π‘ Ideas
10 easy handmade rakhi ideas for kids
π¨ Crafts to make Β· My Little Moppet
Ten handmade rakhis, from a toddler-friendly sticker rakhi to foam, button and simple thread designs.
Open on My Little Moppet βSisters tie a pretty rakhi bracelet on their brothers' wrists as a promise to always look after each other.
Kids can make their own rakhis for Raksha Bandhan, the Hindu festival celebrating brothers and sisters. Easy ideas include a braided thread rakhi on a cardboard loom, a beaded thread rakhi, a fluffy wool pom-pom rakhi and a sticker rakhi for toddlers. Children can also make a handmade rakhi card or a no-cook edible rakhi.
When is Raksha Bandhan in the UK 2027? Tuesday 17 August 2027. (approximate: the date can vary with the moon or by community)
Raksha Bandhan, often called Rakhi, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love between brothers and sisters. Raksha means protection and bandhan means tie. A sister ties a rakhi, a bracelet traditionally made of thin cotton thread, around her brother's wrist, and he promises to protect and care for her and gives her a gift. Several stories are remembered at Raksha Bandhan. One tells how Draupadi tore a strip from her sari to bandage Krishna's cut finger, and Krishna promised to help her in return. Another tells how the goddess Lakshmi tied a rakhi on King Bali. Today rakhis range from simple threads to very colourful designs, which makes them a perfect craft for children. Hindus in India and around the world celebrate in lots of different ways. In the UK, families mark the day at home and at mandirs such as Neasden Temple in London. The date follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in August, but it can vary slightly between calendars, so check with your local mandir.
In 2027 Raksha Bandhan falls on Tuesday 17 August, according to the National Council of Hindu Priests UK festival calendar.
Date checked against hinducounciluk.org.
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π¨ Crafts to make Β· My Little Moppet
Ten handmade rakhis, from a toddler-friendly sticker rakhi to foam, button and simple thread designs.
Open on My Little Moppet βπ¨ Crafts to make Β· Kasiga School
Foam flower, ribbon and button rakhi ideas from a school in India, with simple materials lists.
Open on Kasiga School βπ¨ Crafts to make Β· Red Ted Art
Braid wool on a homemade cardboard loom: a simple way for even preschoolers to make a thread rakhi.
Open on Red Ted Art βπ¨ Crafts to make Β· The Joy of Sharing
Wrap wool around your fingers to make a pom-pom, add a button and tie it to a braid for a soft rakhi.
Open on The Joy of Sharing βπ¨ Crafts to make Β· Red Ted Art
Step-by-step beaded rakhi made from embroidery thread, wooden beads and simple knots.
Open on Red Ted Art βπ¨ Crafts to make Β· Hobbycraft
Beginner knotted bracelet patterns in embroidery thread, ideal for older children making a thread rakhi.
Open on Hobbycraft βπ The story Β· BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London
How a London mandir marks Raksha Bandhan and other festivals through the year.
Open on BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London βπ The story Β· Hindu Council UK
A UK Hindu organisation explains the meaning of Rakhi and other festivals for parents and teachers.
Open on Hindu Council UK βπ The story Β· BBC Newsround
What Raksha Bandhan is, the story of Krishna and Draupadi, and how families celebrate around the world.
Open on BBC Newsround βπ« EYFS, KS1 & KS2 Β· BBC CBBC
A quick quiz for older children to test what they know about Rakhi.
Open on BBC CBBC βπ« EYFS, KS1 & KS2 Β· BBC Teach
Free assembly video: Vraj and Simran explain rakhis, promises and the story of Lakshmi and King Bali.
Open on BBC Teach βπ‘οΈ Grown-up rules Β· Child Accident Prevention Trust
Keep beads, buttons and anything smaller than a 2p coin away from little ones.
Open on Child Accident Prevention Trust βπͺ Food & treats Β· My Little Moppet
No-cook edible rakhi made with dried figs, sugar-coated fennel seeds and ribbon to make together.
Open on My Little Moppet βTap the β on any template to save it here. Your plan stays on this device.
A simple make to start with. Grown-ups handle anything sharp or hot.
Based on redtedart.com.
Simple ways to keep Raksha Bandhan crafts safe and fun.
Anything smaller than a 2p coin, such as beads and buttons, can choke a young child, so keep them away from under-threes.Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
Whole nuts shouldn't be given to children under five, so chop or flake any nuts in festive sweets.Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
Check for food allergies before sharing sweets, as milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts are common triggers.NHS
If you light a diya for the celebrations, never leave it unattended and keep it out of children's reach.London Fire Brigade
One short email before Raksha Bandhan with the best free templates and ideas. For grown-ups, no spam, unsubscribe any time.
The bits you need for these crafts, on Amazon UK. See the full Raksha Bandhan shop β
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Toddlers can make a simple rakhi by sticking puffy stickers or a big foam flower onto a length of ribbon, with no threading needed. A cardboard loom bracelet works well from preschool age, and a rakhi card with a drawn or stuck-on rakhi is easy for everyone. Save small beads and buttons for older children, as they are a choking risk for under-threes.
Embroidery thread, wool or ribbon makes the band. For the centre, try a pom-pom, a felt or foam flower, a large button, chunky wooden beads or a card shape. You'll also need child-safe scissors, glue and a blunt tapestry needle if threading beads. For rakhi cards, folded card, felt-tips, glitter glue and scraps of ribbon are all you need.
Yes. BBC Teach has a free Raksha Bandhan assembly video in which two children explain how they celebrate, and CBBC has a short quiz for older pupils. In class, children can make simple ribbon or loom rakhis, design a rakhi card, and talk about promises and caring for brothers, sisters and friends, which links nicely to personal, social and emotional development.
Yes. Most rakhi crafts don't need a template at all, just thread, ribbon and decorations. If you print a card design or a loom circle, A4 card works well; choose 'fit to page' in your print settings so nothing gets cut off. A cereal box also makes a sturdy, free alternative for the cardboard loom disc.
Beads, buttons and sequins are choking hazards for children under three, so use big pom-poms or ribbon for little ones. Tie rakhis loosely so they slip on and off easily, and supervise any work with needles or scissors. If you share sweets, check for allergies first and chop or flake nuts for under-fives. Never leave a lit diya unattended.