Looking for fun Onam games for kids? From easy indoor games and exciting outdoor races to Pookalam challenges, quizzes and group activities, these Onam game ideas are perfect for children celebrating at home, school or with family and friends. Whether you want traditional-inspired games or simple activities that need very little preparation, here are 40 fun ways to make Onam celebrations extra memorable for kids.
Jump To: Best Onam Games for Kids | Indoor Onam Games for Kids | Outdoor Onam Games for Kids | Group Onam Games for Children | Onam Activities & Crafts for Kids
Best Onam Games for Kids
Start with these fun Onam-themed games that bring together flowers, Pookalam, King Mahabali, Vallam Kali and other festive elements children can easily enjoy.
1. Onam Bingo
Create Bingo cards featuring Onam symbols such as Pookalam, flowers, banana leaves, King Mahabali and snake boats. Call out the pictures one by one, and the first child to complete a row wins.
2. Pookalam Making Challenge
Give children flower petals or colorful paper pieces and ask them to create their own small Pookalam designs. You can give prizes for the most colorful, creative or neatly arranged design.
3. Flower Scavenger Hunt
Hide different flowers or artificial flower petals around the house, classroom or garden. Give children clues and let them race to collect everything they need to make a mini Pookalam.
4. Mini Vallam Kali
Let kids decorate small paper or toy boats and race them in a tub or shallow pool of water. Children can gently blow their boats towards the finish line without touching them.
5. Mahabali Says
Give the classic Simon Says game an Onam twist by calling it “Mahabali Says.” Kids should perform an action only when the instruction begins with “Mahabali says.”
6. Onam Trivia Quiz
Ask children simple questions about King Mahabali, Pookalam, Onam Sadya, Vallam Kali and Kerala. Divide them into teams and award one point for every correct answer.
7. Onam Treasure Hunt
Hide Onam-themed objects such as flowers, paper boats, banana-leaf cutouts and Mahabali pictures. Give children simple clues that lead them from one festive object to the next.
8. Pookalam Relay
Divide kids into teams and place flower petals at one end of the room or playground. One player at a time runs to collect a flower and brings it back until the team has enough to complete its Pookalam.
Indoor Onam Games for Kids
These indoor Onam games for kids are easy to organise at home, in classrooms or at small family gatherings, especially when outdoor space is limited.
9. Onam Memory Game
Create matching cards featuring Onam symbols such as flowers, boats, banana leaves and festive food. Place them face down and let children take turns finding matching pairs.
10. Onam Puzzle Hunt
Hide pieces of an Onam-themed puzzle around the room. Once children find all the pieces, they must work together to assemble the complete picture.
11. Onam Word Scramble
Scramble simple words such as ONAM, POOKALAM, SADYA, KERALA and MAHABALI. Give kids a limited amount of time to unscramble as many words as possible.
12. Kerala Food Guessing Game
Show children pictures of popular Kerala and Onam dishes and ask them to guess their names. Keep the questions simple for younger kids and make them harder for older children.
13. Onam Story Dice
Create dice with pictures of flowers, boats, King Mahabali, food and other Onam symbols. Children roll the dice and use the pictures they get to create a short, funny story.
14. Onam Picture Guessing Game
Show children a small or partially hidden section of an Onam-related picture. Let them guess whether it is a Pookalam, snake boat, Sadya, Mahabali or another festive symbol.
15. Onam Chinese Whispers
Start with a funny Onam-related sentence and whisper it to the first child. The message is passed around the group until the final player says aloud what they heard.
16. Musical Chairs With Onam Songs
Arrange chairs in a circle and play festive Kerala or Onam music. When the music stops, everyone must find a chair, with one chair removed after every round.
Outdoor Onam Games for Kids
If you have a garden, terrace, school ground or open space, these outdoor Onam games can get children moving while keeping the celebration festive.
17. Lemon-and-Spoon Race
Give every child a spoon and lemon and ask them to reach the finish line without dropping it. Make it harder for older kids by adding simple obstacles along the way.
18. Sack Race
Give children sacks and mark a start and finish line. Kids hop towards the finish while remaining inside their sacks, and the first one across wins.
19. Flower Toss Game
Place baskets or hoops at different distances and let children toss artificial flowers or soft flower-shaped bean bags into them. Award more points for targets placed farther away.
