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Krishna Janmashtami is a day of joy and celebration, especially for children. Kids dress up as Krishna or Radha for this special occasion and eagerly look forward to listening to stories about Krishna’s childhood.
An exciting way to make the day even more memorable is by engaging in fun Krishna Janmashtami Activities with your kids.
These Activities can range from making Paper crafts to engaging in printable Activities and learning about Krishna!
We’ve put together numerous activities for kids for various Festivals in India, and you might also find these enjoyable:
Ganesh Chaturthi Activities for Kids
What is Krishna Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami is perhaps the most joyous and fun-filled festival in India. It celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, who is believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu himself.
When is Janmashtami in 2026?
The exact date of Janmashtami varies each year because it is based on the Hindu Lunar calendar.
It typically falls on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar.
This year, 2026, Janmashtami falls on Friday, September 4.
How do people celebrate Krishna Janmashtami?
Here are some key ways in which people celebrate Janmashtami, explained in short points suitable for kids:
These are some fun, colourful ways Janmashtami is celebrated, and it’s a special day for kids to learn about and take part in these joyful traditions.
Krishna Janmashtami Activities for Kids
I’ve compiled a list of Krishna-themed activities perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and even primary school kids! This collection contains simple crafts, printables, Book recommendations, Videos, and more.
Enjoy exploring these Activities with your children.
This list will continue to grow each year, so consider pinning one of the images to your board for future reference.
For more detail on Each Craft and printable, read on!
Krishna Crown Printable
Get creative with your crafting for your next Krishna celebration! Our crown printable makes it easy to craft a beautiful headpiece in no time at all. All you need is paper, glue and our Free printable Krishna crown Template.
Once the crown’s been finished, personalise it further with sequins, glitter, fabric or coloured paper — there’s no limit to what you can use!
Invite the kids to help create their own version of the crown, which makes for an enjoyable family activity that yields festive results.
Krishna Cut and Paste Craft
Cut-and-paste crafts are very easy and take just 15 to 20 minutes to complete. This Craft Printable allows you to make a 35 cm Krishna, which is an ideal size for kids to create and display on the wall for Janmashtami.
We have cut-and-paste crafts for Many other Hindu gods and goddesses. Check out Lakshmi Craft, Shiva Craft and Ganesha Craft
Paper Weaving Pot Craft
Lord Krishna is known for his mischievous butter-stealing antics from pots during his childhood.
For a creative Janmashtami activity, consider crafting this Paper Woven Pot, a perfect project for kids. You can enhance it by adding a touch of cotton to represent the butter.
Sounds cool, doesn’t it? Access the Free Pot Weaving Template and make this Pot craft today.
Handprint Peacock Craft
Krishna is consistently depicted wearing a peacock feather on his crown, so crafting a handprint peacock is perfect for this occasion of Janmashtami!
It is a simple and enjoyable project. You can find instructions and download our free Peacock Template for guidance.
More Peacock Activities for Kids
Peacock Craft made with Leaves
Krishna Colouring Page
Colouring is an adored activity for children of all ages and interests. Janmashtami is a wonderful chance to indulge in colouring and craft your own Krishna.
Additionally, adding a sweet touch by colouring “Happy Janmashtami” makes it an ideal gift for loved ones during this festive occasion.
Download this printable at the end of the post!
Krishna Janmashtami Videos
Janmashtami celebrates Krishna’s birthday, but have you ever wondered about the fascinating story behind his birth? It was no ordinary day, like ours.
Krishna’s birth tale is filled with intrigue, with his parents imprisoned and the evil Kansa awaiting the baby’s demise. How did Krishna survive? Discover this captivating story by watching the video. Isn’t it intriguing?
You can also consider purchasing the “My First Mythology Tale ” set, which comes with 10 books. The tale of Krishna is a part of it.
We found this set quite convenient for teaching the stories of all major Hindu deities. It is a compact and budget-friendly Pick! We recently also got another set of 5 for Hindu Goddesses as well!
Read Krishna’s Stories
Children adore the thrilling tales of Little Krishna, especially his encounters with demons dispatched by the wicked King Kansa.
We’ve gathered a selection of the most beloved Krishna stories, complete with videos, for your kids’ delight. Explore the finest Krishna stories for children right here!
Krishna Card
This is an easy way to make pop-up cards perfect for Janmashtami. Watch the Video for Step-By-Step Instructions!
Krishna Silhouette Art
When your child enjoys painting, trying out Krishna silhouette art is a must-do activity. You can easily create your own stunning Krishna poster in no time. Just download our free Krishna template and get started!
Dress Up as Little Krishna and Radha
Dressing up is one of kids’ favourite activities, and children will love to dress up as Krishna or Radha.
