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Looking for an easy Rakhi your child can make at home or for a school Rakhi-making competition? These 15 handmade Rakhi ideas use simple supplies such as felt, foam, wool, beads, ribbon and paper. From vehicle and animal Rakhis to pom-pom, quilled and silk-thread designs, there are ideas here for preschoolers, elementary kids and older children.

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond of love, care and affection between siblings. Traditionally, a sister ties a Rakhi around her brother’s wrist and families exchange blessings, sweets and gifts. In many families today, Rakhis may also be exchanged between sisters, cousins and other loved ones as a symbol of affection and mutual care.

In 2026, Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, August 28. The festival is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, so the Gregorian date changes each year.

15 Easy DIY Rakhi Ideas for Kids to Make at Home

Handmade Rakhi Ideas at a Glance

• Best for: Ages 4–12
• Use for: Home, school, Rakhi-making competition and best-out-of-waste activities
• Time: About 10–45 minutes per Rakhi
• Materials: Ribbon, felt, foam, wool, beads, paper, buttons and decorative trims
• Skills: Cutting, gluing, threading, fine-motor control and design
• Easiest ideas: Foam Rakhi, animal Rakhi, button Rakhi and photo Rakhi
• Best for older kids: Quilling, silk-thread, beaded and zari-motif Rakhi

How Do You Make a Simple Rakhi at Home?

1. Choose a base: Use felt, foam, cardstock, a button, pom-pom or quilled paper shape.
2. Decorate the center: Add beads, stickers, sequins, paper shapes or a small photo.
3. Add the tie: Glue or stitch the finished centerpiece onto satin ribbon, embroidery thread, wool or silk thread long enough to tie comfortably around the wrist.

What Materials Can Be Used for Making Rakhi?

• Silk thread, embroidery thread, wool or satin ribbon
• Felt or craft foam
• Cardstock or quilling paper
• Buttons, beads and pom-poms
• Sequins, zari motifs and decorative trims
• Foam stickers or printed cutouts
• Fabric glue or strong craft glue
• Child-safe scissors

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Useful Rakhi Craft Supplies

• Craft felt sheets
• Craft foam sheets
• Satin ribbon
• Embroidery thread
• Craft beads
• Paper quilling kit
• Pom-pom maker
• Fabric glue

Free Printable Rakhi Cards

Pair your handmade Rakhi with one of our FREE Printable Rakhi Cards.

Choose a Rakhi Idea by Material

• Craft foam: Vehicle Rakhi, animal Rakhi, horizontal foam Rakhi
• Felt: Felt Rakhi, pinwheel Rakhi, flower Rakhi, button Rakhi
• Wool: Pom-pom Rakhi
• Paper: Quilled Rakhi
• Beads: Beaded Rakhi
• Silk thread: Traditional thread Rakhi
• Zari: Zari motif Rakhi

Best Rakhi Ideas for a School Competition

For a Rakhi-making competition, choose a design that looks neat, uses child-safe materials and can be completed independently within the allotted time. Good options from this list include paper quilling, silk thread, beaded, felt flower and best-out-of-waste button Rakhis.

1. Make an Aeroplane or Car Rakhi

You will need

• Foam vehicle sticker or cardstock vehicle cutout
• Red satin ribbon
• Two felt circles
• Black and red markers
• Craft glue

Steps

1. Choose a foam aeroplane, car or other vehicle shape.
2. Outline it with a black marker and add simple details.
3. Glue the vehicle onto the first felt circle.
4. Cut satin ribbon long enough to fit around the wrist with extra length for tying.
5. Place the ribbon behind the decorated felt circle.
6. Glue the second felt circle over the ribbon so it is sandwiched securely.
7. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing.

Shop supplies: vehicle foam stickers · satin ribbon

2. Make an Animal Rakhi

You will need

• Animal foam sticker or printed animal cutout
• Two contrasting felt circles
• Satin ribbon
• Craft glue

Steps

1. Cut two felt circles slightly larger than the animal decoration.
2. Glue the animal shape to the first circle.
3. Cut ribbon long enough to tie comfortably.
4. Lay the ribbon across the back of the first circle.
5. Glue the second felt circle over the ribbon.
6. Press firmly and leave flat until dry.

You can replace the lion with any favorite animal, vehicle, sports or character sticker your child likes.

Shop supplies: animal foam stickers

3. Make a Wool Pom-Pom Rakhi

You will need

• Red and yellow wool
• One decorative bead
• Strong thread or ribbon
• Scissors

Steps

1. Wrap wool around three fingers about 20 times.
2. Slide the bundle off carefully.
3. Tie tightly around the middle.
4. Cut through the loops at both ends.
5. Fluff and trim into a neat pom-pom.
6. Add a bead at the center.
7. Attach a long strand of wool or ribbon securely across the back.

