Indian Crafts for Kids: 6 Easy Projects with Steps

Indian crafts are a fun way to get kids creating and learning about another culture at the same time. India has a huge range of traditions, from painted pottery to block-printed fabric, and many of them translate well into simple projects at home or in class.

Here are five easy Indian crafts for kids, each with materials, an age range, difficulty and step-by-step instructions, plus a bonus Warli-style painting and answers to common questions about Indian crafts. Most take under an hour.

Quick Picks: Indian Crafts for Kids at a Glance

Craft	Best for	Time	Main materials
Pot painting	Ages 5+, easy	1-2 hours	Terracotta pot, acrylic paint, sandpaper
Paper plate rangoli	Ages 4+, easy	30-45 minutes	Paper plate, paint or colored paper, glue
Henna-style paper hands	Ages 6+, easy	30 minutes	Paper, pencil, black marker
Block printing	Ages 5+, easy to medium	30-45 minutes	Print block or vegetable, paint, fabric or paper
Paper lantern	Ages 6+, easy	45 minutes	Colored paper, scissors, glue, stapler
Warli-style painting (bonus)	Ages 5+, easy	30 minutes	Dark paper, white paint or paint pen

1. Pot Painting

Source: By Vidya Nesarikar And Siddiqha Naseem @ Parent Circle, “5 easy Indian arts and crafts ideas for kids: Help your little ones gain an understanding of our rich culture” (https://www.parentcircle.com/easy-indian-arts-and-crafts-ideas-for-kids/article)

Ages 5+ | Easy | 1-2 hours plus drying

Painting a plain clay pot is a traditional-feeling craft you can do on any afternoon. The finished pot can hold pencils or a small plant.

Materials

• Small terracotta (clay) pot
• Fine sandpaper
• Acrylic paint (washable paint works for younger kids but is less durable)
• A few brushes in different sizes

Method

The hardest part is deciding what to paint. You could also go freestyle with splashes and swirls.

1. Wash the pot and rinse off any dirt, then let it dry completely.
2. Sand the outside lightly until smooth, and wipe away the dust.
3. Paint designs with acrylics. Use fine brushes for details such as dots, flowers or paisley.
4. Let dry, then display it or use it as a pencil holder.

Diya Painting

Source: By The Craftables, “DIY Diwali Diya Decoraction Ideas in 10 Mins!” (https://thecraftables.com/diy-diyas/)

For a festive twist, swap the pot for a diya, a small clay lamp. Diyas are sold at many stores and online. Kids can paint the outside with the same materials.

Safety: paint only the outside and let it dry fully. If the diya will be lit, an adult should handle the flame and the oil, and the diya should sit on a stable, non-flammable surface. For young children, use an LED tea light inside instead.

2. Paper Plate Rangoli

Source: Inspired by Aparna @ Weaving Ideas, “Diwali Craft: Paper Plate Rangoli Idea for Kids” (http://www.theweavingideas.com/2016/10/diwali-craft-paper-plate-rangoli-idea-for-kids/)

What Is Rangoli?

Rangoli is a decorative floor art, traditionally made at the entrance to a home during festivals like Diwali. It is typically made from colored rice flour, colored powder or flower petals, either drawn freehand or traced with patterned tools. This version is a paper-plate take on it.

Ages 4+ | Easy | 30-45 minutes

Painted Version: Materials

• White paper plate
• Acrylic or washable tempera paint
• Brushes in different sizes
• Pencil, or stencils if you have them

Method

1. Optional: paint the plate with a base color and let it dry. Rangoli also looks bold on plain white.
2. Draw a pattern in pencil, such as a flower, a star or a circle with petals. If you painted a base coat, draw over the dry paint.
3. Fill the shapes with swirls and blocks of color. Let dry.

Alternative: Paper Collage Rangoli

Skip the paint and use colored paper instead.

