India’s Independence Day Activities for Kids

Get ready to celebrate with colorful Independence Day crafts, videos, books, and fun facts to learn all about India with your child. A fun way to celebrate with your family and learn a little history too.

India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15th every year to commemorate the day in 1947 when India gained independence from British rule. The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who is considered to be the father of modern India.

Together you can discover and discuss as you help your child learn more about this significant date in history. Get started by exploring these activities, books, and videos that are all about India’s Independence Day.

India’s Independence Day Activities for Kids

India is a land of many cultures and languages, with over 1.4 billion people speaking over 120 different languages. India is the world’s largest democracy, and it is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

Here are a few fun facts to learn about India…

Fun Facts for Kids About India

• India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15th every year.
• India gained independence from British rule in 1947.
• The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The national flag of India is called the Tricolour.
• The national anthem of India is called Jana Gana Mana.
• India is a land of many cultures and languages.
• India is the world’s largest democracy.
• India is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

Bonus Fact: On January 26 Republic Day is celebrated and marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950.

Flag of India

The national flag of India is called the Tricolour. On the flag, the top band is of Saffron color, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace, purity, and truth with Ashok Chakra. The last band is green in color showing the fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land.

On August 16, 1947 India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the national flag and since then the tradition has been made and every year Prime Minister of India hoists the flag on August 15 at Red Fort.

Here’s a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the Indian flag for 2022 celebrations.

National Anthem of India – Jana Gana Mana

The national anthem of India is called Jana Gana Mana, and it is a song that celebrates the unity and diversity of India.

My favorite version of Jana Gana Mana is this when the great classical vocalists of India render the Indian National Anthem.

This video highlights young children dressed up as many of the freedom fighters during the time of India’s Independence.

The next video highlights the Sounds of India | A one of a kind National Anthem. It is a unique AI powered musical experiment, Prasar Bharati, Virtual Bharat and Google invited users from across India to sing our national anthem.

Here are 10 Things to Know About India’s National Anthem from Google Arts and Culture.

India’s Independence Day Crafts

One fun way to get the kids involved is to create colorful Independence Day crafts highlighting the flag colors of India. We’ve handpicked 17 activities that are good for all ages to celebrate India!

Which one will you make first?

India Bunting Kids Craft with Coffee Filters are inexpensive and so fun to color.

Indian Paper Flag make great Indian Independence Day Decorating Ideas or hand-held fans for kids!

Paper Fan Bunting in saffron, white and green are easy to make and perfect to hang up!

Paper Chain for Independence Day is a great inexpensive way to decorate.

3D Tricolored Snowflake Craft to hang around your room.

Using many hands you can create a Paint a Handprints India Flag.

Create a fine motor activity by Dot Painting the India Flag using Qtips.

Make your own Indian Flag Icecream Sticks.

Learn How to Draw and Color Map of India

Celebrate the special day by making India Flag Party Poppers.

Treasure your little one’s hand by making a Handprint India Flag.

Send eye-catching Independence Day Pop-Up Cards to a loved one.

Add glue and yard to cardboard to make a Tricolor Map of India with Yarn Pieces.

Using a cardboard India Map Outline with Tri-Colored Rice create a keepsake.

Find a clear container to create this Tricolor Map Craft with a Recycled Container.

Create a fun India Flag Rangoli with colored sand.

Get ready for kite flying by following this How to Make Tricolour Kite.

Make this delicious Indian samosas recipe for kids to share for Independence Day.

Once you’ve made a few crafts highlighting the Indian Flag, it’s time for a good book or two about India!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

India Books for Kids

One of my favorite ways to learn about something new with a child is with a book!

Here are my top picks of books about India for kids. This book list highlights non-fiction books about India. You can also find many Indian books for kids here on this book list.

My Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan

Illustrated Atlas of India: A Visual Guide to the Land, Its People and Culture by DK

A Children’s History of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta

Living in… India: Ready-to-Read Level 2 by Chloe Perkins

T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet by Varsha Bajaj

India (A True Book) by Sunita Apte

Saffron, White and Green: The Amazing Story of India’s Independence by Subhadra Sen Gupta

The History of India for Children from Prehistory to Sultantes (Vol 1) by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

The History of India for Children – from Mughals to the Present by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

The History of India for Children (Vol. 2): From The Mughals To The Present by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

A Flag, A Song And A Pinch Of Salt: Freedom Fighters Of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta

I am Gandhi (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer

You can find more books about India here for kids.

Historic Moments from Independence Day in 1947

For older children explore these resources available to look back at history with photos, videos, and books. All the resources linked in this Independence Day Guide are mom-approved and teacher-approved by me.

You can start with your peek back in history at these photos from Independence Day Celebrations 1947 from Google Arts and Culture.

Next you can listen to A Tryst with Destiny Speech by Prime Minister Nerhi on the eve of independence It is considered to be one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century.

Watch this video of PM Jawaharlal Nehru at first Independence Day at Red Fort, Delhi.

This year in history also marks the anniversary of the partition of the subcontinent into two countries, India and Pakistan, which occurred at midnight on August 14–15, 1947.

To make Independence Day for kids meaningful, tell them the story of India’s struggle for independence. Share stories of brave freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rani Laxmi Bai, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi and others, who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom.

For younger kids are you not sure where to start? Here’s How to Explain to Kids About the Importance of Independence Day in India.

Kids Videos Explaining India’s Independence Day

There are several age-appropriate videos to share with your child about Independence Day for India. Take a look below at our top video picks for kids.

I’m Independent | Independence Day Story | Independent Child | Jalebi Street 

Why we celebrate independence day Real story of India’s independence day

Indian Freedom Struggle | Pre Independence History of India | by Mocomi

Indian Independence Day Story in Hindi | Folktales – Hindi Stories

Indian Freedom Fighter | Know about Freedom Fighter by Rimi and Mimi

75 years in 2 minutes by Google India

75 years of Independence: the India story | The Hindu

Songs to Perform for Independence Day

One tradition for Independence Day is hosting performances. Here are a few that you could dance along to with your child. Check your local events to see if you have an Independence Day event in your community and join the celebration.

Independence Day Celebration | Cute little Kids | India Waale | G M Dance

India Waale X Suno Gaur Se | Patriotic Dance Video

Jai Ho Zumba Dance Video Tutorial

Independence Day Decorations

We had our local bakery make cupcakes to reflect the Indian Flag, there are so many fun ways to celebrate with your family and friends. Kite flying has also become an Independence Day tradition, with kites of various sizes, shapes, and colors filling the sky.

If you’re hosting, here are a few decorations you can also grab on Amazon for your celebration!

Places to Visit That Highlight India’s Independence

• Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
  The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since Independence and a narrative record of how each one has contributed to the development of our nation over the last 75 years. It is a history of collective effort and powerful evidence of the creative success of India’s democracy

• National Science Center in New Delhi
  One of the featured exhibits highlights the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the independence of the country will always be unforgettable. The merger of 565 princely states in India is the result of the efforts of Sardar Patel. It’s an attraction everyone should visit to truly understand India’s Independence Day history.

• India Gate
• National War Museum
• Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi
• Red Fort, Delhi

Here are some additional Museums that give a peak into the events of the Indian freedom struggle.

We hope that you have fun celebrating and learning more about Independence Day for India with your child.

HAVE AN IDEA? If you have any new resources or craft ideas to share, please let me know in the comments or email us! We’d love to include your Independence Day Ideas too!

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