Navratri and Durga Puja with Kids in Gurugram: Dandiya, Crafts and Food

By Chitra Puri, founder of Just Goofing · Oct 10, 2026

Quick answer: Navratri 2026 begins on 11 October, with Durga Puja in mid-October and Dussehra on 20 October. Children enjoy it most with early, family-friendly dandiya sessions, short pandal visits in the morning or early evening, simple crafts like decorated dandiya sticks and paper garlands, and a calmer plan for the morning after a late night.

Navratri is nine nights of music, colour and dancing, and children love it. But festival evenings run late, crowds are big, and the music is loud. A little planning helps the whole family enjoy the season without overtired, overwhelmed children.

What Navratri and Durga Puja mean, for children

For young children, keep the story simple: for nine nights we celebrate Goddess Durga, who is brave and strong and protects everyone from harm. On the tenth day, Dussehra, we celebrate good winning over evil. Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja over the same days, visiting beautifully decorated pandals with idols of Durga and her children. Many families in Gurugram celebrate a mix of traditions with neighbours and friends.

Dandiya and garba with children

Dandiya and garba are wonderful for children: simple steps, lots of movement and a big group to dance with. To make them work for little ones:

• Choose early or family sessions; many housing societies hold a children's evening.
• Teach the basic steps at home first, to a song your child knows.
• Use lightweight or foam dandiya sticks for under-fives.
• Dress children in comfortable cotton, with shoes they can dance in.
• Plan to leave before your child is exhausted, even if the music is still going.

Visiting Durga Puja pandals

Pandals are a feast for the senses: the idols, the lights, the dhak drums and the food stalls. With children, go in the morning or early evening when crowds are lighter, visit one or two pandals rather than five, and agree a meeting point with older children. Ear defenders help toddlers during dhunuchi dances and dhak performances. Keep a water bottle and a snack in your bag.

Navratri crafts for kids

Fasting-friendly food children enjoy

If your family fasts, children usually don't, but they often want to eat what the adults are eating. Navratri-friendly foods that children like include sabudana khichdi, kuttu or singhara pooris, sweet potato chaat, makhana roasted with a little ghee, fruit chaat, and kheer. Keep regular meals going for young children and offer festive foods as treats.

Kanya pujan

Many families hold kanya pujan on the eighth or ninth day, inviting young girls home to be honoured and fed. If your daughter is invited to several homes, she may be offered a lot of rich food in one morning; it's fine to ask for small portions. If you're hosting, check the invited children's allergies and keep the morning short and joyful.

Managing late nights

• Give young children a nap on festival afternoons.
• Keep the next morning slow and quiet.
• Don't go out every night; choose two or three evenings.
• Pack pyjamas in the car for the drive home.

Hosting a Navratri get-together

If you'd like to celebrate with friends but your home is small, a daytime festive gathering works well for families with young children: a short dandiya session, crafts, festive food and free play, done before evening traffic. A venue with a play area keeps the children busy while adults celebrate. See our guide to festive season events with kids.

Navratri dressing for children

Navratri is a lovely excuse to dress up. For girls, a light chaniya choli or a cotton lehenga works for dancing; for boys, a kediyu or a simple kurta with dhoti pants. Choose soft fabrics that don't scratch, avoid heavy mirror work for toddlers, and pick comfortable footwear that stays on during dandiya. Many families follow the colour of each day of Navratri, which children enjoy as a game.

A Navratri week plan for families

• Before Navratri: make dandiya sticks and garlands together.
• Early in the week: a family dandiya evening at home or in your society.
• Mid-week: a morning visit to a pandal.
• Day 8 or 9: kanya pujan, if your family observes it.
• Dussehra: Ramlila or Ravan Dahan from a safe distance.

Celebrating at daycare and school

Many daycares and schools hold a small Navratri celebration with dandiya and festive clothes. Ask in advance so you can send the right outfit, and keep it simple. Children enjoy dressing up most when they can still move and play freely.

Telling the story of Durga to children

Children love the story of Goddess Durga. Tell it simply: a demon called Mahishasura was causing trouble everywhere, and no one could stop him. So the gods brought their powers together and created Durga, who rode a lion and carried a weapon in each of her many hands. After a long battle, she defeated Mahishasura, and everyone celebrated. Ask your child which of Durga's qualities they'd like to have: courage, strength or kindness.

Whichever traditions your family follows, the nine nights are a chance to slow down together: dance, cook, tell stories and visit friends. Children will remember the feeling of the festival, the music, colours and time with family, far more than any single event.

FAQs

When is Navratri in 2026?

Navratri begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026, and Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

What age can children play dandiya?

From around three, with lightweight or foam sticks and simple steps. Older children can join regular sessions.

Should children fast during Navratri?

Young children usually shouldn't fast. They can enjoy Navratri foods as treats while keeping their regular meals.

How can I make pandal visits easier with a toddler?

Go early, visit only one or two pandals, carry water and snacks, and bring ear defenders for the drums.

Planning a festive get-together? See our packages or read about festive kitty parties with the kids happily busy.