Shop supplies: craft yarn · pom-pom maker

4. Make a Rakhi Using Craft Foam

You will need

• Craft foam in 2–3 colors
• Decorative sticker, gem or foam shape
• Satin ribbon
• Craft glue

Steps

1. Cut one large foam circle and one smaller contrasting circle.
2. Glue the smaller circle in the center.
3. Add a decorative foam shape, gem or sticker.
4. Cut ribbon to wrist length.
5. Glue the ribbon across the back.
6. Cover the ribbon with another small foam circle for strength.
7. Let it dry flat before wearing.

Shop supplies: craft foam sheets · self-adhesive gems

5. Make a Rakhi with Zari Motifs

You will need

• Small zari motif
• Gold cord, lace or satin ribbon
• Small felt circle
• Fabric glue

Steps

1. Choose a small flower, peacock or geometric zari motif.
2. Trim loose threads carefully.
3. Glue the motif onto a felt circle.
4. Cut cord or ribbon to wrist length.
5. Place it across the back of the felt circle.
6. Glue another felt circle over the cord to secure it.
7. Allow it to dry completely.

Shop supplies: zari motifs

6. Make a Felt Rakhi

You will need

• Purple and yellow felt
• Decorative sticker, sequin motif or gem
• Satin ribbon
• Scissors
• Fabric glue

Steps

1. Cut a larger yellow felt circle and a smaller purple circle.
2. Glue the purple circle on top.
3. Add the decorative element in the center.
4. Glue ribbon across the back.
5. Cover the ribbon with another small felt circle.
6. Press flat and let dry.

No-sew option: Fabric glue works well for younger children.

Shop supplies: felt sheets

7. Make a Decorative Sequin Rakhi

You will need

• Felt or foam circle
• Loose sequins or sequin trim
• Small central bead or gem
• Satin ribbon
• Craft glue

Steps

1. Cut a small felt or foam circle.
2. Arrange sequins around the edge before gluing.
3. Glue the sequins in place.
4. Add a contrasting bead or gem in the center.
5. Attach ribbon across the back.
6. Cover the back with a second felt circle.
7. Leave flat until fully dry.

Shop supplies: assorted sequins

8. Make a Photo Rakhi at Home

You do not need a commercial photo-Rakhi service to make this personalized design.

You will need

• Small printed photo
• Cardstock
• Felt circle
• Clear self-adhesive laminate or transparent tape
• Ribbon
• Glue

Steps

1. Print and trim a small photo.
2. Glue it onto cardstock and leave a small border.
3. Cover the front with clear laminate or tape.
4. Glue the photo onto a felt circle.
5. Attach ribbon across the back.
6. Cover with another felt circle for strength.
7. Allow it to dry completely.

Shop supplies: self-adhesive laminating sheets

9. Make a Paper Quilled Rakhi

You will need

• Quilling paper strips
• Quilling tool or toothpick
• Craft glue
• Small cardstock circle
• Ribbon or embroidery thread

Steps

1. Roll a paper strip tightly around the quilling tool.
2. Let it loosen slightly and glue the end.
3. Pinch coils into petals or teardrops if desired.
4. Arrange the shapes into a flower or mandala on cardstock.
5. Glue each piece in place.
6. Attach ribbon across the back.
7. Cover the back with a second cardstock or felt circle.

Shop supplies: paper quilling kit

10. Make a Pinwheel Rakhi Using Felt

You will need

• Two colors of felt
• Small button or bead
• Satin ribbon
• Scissors
• Fabric glue

Steps

1. Cut a small felt square.
2. Make diagonal cuts from each corner toward the center, stopping before the middle.
3. Bring one point from each corner into the center.
4. Glue the four points in place.
5. Add a button or bead in the middle.
6. Glue the pinwheel to a contrasting felt circle.
7. Attach ribbon across the back and cover with another felt circle.

Shop supplies: craft buttons

11. Make a Felt Flower Rakhi

The old version of this post had no reliable source for this design, so here is a complete way to recreate it.

You will need

• Felt in two or three colors
• Small button, bead or gem
• Satin ribbon
• Scissors
• Fabric glue

Steps

1. Cut five or six small felt petals.
2. Arrange the petals in a circle, overlapping slightly.
3. Glue the overlapping ends together.
4. Add a smaller contrasting felt circle or flower in the center.
5. Glue a button, bead or gem in the middle.
6. Attach ribbon across the back.
7. Reinforce with a small felt circle on the back.
8. Let dry flat.

