How to choose a Navratri gift for a child
Four questions narrow it down quickly:
- How old are they? Under 6, choose big pictures, things to touch and nothing with small parts. From 7 to 10, they can handle longer stories, craft kits and games with rules.
- Will it be used after Dussehra? A book gets re-read; a one-night costume piece may not.
- Does it fit the festival? Navratri is nine nights of stories, colour and dance. Gifts that add to that feel right.
- Do the parents already have it? If you can, ask. A quick message to a parent avoids duplicates.
12 Navratri gift ideas for kids
Stories and books
- A storybook about the goddess of the day. We publish the Navadurga Series, so weigh our opinion accordingly: one picture book per goddess, for ages 4–10, with Books 1–6 (Shailputri to Katyayani) available now at ₹200 each, or as sets of three (Books 1–3 or Books 4–6) for ₹500. Delivery is free across India.
- An illustrated collection of Indian myths. Look for short stories, large print and real illustrations. Skip anything dense with text for children under six.
- A "my Navratri diary" notebook. A blank journal for drawing the goddess of each night. It works best when paired with a book.
Festive wear and dance
- A festive outfit for garba. A kurta set or lehenga-choli. Choose soft cotton and comfort over heavy embellishment; they'll wear it for hours.
- Dandiya sticks. A child-size pair, light and smooth. Check the ends are rounded.
- A garba or dandiya class (or a family garba night). An experience gift, good for children who already have plenty of things.
Craft and colour
- A diya-painting kit. Plain clay diyas plus paints. The finished diya doubles as home decoration.
- Rangoli stencils and colours. Check the pack says non-toxic, especially for under-sevens.
- A colouring or sticker book on gods and goddesses. Easy, low-cost, good for travel and long evenings.
Together-time and treats
- A board game or jigsaw puzzle. Navratri evenings are long, and a game gives the whole family something to do after aarti.
- A child-size pooja thali or a mini mandir corner kit. For children who like to "help" with the puja and want something of their own.
- A box of sweets or dry fruits with a handwritten note. Easy to gift to neighbours and friends. Check for allergies first.
Which gift for which age?
| Age | Good picks |
|---|---|
| 4–6 | Picture books, stickers, diya painting, child-size dandiya, festive outfit |
| 7–10 | Longer story series, craft kits, board games, a garba class, a diary |
A thoughtful gift doesn't need to be expensive. One storybook and a handwritten note often beats a large box of toys.
What we'd skip
- Toys with small parts for children under five.
- Anything very noisy, if you don't know the family well.
- Gifts that are only useful on one night. Kids notice when it's gone by Dussehra.
When to order for Navratri 2026
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from 11 to 19 October, with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on 20 October. If you want a gift in hand during the nine nights, order as early as you can. We dispatch within 1 day, and courier time then depends on the city. The same goes for any shop you buy from.
Gifting our books
If you choose the Navadurga books, tick "This is a gift" in the cart and add a short message (up to 250 characters). We'll put it on a card. See the Navratri gift page for the set, or read our guide to the nine forms of Durga to see which goddess suits which night.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Navratri gift for a 5-year-old?
A picture book about the goddess of the day, a diya-painting or colouring kit, a pair of child-size dandiya sticks, or a festive outfit they can twirl in. At five, look for big pictures, short text and nothing with tiny parts.
What do you give kids for Kanya Pujan?
Small, useful, identical gifts for every girl: a storybook, stationery, hair accessories or a colouring book. We have a separate list of Kanya Pujan gift ideas, including how to plan for nine.
Can I send a Navratri gift to someone else's address?
Yes. On our checkout, enter the recipient's address as the delivery address and tick "This is a gift" to add a short message for a card. We deliver across India only, and dispatch within 1 day.