Diwali celebration

Just a quick post as it is the last day of Diwali – here are some activities I will be doing with Freya and Seb throughout the day.

First we looke at some Diwali photo cards – it was great to start a discussion about Diwali with the kids.

Afterwards we looked at this Diwali video from BBC learning zone – I love the BBC they make some quality resources for all ages worth checking when researching a project especially their cultural and animal bits.

Diwali Song

I’m really sorry but I don’t know where I got this Diwali song to give credit – but its so lovely and simple that I have to share it:

It’s Diwali, festival of lights,

All the divas twinkle in the night!

Sal Mubarak – Happy New Year!

We’re so happy Diwali’s here!

It’s Diwali, festival of lights,

All the divas twinkle in the night!

Sing to tune of twinkle twinkle little star

The story of Rama and Sita

I have found this great video using shadow puppets of the Rama and Sita story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/lets-celebrate/stories/lets-celebrate-diwaliperformance

Freya instantly wanted to make some shadow puppets which we did – what a great way to explore light and dark!

I used these images from Early Llearning HQ to make the puppets – we stuck them onto lolly sticks and we were away.

Rangoli Patterns

Unfortunately I haven’t been organised to get any jumbo chalks for drawing on the slabs outside 🙁 I have found these fantastic colouring pages though on Activity village:

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/rangoli-colouring-pages

Freya especially loves colouring so I will print some off for colouring. But, I love to use coloured rice too! So I am trialing different ways to make it.

The first method:

1 cup rice
1/2 cup of white vinegar
food colouring

Mix them all together and then leave to dry.

I personally found this method left us with quite weak colour without using a whole tube of food colouring!

Second method:

1 cup of rice
Ready mixed paint (about 1 tbs or a good squirt!)
Zip lock bag

We put the ingredients together in a zip lock bag – and voila – beautiful bold colours!

To speed up the drying process I have popped it in a low oven (if only I had been more organised!)

All ready to go for later today!

Diva Pots:

I have some air dry clay so we will make some pinch pots and decorate them.

Diwali Sweets:

This is a great recipe for simple Diwali sweets.

Milk Powder – 1 cup.
Condensed milk – 6 tbsp.
Dessicated coconut – 1 cup.
Food colouring.

This recipe should make about 12 sweets. 

Put coconut, a few drops of water and food colouring in a plastic bag.  Shake the bag well.  The coconut should change colour.  Now make the balls. Mix milk powder and condensed milk in a bowl.  Mix it with a spoon first to start combining then finish your hands until it turns into a dough.  Make small bitesize balls from the dough. Tip the coconut mix onto a plate.  Cover the balls with coconut by rolling them (if the dough is not sticky enough to hold the coconut then dip ball quickly in some water), then place them in a small cake case.  Some children have said they don’t like coconut so please use sprinkles for some sweets.

Pinterest:

I wish I had more time to write… for more Diwali ideas have a look at Diwali pinterest board.