Looking for some fun Diwali activities for your toddlers this October? We’ve got you covered!
Whether it’s to help toddlers to understand their own culture or to learn someone else’s, Diwali is a fun experience for people of all ages. And there’s lots of different ways you can explore this holiday.
Read on to find out how you can celebrate the festival of lights!
1. Creating your Own Rangoli
A beautiful arty floor decoration that you and the kids can get involved in!
What is Rangoli?
Rangoli is a form of folk art which originated in the Indian subcontinent, where it’s still widely practised today. Rangoli consist of bright, colourful and intricate designs, and they serve a religious and symbolic purpose – to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, as well as any visiting guests. They can be made with a variety of different materials, including limestone, quartz powder, cereal powders, rocks, even flowers.
If you would rather keep your Diwali toddler crafts off the floor, then there’s a super cute paper plate Rangoli craft by ‘Red Ted Art’ that you can do instead over here
2. Put together a ‘Firework’ Sensory Tray
Sensory trays never go a miss for toddlers. They’re a great way to develop your little ones motor skills and helps them to explore the textures of all sorts of different items.
We’ve seen an absolutely wonderful ‘firework’ sensory tray (by Louisa at the Mums Creative Cupboard) that just takes some salt, black paint and sparkly card.
3. Find an activity sheet on Twinkl
There’s lots of crafts and activities you can do at home, but if you’re short on time and you’d like to find some easy ready-made activity sheets, then Twinkl offers a lot of free resources.
We did a quick search on their site and found these. Check them out!
4. Diwali activities for toddlers: Make your own Torans
A beautiful hanging decoration, and a Diwali inspired toddler craft you can make at home with your little ones.
What is a Toran?
Toran is a traditional hanging piece of art, often seen in Indian households during festive occasions like Diwali. This idea originally came from wanting to make homes feel welcoming, as to attract the goddess of wealth, Lakshmiji. It’s a beautiful piece and fits perfectly into the archways of doors and at the entrance of homes.
There’s a ton of easy tutorials out there on how to make your own Toran with your kids. We’ve linked just one above that you could try, but there are tons of beautiful papercraft ideas on the internet. Look around and see what catches your eye!
5. Diwali Hand Art
An easy one, but definitely one to help your toddlers feel creative! Get out the colourful card and draw around your toddler’s hand. Then get out your little ones usual craft supplies. Whether that’s crayons, or plastic gems with child-safe glue. And then let your child decorate! There’s no rules for this one. Just let your child explore the different designs they can make on their paper hand.
6. Eat Indian Sweets
Malpua, Badam Halwa, Milk Pedha, Kaju Katli: there’s so many delicious traditional sweets that will be a perfect way for your little ones to enjoy celebrating Diwali. Either by buying them in, or making them yourself! If you’re looking for inspiration, try out one of these many recipes from Mom Junction.
7. Make Paper Lanterns
Here’s a great tutorial by Crayola that will be fairly straight-forward to follow. (Though your little one may need some help when it comes to using scissors!)
8. Make Your Own Diva Lamps (Version 1 – Toilet Tube Craft)
This one is a super simple one for your toddler, and all you need is a toilet tube, paints, and an LED tealight candle. Just cut your toilet tube in half, cut 5 times around the edge and cut each section into the shape of petals. Paint it up, wait for it to dry, and then pop an LED tealight inside. One easy flower lamp done!
Read the full instructions written by ‘The Joy of Sharing’ here.
9. Make Your Own Diva Lamp (Version 2 – Salt Dough Craft)
If your little one has started nursery, then chances are that this craft is one that might make its way home to you soon! If you’re always a little nervous about getting involved with clay/more expensive materials, then this might be an ideal place for you to start.
First create your salt dough using salt, water, oil and all-purpose flour (using a cheaper own-store brand to save money). Roll out your salt dough, and in one chunk of it, put in your tea light. Use more salt dough to mould and shape around the tea light in a similar shape to pictured above. Once you have a good shape, leave the lamp to harden overnight.
Come the next morning, your Diva lamp will be ready to paint! Remove the tea light while you paint your diva lamp, and then once the paint has hardened, you’ll have one homemade Diva lamp!
10. Read stories together about Diwali
One of the best activities to unite and celebrate Diwali with your toddlers is to share stories with your little one. There’s a few children’s books out there that would be appropriate to share, but one of the main stories is the story of Rama.
CBeebies has a great video on their site that you could use to share with them!
Check out our recent blog, 5 Easy Ways To Explain Diwali To Kids, to find more recommendations.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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