12 Fun Holi Activities For Kids in School

Holi is one of the most joyful festivals, loved by children for its bright colours, playful energy, and happy moments. The festival brings a feeling of togetherness, laughter, and celebration that children naturally enjoy.

With its cheerful spirit, Holi creates the perfect opportunity to plan fun and meaningful Holi activities for school that are safe, engaging, and inclusive. Schools can turn this vibrant festival into a meaningful experience by planning age-appropriate ideas that encourage participation and teamwork.

Simple games, art projects, and festive ideas can make Holi memorable without unnecessary complexity. In this blog, you’ll find 12 fun Holi activities for kids in school that are easy to plan, safe to enjoy, and full of colour, smiles, and festive excitement.

Why is Holi Celebrated?

Holi is celebrated to remind us that good always wins over evil and to welcome the arrival of spring. One popular story associated with Holi is about a young boy named Prahlad. His devotion to Lord Vishnu angered his father, King Hiranyakashipu.

To harm Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to sit in a fire with the child. However, Prahlad remained unharmed, while Holika was burned. This story teaches children to stand by what is right.

Holi is also connected to the playful story of Lord Krishna and Radha. Krishna loved playing with colours and shared this joy with Radha and his friends. This is why Holi is celebrated by playing with colours and spreading happiness.

Holi also marks the end of winter and the start of spring, a season of new beginnings and fresh energy. It encourages people to forgive, forget past differences, and begin anew with joy and togetherness.

Also Read: 12 Republic Day Activities For Students

How is Holi Celebrated in India?

Holi is celebrated with great colour and enthusiasm across India. In many regions, celebrations begin with Holika Dahan, a day before Holi, where a small bonfire is lit. This ritual symbolises the burning away of negativity and bad habits, encouraging people to choose positive actions. The following day is Rangwali Holi, when people play with dry and wet colours, sing traditional songs, and dance.

People also share sweets and snacks such as gujiya, malpua, mathri, and pakoras, along with drinks like thandai, with neighbours, friends, and family. Different states have their own unique customs, but the feeling of togetherness remains the same everywhere.

In schools, Holi celebrations are planned carefully to keep children safe and comfortable while introducing them to meaningful Holi festival activities in a controlled environment.

Holi Activities for Kids in School

1. DIY Pichkari Craft

Children can make paper pichkaris using chart paper, scissors, and glue under teacher supervision. Teachers can guide them to cut simple shapes, roll paper tubes, and decorate their pichkaris using crayons, stickers, or paper cut-outs.

This activity improves fine motor skills, helps children follow step-by-step instructions, and allows them to connect creatively with the festival through a simple activity for Holi festival celebrations in classrooms.

2. Storytelling About Holi

Teachers can narrate simple and age-appropriate stories about Holi using picture books, puppets, or flashcards. The focus should be on positive values such as kindness, honesty, friendship, and togetherness.

Children learn about the festival’s meaning in a calm setting while improving listening skills, imagination, and the ability to understand moral lessons through storytelling.

Also Read: 15 Christmas Activities For Kids in School

3. Holi Dance Party

Playing cheerful Holi songs and allowing children to dance freely creates excitement and joy. Teachers can demonstrate simple steps or encourage children to move naturally without rules.

This activity helps children express themselves physically, healthily release energy, and enjoy group participation while building confidence and social interaction without competition or pressure.

4. Handprint Holi Art or Finger Painting

Children can dip their fingers or palms in safe, washable colours and create patterns, flowers, or abstract designs on paper. Teachers can later display the artwork on classroom walls or boards.

This popular Holi activity for kids encourages creativity, sensory exploration, and self-expression while helping children feel relaxed and confident with colours.

5. Dry Colour Play

Under close supervision, children can gently apply dry colours on paper sheets, chart paper, or on each other’s hands. Using herbal and skin-safe colours ensures safety.

This activity introduces children to traditional Holi colour play in a controlled manner while teaching them rules, responsibility, and respect for personal boundaries during celebrations.

6. Holi Greeting Card

Children can create greeting cards by folding paper and decorating them with drawings, stickers, or thumbprints using bright colours. Teachers can help children write simple Holi wishes or short messages inside the cards.

This festive idea works especially well as a Holi activity for kindergarten classrooms, where children enjoy simple creative expression and sharing handmade gifts.

7. Colour the T-Shirt Activity

Schools can provide paper cut-outs shaped like T-shirts for younger children or allow older students to decorate real fabric using fabric crayons or markers.

Children enjoy choosing colours and patterns to personalise their designs. This activity builds creativity, decision-making skills, and pride as children see their artwork displayed or worn later.

Also Read: When is Children’s Day: History, Significance & Celebration

8. Holi Dress-Up Contest

Children can dress in colourful outfits or traditional Holi attire, such as white kurtas or vibrant clothing. Teachers can ask simple questions about colours, clothing choices, or festival traditions.

This activity builds confidence, encourages self-expression, and helps children understand cultural dressing while maintaining a friendly and stress-free environment.

9. Holi Quiz for Kids

A short and simple quiz with questions about Holi colours, stories, or traditions keeps children curious and engaged. Teachers can use pictures, flashcards, or oral questions to include younger students. This interactive activity makes learning fun, improves memory, and helps children gain basic knowledge about the festival enjoyably.

10. Colourful Holi Snack and Sweet Decorations

Instead of handling real food, children can decorate paper cut-outs of sweets like gujiya or laddoos using coloured paper, crayons, or stickers.

This activity introduces festive food concepts while maintaining hygiene and safety. It also encourages creativity and helps children learn about traditional Holi treats playfully.

11. Make Your Own Colour Powder

Teachers can demonstrate how colours were traditionally made using natural ingredients like flowers, turmeric, or leaves. Children can observe, touch samples, and discuss the process.

This activity promotes eco-friendly thinking, teaches children about safe celebrations, and helps them understand the importance of using natural colours during festivals like Holi.

12. Holi Art and Painting

Children can draw scenes of people celebrating Holi, colourful splashes, spring flowers, or joyful faces. Teachers should encourage free drawing without correcting shapes or colours.

This calm activity balances energetic celebrations, allows emotional expression, and helps children relax while developing imagination, creativity, and confidence in their artistic abilities.

Also Read: 15 Fun Diwali Activities for Kids at School & Home

Conclusion

Holi celebrations in school are about much more than colours. They help children learn values, express creativity, and enjoy cultural traditions safely. Simple activities make the festival enjoyable without overwhelming students.

Schools like DPS Gurugram focus on balanced celebrations that blend fun with meaningful learning. When children celebrate Holi together in school, they learn cooperation, joy, and respect, making the festival meaningful long after the colours have faded.