DIY Fun: Durga Puja & Dussehra Special
A hands-on celebration of spirit, stories, and snacks!
A hands-on celebration of spirit, stories, and snacks!
TINA KHATRI
Step into a world where samosas bake golden in the oven, arrows fly (safely!) from handmade bows, goddesses ride lions through verses, and quiz questions test your festive flair. This Durga Puja and Dussehra, we’re mixing tradition with imagination through a set of fun-filled, creative activities for kids and families.
From crafting your own mini bow and arrow to baking bite-sized samosa pockets, solving a quick round of mythology trivia, and finishing with a fill-in-the-blanks poem that celebrates the victory of good over evil — this page brings festive joy to your fingertips.
Whether in a classroom, kitchen, or courtyard, these activities are designed to spark creativity, celebrate culture, and most importantly — have fun doing it together!
So sharpen your pencils, preheat that oven, and stretch your crafting string...
Let’s get this “Shubho” showdown started!
Baked Samosa Pockets
A healthier, oven-baked twist on the classic samosa — easy to make with kids and perfect for festive celebrations!
Ingredients:
Ready-made puff pastry sheets or whole wheat dough
2 boiled potatoes, mashed
1/2 cup peas (boiled)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chaat masala (optional)
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander
Oil for brushing
Steps:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Heat a little oil in a pan, add cumin seeds until they crackle.
Add mashed potatoes, peas, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and chaat masala. Cook for 5 minutes and mix well. Add coriander and remove from heat.
Roll out the dough or thaw puff pastry and cut into small squares.
Place a spoonful of the potato filling on each square, fold into a triangle, and seal edges by pressing with a fork.
Place samosa pockets on a baking tray, brush lightly with oil.
Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Cool slightly and serve with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.
Bow and Arrow for Dussehra
Materials You'll Need:
Bamboo skewers or craft sticks
Rubber bands
Paper straws or craft straws
Duct tape or aluminium tape
Pencil or marker
Optional: Safety scissors or child-safe knife
(Optional) Bowl of warm water (if using craft sticks)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Bow:
2. Gently bend a skewer to form a bow shape.
Tip: If using craft sticks, soak them in warm water for 10–15 mins to make them flexible.
3. Use a pencil to mark small notches at both ends of the skewer.
4. Carefully cut the notches (with adult help if needed) using child-safe scissors or a utility knife.
5. Attach a rubber band across the two notches to form the bowstring.
(Optional: Use string or cord for a traditional look.)
6. Make the Arrows:
7. Cut a paper straw or bamboo skewer to your desired arrow length.
8. On one end, cut a small notch — this is where the bowstring will sit.
9. For feathers (called fletching), fold a small piece of aluminium or craft tape and stick it to the other end of the arrow.
Trivia Time!
1) Which goddess is worshipped during Durga Puja?
2) What is the name of Ravana’s kingdom?
3) What fruit is often offered during Durga Puja?
4) What festival marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana?
5) Which animal is the vehicle of Goddess Durga?
6) Which flower is commonly used during Dussehra celebrations?
Answer Key
1) Durga
2) Lanka
3) Banana
4) Dussehra
5) Lion
6) Marigold
Step into a world where samosas bake golden in the oven, arrows fly (safely!) from handmade bows, goddesses ride lions through verses, and quiz questions test your festive flair. This Durga Puja and Dussehra, we’re mixing tradition with imagination through a set of fun-filled, creative activities for kids and families.
From crafting your own mini bow and arrow to baking bite-sized samosa pockets, solving a quick round of mythology trivia, and finishing with a fill-in-the-blanks poem that celebrates the victory of good over evil — this page brings festive joy to your fingertips.
Whether in a classroom, kitchen, or courtyard, these activities are designed to spark creativity, celebrate culture, and most importantly — have fun doing it together!
So sharpen your pencils, preheat that oven, and stretch your crafting string...
Let’s get this “Shubho” showdown started!
Baked Samosa Pockets
A healthier, oven-baked twist on the classic samosa — easy to make with kids and perfect for festive celebrations!
Ingredients:
Ready-made puff pastry sheets or whole wheat dough
2 boiled potatoes, mashed
1/2 cup peas (boiled)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chaat masala (optional)
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander
Oil for brushing
Steps:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Heat a little oil in a pan, add cumin seeds until they crackle.
Add mashed potatoes, peas, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and chaat masala. Cook for 5 minutes and mix well. Add coriander and remove from heat.
Roll out the dough or thaw puff pastry and cut into small squares.
Place a spoonful of the potato filling on each square, fold into a triangle, and seal edges by pressing with a fork.
Place samosa pockets on a baking tray, brush lightly with oil.
Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Cool slightly and serve with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.
Bow and Arrow for Dussehra
Materials You'll Need:
Bamboo skewers or craft sticks
Rubber bands
Paper straws or craft straws
Duct tape or aluminium tape
Pencil or marker
Optional: Safety scissors or child-safe knife
(Optional) Bowl of warm water (if using craft sticks)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Bow:
2. Gently bend a skewer to form a bow shape.
Tip: If using craft sticks, soak them in warm water for 10–15 mins to make them flexible.
3. Use a pencil to mark small notches at both ends of the skewer.
4. Carefully cut the notches (with adult help if needed) using child-safe scissors or a utility knife.
5. Attach a rubber band across the two notches to form the bowstring.
(Optional: Use string or cord for a traditional look.)
6. Make the Arrows:
7. Cut a paper straw or bamboo skewer to your desired arrow length.
8. On one end, cut a small notch — this is where the bowstring will sit.
9. For feathers (called fletching), fold a small piece of aluminium or craft tape and stick it to the other end of the arrow.
Trivia Time!
1) Which goddess is worshipped during Durga Puja?
2) What is the name of Ravana’s kingdom?
3) What fruit is often offered during Durga Puja?
4) What festival marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana?
5) Which animal is the vehicle of Goddess Durga?
6) Which flower is commonly used during Dussehra celebrations?
Answer Key
1) Durga
2) Lanka
3) Banana
4) Dussehra
5) Lion
6) Marigold
Fill-in-the-Blanks Poem
Durga’s strength is fierce and ____________ (1),
Her lion roars through the ____________ (2).
Ravana’s ten heads bow in ____________ (3),
Victory shines with ____________ (4) light.
Burning evil, welcoming ____________ (5),
Dussehra brings joy to ____________ (6).
Answer Key
1. strong
2. night
3. shame
4. bright
5. good
6. all
Durga’s strength is fierce and ____________ (1),
Her lion roars through the ____________ (2).
Ravana’s ten heads bow in ____________ (3),
Victory shines with ____________ (4) light.
Burning evil, welcoming ____________ (5),
Dussehra brings joy to ____________ (6).
Answer Key
1. strong
2. night
3. shame
4. bright
5. good
6. all