How Can Children Observe Ekadashi? Easy Food Ideas, Snacks and a Simple Way to Make Ekadashi Enjoyable
If you have children at home, you probably know what happens when you tell them:
“Tomorrow is Ekadashi, so you have to fast.”
The first question may be:
“But what will I eat?” 😄
And honestly, that is not a bad question.
Children are growing, active and often hungry at completely unexpected times. So when we introduce Ekadashi to children, I don't think the goal should be to make them feel that Ekadashi means a day of hunger.
It can be something very different.
It can be a day when food is a little different, the family spends some extra time together, there are interesting snacks, a Krishna story, some chanting—and the child slowly begins to understand why devotees observe Ekadashi.
Do children need to do a strict fast?
Not necessarily.
Children have different nutritional needs from adults, and parents should consider the child's age, health, activity level and family tradition.
For a young child, the focus can simply be on participating in Ekadashi, rather than forcing a strict fast.
That participation could mean:
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Eating food suitable for your family's Ekadashi practice
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Listening to a Krishna story
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Chanting a little with parents
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Visiting the temple
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Helping prepare food
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Offering food to Krishna
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Spending some time away from unnecessary entertainment
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Learning something about devotion
And if a child has a medical condition, dietary restriction or any concern related to growth or nutrition, parents should consult an appropriate healthcare professional before changing the child's diet.
But what can children actually eat on Ekadashi?
This is where parents can get creative.
Depending on the Ekadashi rules followed by your family or Vaishnava tradition, there are many ingredients that can be used to prepare interesting meals.
Some children may enjoy familiar foods such as sabudana preparations, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, milk, yogurt, makhana and suitable fasting flours.
But there's another problem parents often face:
“My child doesn't want the same sabudana dish again!”
Fair enough.
Why not make Ekadashi food look a little more exciting?
1. Farali Pasta — yes, pasta on Ekadashi!
This is probably one of the easiest ways to make Ekadashi interesting for children who normally love pasta.
ANIYOR currently has Farali Pasta (180 g) from HealthyStarts. It is made from a combination of amaranth flour, barnyard millet flour, tapioca flour and water chestnut flour, and the listing describes it as farali, gluten-free and free from artificial colour and preservatives.
For a child, you could turn it into a simple Ekadashi lunch with ingredients permitted by your family's practice.
The interesting part is that the child sees “pasta” rather than another meal that feels completely different from their normal food.
Sometimes that little familiarity makes a huge difference.
2. Farali Roti — something familiar for the family
Roti is another practical option.
ANIYOR's Farali Roti Aata is made with amaranth flour, potato and water chestnut flour. The pack is 250 g, and the product listing describes it as a farali, gluten-free and sattvik option without artificial colour or preservatives.
You can make small rotis for children and serve them with a suitable vegetable or accompaniment according to your family's Ekadashi rules.
For younger children, making small, soft rotis can be easier than giving them a large adult-sized meal.
3. Farali Idli — breakfast doesn't have to be complicated
If your child loves idli, Ekadashi doesn't have to mean giving it up.
ANIYOR also lists a Farali Idli Premix (200 g) made with amaranth flour, barnyard millet flour and tapioca flour. The listing says the pack makes approximately 20 medium-sized idlis.
This can be particularly useful for parents who don't want to spend a lot of time preparing a completely different breakfast.
One practical note: the ANIYOR listing currently shows this product as sold out, so availability should be checked before ordering.
4. Sabudana doesn't have to be boring
Sabudana is probably one of the first foods people think about when they hear “Ekadashi.”
But you can prepare it in different ways:
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Sabudana khichdi
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Sabudana tikki
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Sabudana vada
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Small sabudana patties
For children, bite-sized food often works better.
Instead of serving a large plate, make small portions and let them choose.
5. Makhana can become a fun snack
Roasted makhana is another simple idea.
Children usually enjoy crunchy food, so a suitable roasted makhana preparation can work well as an afternoon snack.
You can even involve your child in preparing it.
And that's actually part of the Ekadashi experience.
Why not let children help make the food?
This is something I think parents sometimes overlook.
If you tell a child:
“Here is your Ekadashi food.”
they may simply see another restriction.
