Children's Day ideas: 10 screen-free ways to celebrate at home

Children's Day does not need a big plan. Young children remember the feeling of a day made just for them far more than the cost of it. Here are ten simple ideas you can do at home with things you already have.

Ten ideas

1. Let your child run the day. Give them three choices to make: breakfast, a game, and a bedtime story.
2. Build a blanket fort. Cushions, sheets and a torch are enough. Read inside it.
3. Cook something together. Rolling chapati dough or decorating a plain cake is play for a small child.
4. Do a treasure hunt. Hide five small things and give picture clues for children who cannot read yet.
5. Make a "me" poster. Trace their hand, add their favourite colour, food and animal.
6. Play their favourite game, their way. For one day, let them make the rules, as long as everyone agrees.
7. Have a picnic on the floor. A mat, a few snacks, no phones.
8. Dress-up show. Old dupattas, caps and bags become a costume box. Perform for the family.
9. Call a grandparent. Let your child tell them one thing they are proud of.
10. Give a certificate. Print the one below and fill in their name and a special thing they did this year.

Keep it simple

Pick two or three of these, not all ten. A short, relaxed day works better than a packed one, and children this age tire quickly. If something is not working, move on without fuss.

Free printable

We made a colourful A4 certificate you can print at home and fill in by hand. Add your child's name, write one thing they did well this year, and let them colour the border.

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