Materials

• Paper plate
• 4-5 colors of craft paper
• Scissors (adult help for young kids)
• Craft glue and pencil

Method

1. Trace your design on the plate in pencil.
2. Cut strips and small shapes from colored paper.
3. Lay the pieces over the design before gluing, so you can fix the layout.
4. Glue each piece down and let dry. Sketch a border to make the pattern stand out.

3. Henna (Mehndi) Art on Paper

Source: By Becky @ Kid World Citizen, “‘Henna Hands:’ A Simple Craft” (https://kidworldcitizen.org/henna-hands-a-simple-craft/)

What Is Henna or Mehndi?

Henna is a plant dye used for centuries. In India it is called mehndi (also mehendi or mehandi). Leaves of the henna plant are dried, ground and made into a paste. The paste stains skin a reddish-brown, and it is used for festivals and weddings, including the tradition of applying designs to a bride’s hands. It also colors hair.

Ages 6+ | Easy | 30 minutes

Materials

• Pencil
• Thick paper, such as chart paper or cardstock
• A black pen or marker (or a henna cone for adults, see below)

Method

1. Place your non-dominant hand flat on the paper, fingers spread, and trace around it. Take extra care between the fingers. You can trace up the wrist to make a longer “arm”.
2. Lightly sketch a mehndi design inside the outline: flowers, paisleys, dots, vines, or a mandala on the palm.
3. Go over the pencil lines with a black pen or marker. You can color the design in, or keep it black and white.

Using Real Henna on Paper

You can draw on paper with a henna cone for an authentic feel. Henna paste stains clothes, tables and fingers, so cover the work area with newspaper, use thick paper and let it dry completely. An adult should handle the paste.

Henna on Skin: Safety First

Skip skin henna for kids unless an adult has checked the product. Never use “black henna”, which can contain a chemical (PPD) that causes serious skin reactions. Natural henna is reddish-brown. Henna can also cause a dangerous blood reaction in people with G6PD deficiency, a condition that may be unknown in young children, so avoid it on babies and small children. If you want a skin version, use washable markers or temporary-tattoo pens made for kids. A small patch test first is a good idea.

4. Block Print Craft

Source: By Vidya Nesarikar And Siddiqha Naseem @ Parent Circle, “5 easy Indian arts and crafts ideas for kids: Help your little ones gain an understanding of our rich culture” (https://www.parentcircle.com/easy-indian-arts-and-crafts-ideas-for-kids/article)

India has a long tradition of hand block printing on fabric. Carved wooden blocks dipped in dye or paint stamp repeating patterns onto cloth. Well-known printed and painted textile traditions include Bagh, Ajrakh and Kalamkari. You can buy wooden or rubber blocks at craft stores and fairs, or make stamps from vegetables.

Block Print on Fabric

Ages 5+ | Easy | 30 minutes

Materials

• Wooden or rubber print block
• Small piece of plain cotton fabric
• Fabric paint (or a stamp pad)
• Flat, wide brush

Method

1. Brush paint evenly onto the block so every part of the design is covered.
2. Lay the fabric flat on a protected surface.
3. Press the block face-down firmly for about 5 seconds, then lift it straight up.
4. Let dry, then follow the fabric paint label for setting the color (often ironing once dry).

Block Print on Paper

Ages 4+ | Easy | 20 minutes

Use a print block, acrylic or washable paint or an ink pad, a flat brush and paper. Paint the block (you can use several colors), press it down firmly on the paper for a few seconds and lift gently.

Vegetable Print Bonus

Ages 5+ with an adult carving | Easy | 30 minutes

No block? Use a potato, apple, pear or zucchini. Okra cut crosswise and leafy greens like bok choy also make natural prints.

Materials

• Vegetable or fruit
• Paper or fabric
• Poster or acrylic paint for paper, fabric paint for fabric
• Chopping board and a knife (adult only)

Method

1. An adult cuts the vegetable in half and carves a simple shape. Pat it dry.
2. Brush paint onto the cut face, or press it into a tray of paint or an ink pad. Shake off extra.
3. Press firmly onto the paper or fabric, then lift to reveal the print.

