in bright colours, and add a little crown.

4. Diya and Flowers

Help the child sketch a small oval for the diya base and a curved line for the flame. Add circles around it for flowers.

5. Dussehra Greeting Card Cover

Fold a sheet of paper like a card. On the front, guide children to draw a bow and arrow or Ravana’s face, then write “Happy Dussehra” in big letters.

Dussehra Craft Ideas Using Things You Already Have

These crafts use everyday materials, making Dussehra celebrations safe and joyful for preschoolers:

1. Paper Bow and Arrow – Roll a paper or card into a bow shape and cut a straight strip for the arrow. Decorate the bow and arrow with crayons or stickers.

 Safety note- Make sure you do not use anything sharp to avoid injury.

2. Ravana Paper‑Plate Face –  Use a paper plate as Ravana’s main face. Add smaller paper circles to complete his ten heads, draw eyes and crowns, and colour brightly.
3. Paper cutouts – Glue paper cutouts of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravana onto ice‑cream sticks. Children can use them to act out the Ramayana story.
4. Simple Toran with Paper Leaves  –  Cut leaf shapes from coloured paper and string them together with thread. Hang across a doorway or wall.

You can check out other ideas for art and craft for preschoolers here.

NAEYC highlights creative art as one of the richest ways young children express ideas and build fine motor skills, and festival crafts add cultural connection to that.

All Activities at a Glance

Activity	Best Age	Time Needed	What It Teaches
Ramleela role play	3–6 yrs	30 min	Storytelling, confidence
Lessons from Ramayana	4–6 yrs	20 min	Values, reflection
Rangoli making	3–6 yrs	25 min	Fine motor, creativity, teamwork
Puppet show	3–5 yrs	30 min	Imagination, listening, values
Art & craft decorations	3–6 yrs	30 min	Creativity, focus, pride
Reading Ramayana stories	3–6 yrs	15 min	Love for reading, comprehension
Ravana Dahan (safe version)	4–6 yrs	20 min	Symbolism, values, participation
Ethnic dressing	3–6 yrs	15 min	Cultural pride, expression
Mini fair setup	4–6 yrs	45 min	Social interaction, celebration
Ravana face drawing	3–6 yrs	20 min	Observation, creativity
Rama figure drawing	3–6 yrs	20 min	Imagination, storytelling
Bow and arrow drawing	3–5 yrs	15 min	Hand control, focus
Diya & flowers drawing	3–5 yrs	15 min	Fine motor, creativity
Greeting card cover	4–6 yrs	25 min	Expression, pride
Paper bow & arrow craft	4–6 yrs	25 min	Fine motor, imagination
Ravana paper‑plate face	3–6 yrs	30 min	Creativity, storytelling
Paper cutouts (Ramayana)	3–5 yrs	30 min	Story sequencing, confidence
Toran with paper leaves	4–6 yrs	25 min	Fine motor, festive decoration

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I explain Dussehra to a 4-year-old?

Tell them it is a festival that celebrates the story of Rama winning back Sita from Ravana, the king with ten heads. Keep the message simple: “Dussehra means good wins over bad.”

2. What can a preschooler draw for Dussehra?

Children can try easy shapes. Ravana’s face with circles for heads, a bow and arrow, Rama as a paper-cut-out figure, or a diya with flowers. Scribbles and bright colours are perfect at this age.

3. What is the easiest Dussehra craft for a 3-year-old?

A paper plate Ravana’s face is the simplest. Just add circles for heads and draw eyes. It uses everyday materials and is safe for little hands.

4. How is Navratri connected to Dussehra?

Navratri means nine nights of celebration. Dussehra falls on the day after the nine nights of Navratri, which marks Rama’s victory over Ravana. It is the moment of good defeating evil.

5. Should young children watch the Ravana effigy burning? 

The loud sounds, fire, and crowds can overwhelm preschoolers. Watching from a safe distance or skipping it altogether is completely fine. The story and meaning matter far more than the spectacle.

To Sum Up

Dussehra becomes meaningful when parents and teachers use stories, play, and simple activities to remind children that good ultimately wins over the bad.

Zero to Three explains that young children learn best through hands-on, everyday experiences, which is why joining in festival preparations teaches more than being told about them.

Keep watching this space for more such informative content. At Footprints Preschool & Daycare we are committed to every child’s holistic growth and development. We follow the scientifically developed HighScope curriculum, which is grounded in over 50 years of study on early childhood development.