Shop supplies: flat-back pearls

12. Make a Button Rakhi

You will need

• One large button or several small buttons
• Felt circle
• Ribbon or embroidery thread
• Fabric glue

Steps

1. Choose a button or arrange several into a flower or geometric design.
2. Cut a felt circle as the base.
3. Glue the buttons onto the felt.
4. Attach ribbon across the back.
5. Cover the ribbon with another felt circle.
6. Allow the glue to dry.

Best-out-of-waste tip: Use spare buttons from old clothes or a sewing box.

Shop supplies: assorted craft buttons

13. Make a Silk Thread Rakhi

Silk and decorative threads are commonly used in many traditional Rakhi designs.

You will need

• Silk thread or embroidery thread
• Small cardboard ring or circular base
• Decorative bead or stone
• Glue
• Long thread or cord for tying

Steps

1. Cut a small cardboard circle or ring.
2. Wrap silk thread around the base until the cardboard is covered.
3. Keep the wraps close together and secure the final end with glue.
4. Add a bead or stone in the center.
5. Attach a long silk cord across the back.
6. Cover the back with a small felt circle for comfort.

Shop supplies: silk thread · decorative stones

14. Make a Beaded Rakhi

You will need

• Embroidery thread, silk cord or nylon cord
• One larger central bead
• Several smaller beads
• Scissors

Steps

1. Cut three or four strands of cord slightly longer than needed.
2. Tie them together near one end.
3. Braid or twist for a few centimeters.
4. Thread a decorative bead onto the center.
5. Add smaller beads on either side if desired.
6. Continue braiding until both sides are equal.
7. Tie secure knots near both ends and trim neatly.

Safety: Small beads are not suitable for children under 3.

Shop supplies: craft beads

15. Make a Horizontal Foam Rakhi

The old external source is not needed for this easy design.

You will need

• Craft foam in two colors
• Small foam stickers or decorative shapes
• Satin ribbon
• Scissors
• Craft glue

Steps

1. Cut a rounded rectangle from craft foam about 6–8 cm wide.
2. Cut a slightly smaller rectangle in a contrasting color and glue it on top.
3. Decorate with foam stars, flowers or circles.
4. Cut ribbon long enough to tie around the wrist.
5. Glue the ribbon horizontally across the back.
6. Glue a smaller strip of foam over the ribbon to lock it in place.
7. Press flat and allow it to dry completely.

Shop supplies: foam stickers

Best-Out-of-Waste Rakhi Ideas

• Buttons from old clothes
• Fabric and felt scraps
• Leftover wool and embroidery thread
• Old ribbon
• Cardboard circles cut from packaging
• Beads from broken costume jewelry
• Craft-foam offcuts

Best Rakhi Ideas by Age

Ages 4–6

• Animal Rakhi
• Vehicle Rakhi
• Craft Foam Rakhi
• Button Rakhi

Ages 7–9

• Wool Pom-Pom Rakhi
• Felt Flower Rakhi
• Pinwheel Rakhi
• Photo Rakhi

Ages 9+

• Paper Quilled Rakhi
• Beaded Rakhi
• Silk Thread Rakhi
• Zari Motif Rakhi

Rakhi Craft Safety Tips

• Supervise younger children while using scissors.
• Avoid tiny beads, sequins and loose decorations for children under 3.
• Use soft ribbon or thread so the Rakhi is comfortable on the wrist.
• Make sure glued decorations are completely dry and securely attached.
• Use fabric glue instead of needles whenever younger children are crafting independently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Rakhi at Home

How can kids make Rakhi at home?

Kids can make a simple Rakhi by decorating a felt, foam or cardstock centerpiece and gluing it onto ribbon, wool or thread.

What materials are used to make Rakhi?

Common materials include silk thread, wool, satin ribbon, felt, craft foam, paper, beads, buttons, sequins and decorative motifs.

What is the easiest Rakhi to make for school?

A craft-foam or felt Rakhi is one of the easiest school projects because the pieces can be pre-cut and assembled quickly with glue.

What is a good Rakhi idea for a school competition?

Paper quilling, silk-thread, beaded and best-out-of-waste button Rakhis are strong competition ideas.

Can Rakhi be made from waste materials?

Yes. Old buttons, fabric scraps, wool, ribbon, cardboard and beads from broken costume jewelry can all be reused.

Can preschoolers make Rakhi?

Yes. Preschoolers can make simple Rakhis using foam stickers, felt circles, pom-poms or large buttons with adult help.

More Raksha Bandhan and India Crafts

Pair your Rakhi with our Free Printable Rakhi Cards, browse more India Crafts, or explore our Teacher Resources.