Tip: cover the work surface with newspaper to catch paint.

5. Paper Lantern Craft

Source: Inspired by Dr Archana Yeolekar @ School My Kids, “DIY Paper Lantern for Diwali – Easy Décor Ideas for Kids” (https://www.schoolmykids.com/activities/diy-paper-lantern-for-diwali)

Colorful paper lanterns hang from porches and are strung along streets during festivals like Diwali. This slit-and-roll lantern is a classic first paper craft.

Ages 6+ | Easy | 45 minutes

Materials

• Colorful craft paper
• Scissors, ruler and pencil
• Stapler or tape, and glue
• Decorations: stickers, ribbon, sequins, washi tape, buttons, beads (small parts are choking hazards for kids under 3)

Method

1. Start with a rectangular sheet (letter or A4). With an adult’s help, cut a 1-inch strip off the short side. This will be the handle.
2. Fold the rest in half lengthwise. Using a ruler, mark a line about an inch from the open edge as a cutting guide.
3. Cut straight slits from the fold up to the guide line, about an inch apart, stopping at the line.
4. Unfold the sheet. Decorate it and the handle with paint, borders, tape, sequins or paper flowers.
5. Bring the short edges together to form a tube, overlapping about half an inch, and staple or tape (adult help for staples).
6. Glue the handle ends inside the top of the lantern. Let dry and hang.

For an LED glow, place a battery tea light under the lantern. Avoid real flames near paper.

Bonus: Warli-Style Painting

Ages 5+ | Easy | 30 minutes

Warli is a folk art from the Maharashtra and Gujarat border region, traditionally painted in white on the walls of village huts using basic shapes like circles, triangles and squares. It is one of the easiest Indian art styles for kids to copy.

1. Choose a dark red-brown, black or terracotta-colored paper.
2. Use white paint, a white paint pen or white chalk to draw circles for heads and two triangles for bodies, joined at the tips. Add stick arms and legs.
3. Draw a village scene: dancing figures in a circle, trees, huts (squares with triangle roofs) and animals.

What Are Some Popular Crafts in India?

Traditional Indian handicrafts vary by region. Well-known ones include Madhubani painting (Bihar), Warli painting (Maharashtra and Gujarat), Pattachitra painting (Odisha), Kalamkari textiles (Andhra Pradesh), Channapatna lacquered wooden toys (Karnataka), Dhokra metal casting, Phulkari embroidery (Punjab), block-printed textiles and blue pottery. Many of these are made in villages and passed down through families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy Indian crafts for kids?

Pot painting, paper plate rangoli, henna-style paper hands, block printing and paper lanterns are all easy and need basic supplies. Warli-style painting is another quick one with just white paint and dark paper.

What are some popular crafts in India?

Madhubani and Warli painting, Pattachitra, Kalamkari and block-printed textiles, Channapatna toys, Dhokra metalwork, Phulkari embroidery and blue pottery are among the best known. Each tends to be linked to a particular region.

What are some easy Indian art projects for kids?

Try a Warli painting with white paint on dark paper, a rangoli on a paper plate, or a vegetable block print. All three use simple shapes and can be done in under an hour.

What are the top 10 handicrafts in India?

There is no official top 10, but commonly listed crafts include Madhubani painting, Warli painting, Pattachitra, Kalamkari, block printing, Channapatna toys, Dhokra, Phulkari embroidery, and blue pottery.

What are the major crafts in Indian villages?

Village crafts include pottery, weaving, embroidery, block printing, wall painting such as Warli and Madhubani, and metal casting like Dhokra. They often use local materials such as clay, cotton and natural dyes.

What are some good Indian handcrafted gifts?

Block-printed fabric, Channapatna wooden toys, hand-painted pottery, Phulkari embroidery and Madhubani or Warli paintings make good gifts. Look for items sold directly by artisans or cooperatives when you can.

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