Republic Day is a national holiday that every Indian looks forward to with swelling pride. Growing up, we all have fond memories of this day—the crisp winter morning air, the sound of “Jana Gana Mana” echoing in school hallways, flag hoisting ceremonies, vigorous march-pasts, and the sweet taste of distribution ladoos.
For children, this day is magical. It is a visual treat of saffron, white, and green. But more than just a holiday, it is a teaching moment. With Republic Day 2025 approaching, the excitement is building up to celebrate the spirit of India.
Whether you are a teacher planning a classroom activity or a parent looking to engage your child at home, this guide brings you 70+ Republic Day Crafts and Activities. We have curated these ideas around the 2025 theme: “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India: Heritage and Development), ensuring your celebration is both fun and educational.
Understanding the Significance: What are we Celebrating?
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, it is essential to tell the kids why we are crafting.
When is Republic Day? India celebrates Republic Day on January 26th every year.
Why is it different from Independence Day? This is a common question children ask!
- Independence Day (August 15): Celebrates the day we got freedom from British Rule.
- Republic Day (January 26): Commemorates the day in 1950 when India adopted its Constitution. It marks the moment India became a sovereign, democratic republic.
The 2025 Theme: Swarnim Bharat For 2025, the focus is on Heritage (Virasat) and Development (Vikas). This means our crafts can range from ancient Indian art forms to modern achievements like ISRO rockets!
1. The Classic Tri-Color Crafts (Saffron, White, and Green)
The simplest way to get into the spirit is by playing with the colors of the Tiranga. These crafts are great for toddlers and preschoolers to learn color recognition and the meaning behind them (Saffron for strength, White for peace, Green for growth).
1. Handprint Indian Flag
- Materials: Paint, white chart paper.
- Method: Paint the child’s palm. Saffron on the top fingers, leave the middle unpainted (or white), and green on the thumb and bottom. Stamp it on paper. Use a blue marker to draw the Ashoka Chakra in the center.
2. Tri-Color Pulses (Dal) Flag
A sensory craft that looks beautiful.
- Materials: Masoor Dal (Orange), White Urad Dal or Rice (White), Green Moong Dal (Green), Glue, Cardboard.
- Method: Draw the flag outline. Have the child apply glue and sprinkle the respective lentils in the correct bands. This adds a 3D texture to the flag.
3. Popsicle Stick Badge
- Method: Glue three ice cream sticks together horizontally. Paint them in tri-color. Attach a safety pin at the back. Kids can wear this proudly on their chests.
4. Paper Chain Decor
Make long chains to decorate the living room or classroom.
- Method: Cut strips of orange, white, and green paper. Loop them into each other to form a garland. This is a classic “teamwork” activity for siblings or classmates.
More Quick Tri-Color Ideas: 5. Tri-color wind chimes using painted plastic cups. 6. Capitos (bottle cap) mosaic flag. 7. Tri-color pasta necklace (dye pasta with food coloring). 8. Saffron, White, and Green playdough modeling. 9. Fingerprint flag painting for toddlers. 10. Tri-color wool wrapped bangles.
2. National Symbols Crafts: Flora and Fauna
Teach children about India’s biodiversity through its national symbols.
The National Bird: The Peacock
The Peacock represents grace and joy. Its vibrant colors make for excellent crafts.
11. Paper Plate Peacock
- Method: Cut a paper plate in half. This is the body. Paint it blue. Cut “feathers” from green paper and glue them fan-like behind the plate. Use sequins or blue glitter glue to make the eye-spots on the feathers.
12. Spoon Peacock Puppet
- Method: Use a blue plastic spoon as the body. Paste a fan of green paper behind the spoon bowl. Draw eyes on the back of the spoon.
More Peacock Ideas: 13. Handprint Peacock (fingers are feathers). 14. CD reuse Peacock (shiny surface acts as feathers). 15. Quilling art Peacock.
The National Animal: The Tiger
Symbolizing power and strength.
16. Paper Bag Tiger Puppet
- Method: Take a brown paper lunch bag. Paint it orange with black stripes. Glue ears to the top corners. The child can put their hand inside to make the tiger “talk.”
17. Tiger Mask from Paper Plates
- Method: Cut eye holes in a paper plate. Paint it orange with black stripes. Add whiskers using black pipe cleaners. Attach an elastic band.
The National Flower: The Lotus
Symbolizing purity.
18. Origami Lotus
- Method: Use pink origami paper to fold a simple lotus. This is great for older kids to practice fine motor skills.
19. Tissue Paper Lotus
- Method: Crumple pink tissue paper squares and glue them close together on a circular base to create a “fluffy” 3D flower effect.
The National Fruit: The Mango
20. Balloon Mangoes: Inflate a small yellow balloon partially so it stays oval. Add a green paper leaf near the knot. 21. Clay Mangoes: Use yellow playdough or air-dry clay to mold mangoes and paint them shading from green to yellow.
3. “Virasat” Crafts: Celebrating Indian Heritage
Aligning with the 2025 theme, these crafts focus on Indian art and culture.
22. Warli Art Bookmarks
- Context: Warli is a tribal art form from Maharashtra using simple geometric shapes.
- Activity: Cut strips of brown cardstock. Give kids a white gel pen or white paint. Teach them to draw simple Warli figures (triangles and circles) dancing or holding hands.
23. Madhubani Coasters
- Context: Folk art from Bihar known for eye-catching geometrical patterns.
- Activity: Use old CDs or cardboard circles. Let kids fill them with intricate colorful patterns using sketch pens.
