7 Ways to have a Good Time with your Kids During Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major Hindu holiday that is observed throughout India.
It gets its name from the Indian custom of burning a row (avali) of clay lamps or diyas (deepa) outside homes to signify good triumphing over evil and light triumphing over darkness. Diwali celebrations begin on Nov. 2 (a new moon day) and last for five days, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2021, the celebrations begin on Nov. 2 (a new moon day) and extend for five days.


Each day of Diwali is commemorated in a unique way, from cleaning your house to creating colorful rangolis, to my personal favorite, feasting on traditional Indian delicacies. The most important part, though, is being able to share this special event with your friends and family.

                                 

Here are 7 fun activities for youngsters to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

1. Learn about the Diwali legend by reading stories about it.

The tale of Diwali tells the account of Lord Rama, who saves his wife, Sita, from the evil king Ravana (with the help of Hanuman's monkey army) and returns to his village after 14 years in exile. Indian villagers lit diyas throughout their route to welcome their beloved lord back home. You can get a simplified account of Lord Rama's victory (known as the Ramayana) in a children's book. This specific book is appropriate for children aged 3 to 7, and it features gorgeous images and simple prose.

Read: COVID 19 Worries as India Celebrates Diwali

2. Use rangolis to decorate your home.

Rangoli art is constructed using colorful sand, rice, flowers, and paint in artistic designs and is supposed to bring good luck. Creating these gorgeous creations with your children may be a pleasant hobby, especially if you buy some stencils to assist them. To get you started, we've listed some colored sand in ten different hues so your kids may make whatever interesting designs they like, as well as some top-rated stencils if they need a little extra help.

3. Decorate your home with clay diyas that light up.

While you and your family can build clay diyas from scratch, it may be more convenient to purchase ready-made diyas and paint them at home. Paint, stencils, and stones for embellishment are included, making this a great Diwali project to do with your kids. Cotton wicks, however, are not included and must be purchased individually. You can also use these clay pots as holders for artificial candles if you're concerned about your child's fingers burning.

4. Make treats with your friends.

If you go to a bakery in India during Diwali, you'll see all kinds of Indian sweets like laddoos, barfis, and more flying off the shelves in a rainbow of colors and tastes. You might be able to get some of these wonderful delights at your local Indian grocery store, but attempting to make these sweets yourself is far more fun. There are hundreds of recipes on this site, and some of them, like the coconut barfi, are simple enough for beginners to make—it only requires three key ingredients!


Consider subscribing to MasterClass to learn the art of Indian cooking from Madhur Jaffrey if you're planning a big meal for Diwali and want a fun activity to do with your older kids. This session covers everything from curries to a delectable and aromatic biryani—the ideal meal for the whole family.

Check Out: How Diwali is Celebrated in India

5. Purchase new clothing

Because Diwali also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, it is considered fortunate to dress up for the occasion. Parents can dress their children in whatever they wish, whether it's traditional clothing or a pair of amusing pajamas. These lovely dresses, for example, come in a variety of colors and patterns and have a 4.6-star rating from nearly 23,000 Amazon customers. For older children, a more traditional option such as this teal blue salwar suit is available. This beige/maroon or beige/blue suit is also great for little boys, and it's excellent for that at-home Diwali feast you've been preparing with your extended family.

6. Set off sparklers

Many people burn fireworks in the sky to celebrate Diwali. You could buy some sparklers for the older kids, even if they aren't the most kid-friendly (or neighborhood-friendly).
If you're still afraid about your kids getting wounded while lighting sparklers, put these solar-powered firework-shaped lights in your yard or balcony. They've received nearly 1,700 Amazon reviews and even sparkle! You can even use them again for the future holiday season.

7. Make lanterns and ignite them.

Consider decorating your home with DIY paper lanterns if you're seeking for additional fun crafting activities to do with your kids. The majority of the materials required to make these (paper, glue, scissors, and ruler) are readily available in most households, so you won't have to go shopping for them.
Buy this decorative package for your child if they want to add a little something extra to their DIY lanterns.

It has everything they need, including stick-on diamonds, sequins, and more, to make their at-home lantern stand out. I hope this Guide was helpful?