India, one of the biggest democracies in the world, celebrates its Independence Day on the 15th of August. It is the day of national celebration and when Indians remember the sacrifices made by their ancestors in attaining freedom. It is an occasion to introduce them to Independence day activities for kids that reflect the essence of this special day. In this MomJunction post, we present a list of 16 activities to mark the day.
Independence Day Activities For Kids
1. Flag hoisting
Independence Day (I-Day) celebrations begin with the hoisting of the national flag that signifies the nation’s pride and dignity. You may take your child to the flag hoisting ceremony held in your locality or school. Encourage them to participate in the event. Make them sing the national anthem along with everyone.
2. March-past
March-past is a parade or procession that is usually arranged on Independence Day to inculcate the team spirit among children. As a teacher or a parent, take up the initiative to organize the march-past in the school or your locality. Give children time to practice their marching skills before the final event. The march-past is performed in sync with a loud drill and after the hoisting of the tricolor flag.
3. Painting and drawing competitions
These competitions add fun and are a wonderful way to encourage creativity in kids. You may organize painting and drawing competitions on topics of I-Day. Take topics that emphasize the theme of freedom and motivate children to express their feelings through colors.
4. Patriotic skits and plays
Skits and plays could make the Independence Day celebration more cheerful. Stage a play with your kid around a script demonstrating patriotism or enacting the life of any famous freedom fighter. Teachers can use this activity to give a broader view of history and freedom fighters’ role to the children.
5. Patriotic singing
There are several patriotic songs in multiple languages. Get the lyrics printed on paper and make children sing in groups. Explain the meaning of the songs to instill the feeling of love and respect for the country.
6. Cultural dance
This activity can connect children from various cultural backgrounds. Your child can participate in the various dance events conducted as a part of I-Day celebrations. Arrange a dance instructor so that the children can learn the right steps beforehand. Indian dance forms such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, and more could be amalgamated into a single chain of dances.
7. Patriotic costume contest
It is fun to dress up as a famous freedom fighter or as an Indian soldier in the fancy dress competition. It will be a platform for your kid to learn about historical personalities and the freedom struggle. The activity could be made more colorful by including unique items such as a walking stick and spectacles for Mahatma Gandhi, a rose for Nehru, and a cap for Subhash Chandra Bose.
8. Quiz contest
Create an I-Day quiz for children. Make questions based on freedom fighters, history, events during the freedom struggle, and important dates of remembrance. It can increase the child’s interest and knowledge about India.
9. Independence Day movie marathon
Watch patriotic movies together at home or screen it, using projectors in the school auditorium. There are many good movies you can watch with your children. Some of them are Border, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, and Mangal Pandey, and a few others in the regional languages. These movies are impactful and could make your kid conscious about patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice displayed by our freedom fighters.
10. Independence Day theme party
Involve your children in making theme decorations with color combinations of the national flag and related national symbols. As a teacher or an organizer, you may prepare theme-based dishes such as tricolor sandwiches, pasta, or salads, and plan theme-based party games.
11. Flag relay race
It is a regular relay race, but instead of using a baton, the kids pass the national flag. It is an excellent physical activity too. Children can learn about teamwork while also enjoying the spirit of I-Day.
12. T-shirt painting
You may make your kids paint their own T-shirts instead of getting them a store-bought tricolor T-shirt. They could either paint a flag on a white T-shirt or make palm impressions of saffron and green colors. These personalized paintings on the T-shirts could bring out the creative skills of your child.
13. Historic walk in your city
You may research about historic places in your city that hold traces of freedom struggle. Plan a trip with your children so that they get a better knowledge of the place. You may ask them to browse and learn about the place before visiting it. Give an assignment to note down the observations after the visit.
14. Crossword puzzle
This game increases the knowledge of the national day. Create a crossword puzzle containing words associated with I-Day such as patriotism, freedom, Father of the nation, the name of freedom fighters, freedom movements, and more. Set up the game amongst the kids or various teams of children.
15. Flag making with pulses
Involving your child in this craft activity could help them understand the significance of various colors of the national flag. All they need for this activity is paper, glue, and three types of pulses (masoor dal for saffron, moong dal for green, and urad dal for white). You may ask them to try different shapes of tricolor. Help them draw the shape on the paper, and stick the pulses according to the national flag colors.
16. Making the Independence Day guide
Work along with children by collecting pictures, fact sheets, and graphics related to the nation and independence. Pick things such as the national flag, national bird, national anthem, national animal, freedom fighters, and more. Ask them to stick on a scrapbook or help them in making a PowerPoint presentation. These Independence Day activities for kids are a great way to help them understand how India became an independent nation. As a parent or a teacher, set an example for your children by accompanying them to flag hoisting events or telling them about how the nation achieved freedom. These activities may eventually help children appreciate their freedom and independence bestowed on us by our ancestors.