For Krishna, you’ll need a white dhoti, a peacock feather crown, a flute, and jewellery. For Radha, any ethnic Indian dress like a lehenga with a shawl draped on the head, along with jewellery and bindis, works perfectly.
We cherish dressing our daughter as Krishna in some years and Radha in others. It’s a wonderful tradition!
Many stores in India offer fantastic costume sets with all the accessories needed, making it a delightful experience for both kids and parents. I have some fantastic picks from Amazon for you!
Krishna Swing
It’s a lovely tradition to create a charming swing for Krishna and gently sway it during Janmashtami. In temples, these swings are grand, matching the size of the idol.
At home, people often purchase smaller idols with swings, but you can also craft your own DIY Krishna swing, as we did. It’s incredibly simple; all you need is some straw and a cardboard base, and you can assemble it effortlessly.
Involve kids to make a Rangoli
No Hindu festival is whole without lively kolams and decor! Engaging kids in crafting this art is pure joy. Colouring the Kolam (Rangoli) with my grandmother during festivals remains a cherished childhood memory!
Check out over 10 ideas to make a Rangoli craft – Hands-on and fun!
Krishna Activity Pack
Engage kids with the Krishna Activity Pack, a printable set full of exciting activities centred around Lord Krishna.
Kids will learn Facts about Krishna and Krishna Stories! And test their knowledge with engaging Quizzes and True-or-false questions.
They can engage in colouring beautiful Krishna-themed images and crafting their own Krishna Janmashtami cards.
Kids will enjoy mazes, Sudoku, and more—all with a Krishna theme—while engagingly exploring Hindu mythology.
Get the Printable Krishna Activity Pack of 26 Pages
Decorate a Dahi pot
If you have a terracotta pot at home, consider decorating it with gold lace and embellishments. This creative activity is not only enjoyable during Janmashtami but also makes for a great decoration and prop for photoshoots with your little Krishna!
Watch the Dahi Handi Event
“Dahi Handi” is a traditional event celebrated in India as part of the Krishna Janmashtami festival. The term “Dahi Handi” can be translated to “curd pot” in English.
During the Dahi Handi event, a human pyramid is formed by a group of young participants (usually men and boys) called “Govindas.” At the top of this pyramid is a clay pot or a container filled with yoghurt.
The pot is suspended at a considerable height, often from a rope strung across the street or between two buildings.
The goal of the participants is to reach the pot, break it open, and spill its contents, symbolising the playful nature of the young Lord Krishna, who was known for his love of butter and curd.
This event is not only a religious observance but also a fun and competitive tradition, as teams of Govindas compete to see who can form the tallest human pyramid and break the Dahi Handi.
Dahi Handi celebrations are especially popular in the state of Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, where large-scale competitions and events are organised, drawing huge crowds and media attention.
Dahi Handi Craft
Create Dahi Handi art easily by stamping with potatoes. Kids will love this easy Craft that represents a celebration on Janmashtami.
Learn Krishna slogan
This easy-to-remember slogan is a way to call upon Lord Krishna and Lord Rama with love and devotion. Perfect for kids!
You can explain to kids that chanting this slogan is a way to show love and respect to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, who are both considered avatars (incarnations) of the Supreme God in Hinduism.
Create Krishna Footprints
Creating footprints of Krishna leading from the entrance of the house to the prayer room, where idols are kept, is a cherished Hindu tradition.
Typically, this involves dipping little kids’ feet in rice water and having them walk from the entrance to the prayer room, leaving a trail of footprints.
It’s an engaging and enjoyable activity for children, immersing them in the festive spirit. However, if there are no young children at home, people resort to making these footprints with their own hands.
For a visual demonstration, you can watch the video below.
Read the Other Avatars of Vishnu
Krishna is widely recognised as an incarnation of Vishnu, alongside popular avatars like Rama and Bhuta. However, children often have limited knowledge about the other incarnations.
To discover more about the ten avatars, including lesser-known ones, I recommend reading the book “Dhasavatharam.” It offers an engaging and informative experience for kids.
Dashavtar the Ten Divine Forms of Vishnu
Book on how Janmashtami is celebrated
In this book, kids visit Mumbai in India to celebrate Janmashtami. This book also tells some episodes of the life of Krishna.
The author skillfully blends storytelling with cultural education, using bright and engaging illustrations to capture the attention of young readers.
Books about Krishna
We have compiled a list of the 15 best books about Lord Krishna. This includes books for toddlers, young readers and advanced readers. Visit the blog to see the full list.
Krishna Printable Activities for Kids
I hope you enjoyed exploring the extensive list of Krishna Janmashtami activities for kids and learning more about the festival.
We plan to keep expanding this list with more fun activities and printables each year, so be sure to save it for later.
Download the Free printables
Krishna Janmashtami Colouring Page
Krishna Template for Crafts and Art Projects