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Music & Movement

DIY Dandiya Sticks for Kids, Plus a Tap-a-Rhythm Game

Roll mini dandiya sticks from old newspaper in 15 minutes, then play a copy-the-rhythm game together. Easy Navratri fun for listening and counting.

  • Craft
  • Ages 3-8 · Preschool–Grade 2Ages 3-8 · Nursery–Year 3Ages 3-8 · Nursery–Class 2Ages 3-8
  • 6 things to gather
  • 8 steps
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Two newspaper dandiya sticks wrapped in bright tape with mirror stickers, ribbons and bells, on an embroidered cloth
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What Your Child Will Learn

  • Fine motor skills and hand strength from rolling the newspaper tightly and peeling tape
  • Early pattern work from choosing tape colours and spacing the mirrors
  • Listening, counting beats and holding a rhythm in memory
  • Patience and confidence from taking turns as the leader

How to make dandiya sticks and play

8 steps

Before you start

These DIY dandiya sticks for kids are made from old newspaper, a little tape and a few sparkly extras. Make two sticks for each player, which takes about 15 minutes.

Once the sticks are ready, play the tap-a-rhythm game: you tap a pattern, your child copies it, then you swap. Keep the first rounds short and slow, and cheer every copy, even the wobbly ones.

  1. Step 1: Gather everything first: Put the newspaper, tape, stickers, ribbon, bells and glue on one tray. Sorting the bits before you start keeps the craft calm and tidy.

  2. Step 2: Roll the newspaper into a stick: Start at one corner and roll the sheet as tightly as you can into a thin stick. Glue down the last edge and hold it for a few seconds. Make two.

  3. Step 3: Wrap them in bright tape: Wind washi tape round each stick in stripes. Mixing two or three colours makes a pattern your child can name as they go.

  4. Step 4: Decorate with mirrors, ribbon and bells: Press mirror stickers along the tape, then tie a few ribbons and a small bell to one end of each stick. The bells jingle on every tap.

  5. Step 5: Tap a pattern: Sit facing each other with a pair of sticks each. Start with something short, such as tap-tap-clap, and say it out loud as you play it.

  6. Step 6: Copy it back: Your child taps the same pattern back with their sticks. If it is not quite right, play it once more, slowly.

  7. Step 7: Swap over: Now your child makes up a pattern and you copy it. Children love being the leader.

  8. Step 8: Add one more beat: Tap-tap-clap becomes tap-tap-clap-tap. Each round gets a little longer, so there is more to remember.

More ideas to extend

  • Idea 1

    Little ones: roll the sticks for them and let them do the tape and stickers.

  • Idea 2

    Little ones: use a short cardboard tube instead of newspaper, and skip the bells if small parts are a worry.

  • Idea 3

    Little ones: start the game with just two taps, and copy them together.

  • Idea 4

    Older kids: copy patterns of six beats or more, with eyes closed.

  • Idea 5

    Older kids: write a pattern as symbols (T for tap, C for clap) for someone else to play.

  • Idea 6

    Play it fast, slow and whisper-quiet. Whisper-quiet taps are a good way to wind down.

More pictures

  • Gather

    Gather

  • Roll the newspaper into a stick

    Roll the newspaper into a stick

  • Decorate with mirrors, ribbon and bells

    Decorate with mirrors, ribbon and bells

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