24. Block Printing with Vegetables
- Context: India is famous for textile printing.
- Activity: Carve a simple design into a potato or use cut Okra (Ladyfinger). Dip in paint and stamp onto a plain white cloth or paper to create a traditional Indian print pattern.
4. “Vikas” Crafts: Celebrating Modern India
Republic Day is also about the future. Let’s celebrate India’s progress.
25. ISRO Rocket Model
- Method: Use an empty kitchen roll (cardboard tube) to build a rocket. Paint it white with the Indian flag on the side. Label it “Chandrayaan” or “Gaganyaan.” This celebrates India’s space achievements.
26. The Vande Bharat Express
- Method: Use shoeboxes to create train compartments. Paint them white and blue. Connect them with string. This represents modern infrastructure.
5. Tri-Color Party Food Ideas (Fireless Cooking)
Celebrations are incomplete without food! Get the kids into the kitchen.
27. Tri-Color Sandwiches: Use carrot shavings mixed with mayo for the orange layer, plain cheese/mayo for white, and mint chutney for green. Stack them for a delicious flag.
28. Fruit Skewers: Thread Papaya (Orange), Banana (White), and Kiwi (Green) onto a skewer. Healthy and patriotic!
29. Idli Platter: Make standard Idlis. Mix grated carrots in one part of the batter and spinach puree in another. Steam them to get saffron, white, and green idlis.
30. Republic Day Juice: Layer Orange juice, Sprite (or coconut water), and Kiwi juice (carefully poured over a spoon) to create a layered drink.
6. Republic Day Activities for Schools and Homes
Beyond crafts, here is how to engage the energy of the children.
31. Fancy Dress Competition (Go Beyond the Basics) While Gandhi ji and Nehru ji are classics, encourage kids to dress up as unsung heroes or modern icons.
- Ideas: Savitribai Phule, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a Scientist from ISRO, a Farmer, or a Soldier.
32. Patriotic Movie Marathon (Family Friendly) Gather the family for a movie night.
- Swades (2004) – For love of the motherland.
- Lagaan (2001) – For team spirit.
- I Am Kalam (2011) – Inspiring for kids.
- Chak De! India (2007) – For sportsmanship and national pride.
33. Virtual Heritage Walk Use Google Earth or YouTube VR to take a “tour” of the Red Fort, India Gate, or the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Explain the architecture to the children.
34. “My Dream India” Essay/Drawing Ask children to draw or write about what they want India to look like in 2030. This encourages visionary thinking.
35. Learn the States Get a blank map of India. Have the child color each state a different color and try to learn the capital of one state per day leading up to January 26th.
7. Decoration Ideas for January 26th
Transform your space to look festive.
36. Kite Gallery on the Wall: Since kite flying is popular (especially in Gujarat), cut out diamond shapes from colored paper, decorate them, and stick them on a prominent wall. 37. Balloon Arch: An arch of orange, white, and green balloons at the entrance. 38. Rangoli: Use flower petals (Marigold for orange, Jasmine for white, leaves for green) to make an eco-friendly Republic Day Rangoli at the doorstep.
Quick-Fire List: 30 More Ideas to Reach 70+
To ensure you never run out of ideas, here are rapid-fire concepts:
- Paper cup garland.
- Tri-color wristbands using ribbons.
- Painting earthen pots in tri-color.
- Making a soldier’s hat out of newspaper.
- Drawing the India Gate.
- Making a clay model of the Ashoka Pillar.
- Tri-color fruit salad.
- Handprint Dove (symbol of peace).
- Painting stones/rocks in tri-color.
- Making a spinning wheel (Charkha) using popsicle sticks.
- Tri-color bookmarks.
- Origami dove.
- Paper plate Sun (representing the glorious future).
- Collage of freedom fighters using old newspaper clippings.
- Tri-color jelly cups.
- Making a map of India using grains.
- Tri-color hair clips for girls.
- Bow ties made of tri-color ribbons.
- Decorating a pencil stand with national colors.
- Making a paper boat (representing Indian Navy).
- Making a paper plane (representing Indian Air Force).
- Cardboard tank model (representing Indian Army).
- Tri-color flower bouquet using tissue paper.
- Button art flag (gluing buttons).
- Tricolor candle holder (using glass jars).
- DIY National Emblem stamps using potato.
- Drawing the Banyan tree (National Tree).
- Clay modeling of the King Cobra (National Reptile).
- Making a collage of Indian spices.
- Decorating a “Thali” with craft materials.
- Writing the Preamble of the Constitution in calligraphy.
- Recording a video singing a patriotic song.
Conclusion
As we approach Republic Day 2025, let us ensure that the celebration goes beyond just a holiday from school. Through these 70+ crafts and activities, we can instill a deep sense of pride, understanding, and hope in the next generation.
The theme of “Golden India” is not just a slogan; it is a vision that our children will build. By engaging their hands in crafts and their minds in history, we are helping them lay the bricks for that future.
Happy Republic Day! Jai Hind!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can these crafts be done by toddlers? A: Yes! Crafts like the Handprint Flag, Vegetable Stamping, and Balloon Mangoes are specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy with supervision.
Q: What is the difference between the flag hoisting on Independence Day vs. Republic Day? A: On Independence Day (Aug 15), the flag is hoisted (pulled up from the bottom) by the Prime Minister at the Red Fort. On Republic Day (Jan 26), the flag is already at the top and is unfurled by the President at the Kartavya Path (Rajpath).