20. Banana Leaf Relay
Divide children into teams and give each team a banana leaf or a green paper cutout. Players must carry it to a marked point and back before handing it to the next teammate.
21. Pookalam Chalk Challenge
Give children colorful chalk and let them draw Pookalam-inspired patterns on the pavement. You can award fun titles such as Most Colorful, Most Creative and Best Team Design.
22. Tug of War – Vadamvali
Divide older children into two balanced teams for a friendly tug-of-war inspired by the traditional Onam favourite, Vadamvali. Make sure the playing area is clear and children are supervised by adults.
23. Onam Obstacle Relay
Create a simple course where kids run around cones, balance a flower on a spoon and finish by placing a petal into a Pookalam. The team that completes the course first wins.
24. Flower Collecting Race
Scatter artificial flowers across a safe playing area and divide children into teams. Players race one at a time to collect a flower, and the team with the most flowers at the end wins.
Group Onam Games for Children
Planning an Onam celebration at school or with a large family? These group Onam games for children encourage teamwork, laughter and friendly competition.
25. Onam Dumb Charades
Write simple Onam-related words or actions on slips of paper. One child acts out the clue without speaking while teammates try to guess the answer.
26. Onam Action Bingo
Instead of numbers, fill Bingo cards with actions such as dance, clap, pretend to row a boat or make a flower shape. Kids mark a square after completing each action.
27. Vallam Kali Team Race
Divide children into teams and ask them to sit in rows as if they are inside a snake boat. They must pretend to row together in rhythm while moving or completing a fun team challenge.
28. Onam Costume Parade
Invite kids to come dressed in traditional Kerala attire or festive outfits. Let each child walk in a mini parade while everyone cheers, with fun awards for creativity and festive spirit.
29. Onam Dance Freeze
Play festive music and let children dance freely. Whenever the music stops, everyone must freeze instantly, and anyone who keeps moving sits out for that round.
30. King Mahabali Story Chain
One child begins an Onam story with a sentence about King Mahabali. Each child adds another sentence, creating a funny and unpredictable group story.
31. Onam Passing the Parcel
Wrap a small gift in several layers and play Onam music while children pass it around. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel removes one layer and completes a fun festive challenge.
32. Onam Team Quiz
Divide children into teams and ask easy questions about Onam traditions, Pookalam, Kerala, King Mahabali and festive food. The team with the highest score wins.
Onam Activities & Crafts for Kids
Not every child wants a competitive game. These creative Onam activities for kids are ideal for quieter celebrations, classrooms and craft corners.
33. Flower Garland Making
Give children artificial flowers, thread or child-safe craft materials and help them make simple flower garlands. They can use their creations as festive decorations afterwards.
34. Onam Greeting Cards
Set up a card-making station with blank cards, crayons, stickers and flower decorations. Kids can create personalized Onam greetings for family members, friends or teachers.
35. Pookalam Bead Art
Let children recreate simple Pookalam patterns using colorful beads, buttons or paper circles. Younger children can follow a prepared pattern while older kids create their own designs.
36. Leaf Printing
Collect different safe leaves and use washable paint to create leaf prints on paper. Kids can arrange the prints into floral or Pookalam-inspired patterns.
37. Onam Pot Painting
Provide small clay pots and let children decorate them with flowers, Pookalam patterns and bright festive colors. Once dry, the pots can become part of the Onam decor.
38. Paper Boat Making
Teach children how to fold simple paper boats inspired by Kerala’s famous Vallam Kali. They can color and decorate their boats before displaying or racing them.
39. Onam Coloring Pages
Give children coloring sheets featuring King Mahabali, Pookalam, snake boats and other Onam scenes. Display the finished artwork around the house or classroom.
40. Onam Collage Art
Provide colored paper, flower cutouts, magazines and glue and ask kids to create their own Onam collage. They can include Pookalam, boats, festive food and anything else they associate with the celebration.
More Onam Games & Celebration Ideas
Planning Onam celebrations for different age groups? Also explore our: Onam Games for Office Employees, and Onam Quiz Questions & Answers.
You can also explore: Onam Pookalam & Rangoli Ideas | Happy Onam Wishes & Quotes | Onam Captions for Instagram
From indoor Onam games for kids to outdoor races, group challenges and creative activities, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained throughout the celebration. Pick a few games based on the children’s ages, available space and group size, and make this Onam a fun one for everyone!