02 Nov Diwali Craft Projects To Make With Children

This time of the year is so special for Vaishnavas because of the many festivals that celebrate Lord Krishna in His different manifestations and pastimes. In the month of Damodar (October-November), we celebrate Bahulashtami, Diwali, Govardhana puja, and Gopashtami. For devotees of ISKCON, there is also a celebration of the disappearance day of its founder acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada. We use the opportunity to increase our devotional service and gain more spiritual mercy, which is available at this precious time.

Diwali is the most widely known festival among all that are mentioned. In different parts of India, people celebrate different traditions connected to this festival. In the north, they celebrate Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. In the south, they celebrate Krishna’s victory over the Narakasura demon. Gaudiya Vaishnavas glorify Diwali as the day that Damodar Lila occurred. Overall, it symbolizes a victory of light over darkness, of good over evil, and we lit lamps to acknowledge it.

Children are usually thrilled by lighting lamps for Diwali. With young children, we can easily enter the mood of joy welcoming Lord Rama back home by playing or narrating a story. With older children, we can dive deeper into the pastime of Ramayana and discuss different topics such as demoniac versus godly nature, the importance of keeping a promise, and the consequences of bad advice. Apart from this, we can include a variety of Diwali craft projects to make with children, such as:

1. Making lamps or candle holders out of clay or salt dough. Here is an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to do it with children: http://www.motheropedia.com/diy-candle-holder/

2. Repurposing glass jars to create decorative and colorful candle holders. Here is a simple way you can make it at home. You cover the glass jar from the outside with decoupage glue using a painting brush and add some colorful transparent paper pieces, sequins, or glitter powder. When you are done decorating your lamp holder, you can apply one more coat of decoupage glue and leave it to dry. When it’s ready, put the candle inside the jar and offer it to Krishna!

3. It’s always interesting to make some paper diyas or lamps for wall decoration. Here is a tutorial that older children can follow; it requires some measurement with a ruler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GmliDkpziwQ

4. Additionally, to practice artistic expression we can paint or draw Diwali posters and rangoli patterns. With young children, it’s easy to cut some pieces of colorful paper and let them arrange some easy rangoli patterns, then glue them on the sheet of paper.

5. If we can get some natural bee wax, it’s fun to make bee wax candles with children, which are much more environmentally friendly than commonly used paraffin candles, and they smell so good! Here is a tutorial for making tea light bee wax candles at home:

https://redandhoney.com/how-to-make-your-own-beeswax-tea-light-candles

Making and lighting lamps and candles is not reserved for the Diwali celebration only, but we can extend it through the whole month of Kartik and the cozi autumn season. We’re entering the dark part of the year and should keep our inner light shining to lead us forward.

Happy Diwali to all!