Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati created a little boy from clay and breathed life into him. The handsome boy was named Ganesha. One day while Goddess Parvati was going for a bath, she asked Ganesha to stand guard. When Lord Shiva returned, Ganesha did not recognise him and denied him entry. In anger, Shiva severed Ganesha’s head. Needless to say that Parvati was very sad to see what had happened to her son. Parvati’s grief led Lord Shiva to replace Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant. Ever since, Lord Ganesha has been worshipped as the remover of obstacles.

It is important that students be made aware of our rich culture and mythology right from kindergarten school. To do this, it is important that all festivals be celebrated with children to help them learn about their culture and create lasting memories. Here are some creative ideas for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations that will endear Lord Ganesha to young devotees.

Ganesh Chaturthi Story

How about beginning the activity with the story of Lord Ganesha’s birth? Children will be fascinated to know how he received the elephant head and why he is worshipped as the God of new beginnings. They will also appreciate why every new project begins with an invocation to this loving God.

Ganesha Craft for Preschool

Indulging in Ganesha-related crafts is awesome for preschoolers on account of several reasons. It not only boosts their creativity, it also helps them develop motor skills. Besides, it gives them a great peek into our culture. Here are some fun craft activities to engage in:

• Children can be guided to make a small Ganesha idol with clay. Once it dries, they can also have a lot of fun colouring it. Not only is this an enjoyable activity it also connects children to our rich culture.
• There are other ways to try to recreate Lord Ganesha. How about painting a paper plate and adding Ganesha’s trunk to it?
• You can also help children create an eco-friendly image of Lord Ganesha with leaves. It will also be a great coachable moment to speak to children about the need for sustainable practices.
• Creating a Ganesha Mask will also be a great sensory activity.
• Children could also be helped to create their handprints and then turn it into Lord Ganesha’s image.
• Children can also have a lot of fun colouring images of Lord Ganesha in bright colours.
• Ganesh Chaturthi is also the perfect time to get children to create decorative torans. Marigold Flowers, colourful paper or even mango leaves can be great ingredients to create these decorative pieces which can occupy pride of place in the school or homes.
• Decorative paper lanterns are yet another idea to keep children engaged and have their handiwork displayed later.

Modaks

Among Ganesh Chaturthi’s creative ideas is to enlist the help of children to make delicious Modaks without which the festivity is not complete. Children will have a fun time trying out this easy dry fruit Modak recipe. All you need to do is to help them grind some almonds and cashews. To this powder add some dates & raisins and dry coconut.  Once you have the  mixture ready add some ghee. Turn it into a dough. Add some water as needed. Have some Modak moulds handy and let the children use the dough to create lovely modaks.

Lord Ganesha Chants and Bhajans

It will be great to teach young children some bhajans and chants that sing paeans to Lord Ganesha. Children have a lot of fun chanting “ Ganpati Bappa Maurya” or even singing “ Deva Shri Ganesha”

All of these activities are not just enjoyable, they also help to connect children to our rich culture and roots. To inculcate a sense of responsibility in the children, it is important to ensure there is a clean-up time after these activities, where children are encouraged to clean up the space, putting everything in their pre-designated places. Letting the children show their creations is a big boost to their self-esteem.

At Footprints Preschool, we are deeply committed to the holistic development of our students. To this end our focus is on areas like social and emotional development, language and communication, physical development, cognitive skills, and more.  Little surprise then that Footprints has emerged as a preferred parenting partner for parents across the country.

Here is wishing you all a great Ganesh Chaturthi! Ganpati Bappa Morya!

FAQs for Creative Ganesh Chaturthi Ideas for Preschool Celebrations

1. Why should preschoolers celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at school?
   Celebrating festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi helps children connect with their cultural roots, develop social bonds, and engage in joyful learning through storytelling, art, and music.
2. What is the best way to introduce Lord Ganesha’s story to preschoolers?
   Start with a simple, animated narration of how Ganesha got his elephant head and became the remover of obstacles. Using puppets or picture books adds visual delight for little learners.
3. How can I make the Ganesha idol craft eco-friendly?
   Use air-dry clay, leaves, natural dyes, or biodegradable materials to create idols. This not only nurtures creativity but also introduces children to sustainable practices.
4. What are some easy Ganesh-themed art ideas?
   Handprint Ganesha paintings, paper plate masks, leaf collages, and colouring pages are great ways to spark imagination while reinforcing fine motor skills. 
5. Can preschoolers participate in Modak-making?
   Absolutely! With dry fruit Modaks, children can enjoy mixing, shaping dough, and using Modak moulds – making it a fun, sensory-rich culinary experience.
6. How can we include music and chanting in the celebration?
   Simple bhajans and chants like “Ganpati Bappa Morya” can be taught through repetition and rhythm games. Singing together adds energy and devotion to the celebration.
7. What are some decoration ideas children can help with?
   Children can make torans using paper flowers, leaves, or colourful cutouts. They’ll feel proud seeing their creations displayed around the classroom or home.
8. How can we ensure children clean up after activities?
   Turn clean-up time into a mini-game or teamwork activity. Label bins and encourage sorting to make organization fun and rewarding.
9. What are the broader learning outcomes of this celebration?
   Children develop cultural literacy, fine motor skills, collaboration, creativity, and a sense of responsibility—all wrapped in festive joy.