The house is sparkling clean, the cupboard is stocked with new clothes, and the tempting aroma of sweets and savoury snacks fills the air. Now, all we have to do is wait for the big day. For children, Diwali is a time of excitement – receiving gifts, lighting less harmful firecrackers, and gorging on sweets. This means that you, as a parent, have to be prepared with thoughtful gifts, festive clothes and fun activities. At the same time, you want them to embrace the culture and engage actively with its traditions. While it can seem a tad bit too much if you aspire for it all, with a bit of planning and mindful choices, you can create a memorable and enriching Diwali for your little ones.
Eco-friendly Diwali gifting
Amala Earth
Do you recall promising yourself to be more punctual with Diwali gifts and shopping the following year but failing miserably? If yes, welcome to the club. With children, it becomes relatively easier once you tap into their interests. Amala Earth makes it even easier with its range of green Diwali gifts for children. Ganesha DIY kit, Rangoli Kit, Plantable Crackers – they have it all.
Diwali books for young minds
Imagine your child’s delight as they discover characters and stories that reflect their own heritage and traditions. It’s like finding a treasure trove of relatable experiences and celebrations, all within the colourful pages of a book. And for little explorers who may not be familiar with Diwali, these stories offer a gateway into a world of new customs and festivities. Here are some recommendations:
Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani is a brilliant picture book and a wonderful introduction to Diwali for little ones, wrapped within a story of sharing and acceptance.
Shubh Diwali by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Charlene Chua is simple, accessible, and enjoyable – easiest for the littlest ones.
Ramayana: Divine Loophole by Sanjay Patel is perfect for older children. Artist and veteran Pixar animator Sanjay Patel lends a lush, whimsical illustration style and lighthearted voice to one of Hindu mythology's most enduring tales.
Festive fashion
There is no dearth of shopping options when it comes to festive wear, but here are two tried-and-tested brands.
Rage Attire by Shweta Saria is a one-stop solution for children up to age 11. The ready-to-wear Diwali collection at their Ballygunge Circular Road design den is available in all sizes. Fabindia's products are natural, craft-based and contemporary. The festive collection for kids from six months to 15 years is vibrant, stylish and comfortable – ticking all boxes you’d look for.
Diwali activities & craft kits
Rangoli kits
One of the easiest ways to get children involved in Diwali festivities is through art and craft. Encourage them to make rangolis, paper lanterns and decorate diyas. Whether designing their own rangoli or using a template, this activity sparks creativity. To make it easier, Lattooland offers non-toxic rangoli kits for children as young as 18 months, with child-friendly stencils of diyas and mandalas. As they grow older, they can experiment with coloured sand art for more intricate designs.
Paper lanterns
‘Diwali’ which means ‘rows of lights’ is all about decorating homes and streets with lights and oil lamps or diyas. Making paper lanterns is a fun way to get your child involved, and it’s pretty simple too. All you need is two pieces of coloured A4 paper (or plain sheets that you can colour), glue, scissors and some sticky tape. You can even decorate your paper with paint or glitter. They’ll look lovely hanging all around your home!
DIY diyas
For a simple yet engaging craft, give kids acrylic paints and gem stickers to decorate the clay diyas. If you want to make it more fun, let them cut out diyas from glitter foam sheets and decorate them.
In case you don’t have the bandwidth to gather all these things separately, Lattooland has simplified it with Diwali kits. These kits include DIY Lanterns, peacock and diya stencils, taste-safe rangoli powders, and Lattoodough Diwali diyas — everything you need for festive fun, all in one box!
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores.