But if you say:
“Come, let's make your Ekadashi pasta together.”
the whole experience changes.
Let them:
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Wash fruit
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Arrange a fruit bowl
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Help shape rotis
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Count idlis
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Mix ingredients
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Set the table
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Help offer the food
They aren't just eating differently.
They are participating.
What are the benefits of observing Ekadashi for children?
I would be careful about presenting Ekadashi as a medical or weight-loss program for children.
The deeper purpose is spiritual.
For children, an age-appropriate Ekadashi practice can become an opportunity to learn:
Self-control
Children live in a world of instant gratification.
They want the snack now.
The game now.
The video now.
The next episode now.
Ekadashi can gently introduce the idea:
“I don't have to satisfy every desire immediately.”
That is a valuable lesson when taught without force.
Mindful eating
Ekadashi can also be an opportunity to ask:
“Am I actually hungry, or am I just eating because I'm bored?”
Children gradually learn to recognize hunger, habit and craving.
Spiritual habits
Perhaps the biggest benefit is not about food at all.
It is the opportunity to establish small spiritual habits while children are young.
Five minutes of chanting.
One Krishna story.
A visit to the temple.
Helping prepare prasadam.
A simple prayer before eating.
These small things can become memories that stay with them.
What if my child doesn't want to fast?
Don't turn Ekadashi into a fight.
This is especially important with younger children.
If every Ekadashi becomes:
“Eat this.”
“Don't eat that.”
“Stop asking for food.”
“You have to fast.”
the child may eventually start seeing Ekadashi as something negative.
Instead, explain it in a way they can understand.
You could simply say:
“Today is a special day when we try to remember Krishna more and keep our food and activities simple.”
That's enough for a young child.
As they grow, their understanding can grow too.
What about teenagers?
Teenagers can be involved in the decision-making.
Instead of simply giving them rules, talk about:
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Why devotees observe Ekadashi
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Controlling the senses
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Using time carefully
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Reducing distractions
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Remembering Krishna
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Developing discipline
You can even let them choose and prepare one Ekadashi dish for the family.
That turns Ekadashi from something being imposed on them into something they are learning to understand.
A simple Ekadashi day for a child
You don't need to create a complicated schedule.
Something as simple as this can work:
Morning
Prayer and a suitable Ekadashi breakfast.
Afternoon
A fruit or other suitable snack.
A short Krishna story.
Evening
Prepare an interesting Ekadashi snack together.
Maybe Farali pasta, small rotis, idli or another preparation suitable for your family's practice.
Night
A simple dinner and a few minutes of chanting or devotional reading.
Before bedtime, ask:
“What did you like about Ekadashi today?”
You may be surprised by the answer.
ANIYOR's Ekadashi food options
For parents who find it difficult to prepare everything from scratch, ANIYOR currently has an Ekadashi Special collection with a range of Farali ingredients and ready-to-use options.
Some of the child-friendly options include:
Farali Pasta (180 g) — a familiar pasta-style meal using Farali flour ingredients.
Farali Roti Aata (250 g) — useful for preparing homemade Farali rotis.
Farali Idli Premix (200 g) — a convenient option for making Farali idlis at home; availability may vary.
ANIYOR also currently lists an Ekadashi Combo containing one Farali Pasta, one Farali Roti Aata and one Farali Idli Premix.
Explore ANIYOR's Ekadashi Special Collection
Ekadashi shouldn't become a punishment
This is probably the main thing I would tell parents.
We don't need to measure a child's Ekadashi by how hungry they managed to remain.
A child who ate suitable Ekadashi food, listened to a Krishna story, helped prepare prasadam, chanted for a few minutes and happily participated with the family may have gained something much more meaningful.
The aim is to plant a seed.
Today the child may simply enjoy making Farali pasta.
Next year they may ask why we observe Ekadashi.
A few years later, they may start chanting on their own.
And eventually, they can develop their own understanding of fasting and devotion.
Let the practice grow with the child.
Make Ekadashi something they associate with Krishna, family, prasadam, stories, service and happiness—not simply with being told what they cannot eat.
Hare Krishna 🙏
