Diwali, the festival of lights, is an occasion of joy, togetherness, and sparkling celebrations. It's the perfect time to get toddlers in on the fun with some easy hands-on activities that aren't just festive but are packed with learning too! If you're wondering how to make Diwali special for your little one, incorporating age-appropriate Diwali crafts for toddlers and creative activities is the way to go. From fun-filled crafts to art activities, there’s so much to explore and enjoy for them.
So, we are here to guide you through a delightful list of 12 Diwali activities & crafts that your toddler will be loving, offering an exciting mix of creative ideas, sensory fun, and simple crafts that you and your toddler can do together. The activities are all about keeping your toddler entertained while helping them learn the essence of Diwali.
Diwali Activities & Crafts For Your Toddler:
Here are 12 engaging Diwali activities for toddlers that will make the festival brighter and more enjoyable for your little one:
Paper Diya Craft
Introduce your toddler to the symbol of Diwali, the diya. If you are also looking for a Diwali craft for preschoolers, this is a perfect activity that involves cutting out diya shapes from colored paper and letting your child decorate them with glitter, stickers, or crayons. It is one of the simplest hands-on ways for toddlers to learn about the significance of light in Diwali while developing their fine motor skills.
Handprint Diya Cards
For a personalized touch, create beautiful Diwali cards with handprint diyas. Let your toddler dip their hands in paint and press them onto a card to create the base of the diya. Once the handprint dries, help them add a flame and decorative designs. This engaging Diwali craft for school and home is both a keepsake and a lovely gift for family members.
Rangoli Art with Colored Paper
While traditional rangoli can be a bit complex for toddlers, you can simplify it by using colored paper. Cut out various shapes (circles, triangles, and flowers) from colored paper, and let your child arrange them on the floor to create their own rangoli patterns. This Diwali art activity helps introduce them to the cultural aspect of Diwali while allowing them to explore patterns and colors.
Sensory Bin with Diwali Elements
A sensory bin filled with Diwali-themed objects such as faux diyas, marigold flowers, colored rice, and plastic jewels can be a fun Deepavali activity for toddlers, which can keep them entertained while you prepare for the occasion. Let them explore different textures and colors.
Clay Diya Painting
Clay diyas are a staple of Diwali celebrations. Provide your toddler with non-toxic paints and a few plain clay diyas, and let them unleash their creativity. Once the paint dries, you can use the diyas as part of your Diwali decor. Such activities for toddlers allow them to contribute to the festive decorations, making them feel proud of their work.
Paper Lanterns
Help your toddler create simple paper lanterns with colored construction paper. Fold and cut strips, then glue or tape them to create a lantern shape. Hang the lanterns around your home as part of the Diwali decor. Making lantern is easy, and safe, and introduces them to the idea of festive lighting.
Diwali Story Time
Introduce the cultural and mythological stories behind Diwali with age-appropriate books. Picture books that tell the story of Lord Rama or the significance of lights are perfect for toddlers. Make the storytime more interactive by asking questions or encouraging them to act out parts of the story. This fun activity can help in improving skills such as listening and comprehension.
Marigold Garland Craft
Marigold flowers are widely used during Diwali for decoration. You can create your own toddler-friendly version using yellow and orange crepe paper. Help your child cut or tear small pieces and scrunch them into flower shapes. String all of them together to make it look like a garland that can be used to decorate your home. This is a fun, creative craft for toddlers that also teaches them about traditional decorations.
Sparkling Fireworks Art
While actual fireworks are not safe for toddlers, you can create the effect using paint and a fork. Dip the fork in different colors of paint and have your child press it onto black paper, creating a firework pattern, and add some glitter to make it sparkly. This Diwali art activity is both visually stimulating and helps develop your toddler’s artistic skills.
Barfi Making
Turn Barfi making into a fun Diwali activity by making different types of barfis like besan barfi, coconut barfi or chocolate barfi letting your toddler enjoy the process of making these mouth-watering treats. Not only is this hands-on activity fun, but it also introduces your little ones to the festive sweets associated with Diwali.
Diwali-Themed Dress-Up
Involve your toddler in the Diwali celebrations by dressing them up in traditional attire. Encourage them to help choose their clothes and accessories. You can also set up a mini photo booth with props like diyas and rangoli designs for some fun festive photos.
Diwali Dance Party
Toddlers love music and movement, so host a mini Diwali dance party at home. You can play groovy tracks so that your toddler can dance along. You can even introduce simple dance steps and encourage them to clap or move to the rhythm. Dancing and listening to music can be a fun, energetic way for toddlers to enjoy the celebrations.
FAQs
Q. How do you explain Diwali to a toddler?
A. When explaining Diwali to a toddler, keep it simple and relatable. You can say, “Diwali is a festival where we celebrate with lights, love, and happiness. We light diyas and small lamps to bring in all the brightness and joy, and it’s the time to wear new clothes and share sweets with family and friends. You can also check out fun books or short videos made just for kids that tell the Diwali story in a super engaging way. Hands-on activities like making diyas or drawing rangolis can also help them understand the festival better.
Q. Can Diwali activities be helpful for my toddler in any way?
A. Absolutely! Diwali crafts and activities for toddlers offer a variety of benefits:
- Motor skills development: Crafts like diya painting or paper cutting improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Creativity: Engaging in Diwali art activities encourages toddlers to express themselves artistically.
- Cultural learning: Through activities like rangoli making or listening to Diwali stories, toddlers learn about the cultural and traditional aspects of the festival.
- Cognitive skills: Simple Diwali crafts like arranging paper lanterns or creating patterns with colored shapes enhance their problem-solving abilities and understanding of patterns.
- Social bonding: Whether it's decorating cookies or making marigold garlands, these activities promote family bonding and a sense of togetherness.
Adding these Diwali activities and crafts to your little one’s celebrations not only just makes the festival more enjoyable for them but also helps them learn and grow. From enhancing their creativity levels to teaching them what the celebrations are all about, these activities ensure your toddler has fun during Diwali too.
As you celebrate this festive season, remember that Diwali is not just about lights and sweets. It’s also about creating beautiful memories with your family, especially your little one. So, get crafty, have fun, and enjoy such fun Diwali activities with your toddler!
