Diwali, the festival of lights, is widely celebrated in our country. With the entire nation glowing brightly with lights and people celebrating the festivities together, it is a wonderful time for everyone.Parents interact with each other, children burst crackers, and there is happiness all around. However, children may get bored after a point, hence you will need something to keep them engaged. So, we have some amazing Diwali activities and games for children to play this Diwali and make it a memorable one.1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quiz Time: If your house is buzzing with relatives and their children, it is a good time to get all the children busy by making them participate in a quiz. Pick certain topics about <a href="https://www.beeparenting.com/s/diwali-gk---qna" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Diwali Quiz</a> and they will enjoy them. You can divide the children into two teams and let each team quiz each other. Make sure you keep prizes for everyone so that nobody is sad about Diwali.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jewellery Making: Instead of giving your children actual gems and precious items, let them pick some household items such as pasta covers, beads, and other essential things. Ask them to paint these items using and then sprinkle glitter. Allow them to turn those raw items into great jewellery pieces. These jewellery items can go with their festive wear and on other special occasions as well.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Paper Firecrackers: Although crackers are something that children look forward to on Diwali, it is important to make them realize the negative effects of the crackers on the environment. Engage them in craft activities where you help them create rockets and firecrackers out of colourful paper, decorate them, and hang them or stick them on a wall for a festive look.4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rangoli Art: Although rangoli is traditionally done by girls and women, let’s evolve in modern times and include all children to try out their hand at it. Give them some specific designs that they have to make in different areas of the house or provide them with a printable worksheet and ask them to decorate with different craft materials and colour them, which would be supervised by older children. Later on, let them unleash their creative best and come up with some beautiful ways to enhance their creativity.5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diya Painting: Diwali is a festival of lights and is incomplete if your house is not illuminated with the diyas all around. This Diwali, let those diyas not be bland and allow your children to paint those diyas with colours of their choice. Make use of watercolours, paints, and everything at your disposal to provide the little ones with the tools to deck up those simple diyas.6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diwali Stories: Narrating the story of Lord Rama’s win over evil and his triumphant return to his people in Ayodhya, can be a good story to play. Let the children showcase their talent during the Diwali celebrations and get over their ‘stage-fright (in case they have any!)7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Musical Chairs: The simplicity of the game might make you feel like a weird addition for a festive occasion such as Diwali, but when you have siblings, relatives, and friends at one place, any game is fun. Let children play separately or mix them up with adults as well. Choose the popular songs of the time and let your children have fun running around and rushing to grab that empty chair.8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diwali Work Book: Let your child discover India and one of the most fascinating Indian holidays with this <a href="https://www.beeparenting.com/u/z6236k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Diwali Free PDF printable worksheet</a>. Enhance your child skill by printing the worksheet and using the printable worksheet to learn more about the Diwali Festival of Lights.9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fancy Dress Competition: Use Diwali to create a fun, fancy dress competition, maybe by using the Diwali colours as a theme? You can ask children to dress up in the shades of yellow, orange or red and get creative as they can.10.&nbsp;&nbsp;Making Paper Lanterns: This fun and easy activity will add to your festive decorations. Use these <a href="https://www.beeparenting.com/u/Q86JEG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lanterns</a> to decorate your home during Diwali and many more festivals, occasions and events. Your kid will feel immense pride when their masterpiece would be displayed in the house.11.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tongue Twister Challenge:&nbsp;Diwali games at home are incomplete without the tongue twister challenge. This game will give you sure-shot, belly-aching laughter like none other. You just need to write down some tongue-twister phrases on chits. Come up with innovative tongue twisters or buy the latest tongue twister book online - your choice! Now allow your guests to pick a chit. Now comes the most fun part! The players need to say whatever is written on the chit again and again without breaks. If they fail, a nasty dare awaits!&nbsp;12.&nbsp;&nbsp;Play Dough Rangoli: Interesting way to add to the festive fun! Give each one of them a play dough kit and ask them to make a rangoli out of it. You may want to show them an example.Let them know they can take the kit to add to their delight. You can give them some sequences/embellishments too to decorate their play dough rangoli.13.&nbsp;Movie Time: Arrange for some popcorn and sandwiches and nimboo pani. Create a movie-like atmosphere in the room with curtains closed and dim lighting. Select a favourite movie and watch it with them.Hope you like the above ideas? Would you try them out for the children? We’d love to know how you plan to celebrate Diwali this time.Wishing you all a happy, safe, and prosperous Diwali!

Here are some interesting activities that your little ones can try this Diwali and have a wonderful time together with your children. Happy and prosperous Diwali.

13 Wonderful Diwali Games and Activities for Children

Diwali is not only a time for celebration, but also for family get-togetherness and activities! Here are some interesting activities that your little ones can try this Diwali and have a wonderful time together.

<ul><li>Make sure to get your child fully checked before the winter starts.</li><li>Make sure that all heating appliances like geysers &amp; heaters are in working condition.</li><li>Adequate warm clothing is essential but makes sure to NOT over-dress your baby as it can be extremely uncomfortable for him/her. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Always remember to make them warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat. The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.</li><li>Give warm water baths to your child. Make sure that there is a balance between the bathroom and the bedroom temperature so that your child does not get uncomfortable after the bath.</li><li>There should be no gusts of cold winds when you are bathing your baby.</li><li>Give adequate necessary vitamins and nutrients essential for proper growth to your child.</li><li>When riding/travelling in a car, make them wear thin, snug layers rather than thick, bulky coats or snowsuits.</li><li>Use sleep clothing for babies like warm one-piece sleepers or wearable blankets instead of loose bedding like blankets, quilts, pillows, bumpers, and sheepskins as they are a cause of suffocating deaths.</li><li>If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be thin and tucked under the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the baby's chest.</li><li>Prevent cold and flu by getting kids to:</li></ul>-Use soap and water: Washing their hands frequently will reduce the spread of germs.-Cover their mouth: Sneezing or coughing into the bend of their elbows also helps prevent the spreading of germs.-Get immunised: Keep vaccinations current, including the flu shot.<ul><li>Include soup in your baby’s diet. A healthy soup in cold weather will keep your baby warm.</li><li>Maintain your own hygiene: Make sure to wash and sanitise your hands before you attend to your baby every time. You need to stay healthy so that your child does not catch any infections because of you.</li><li>Use a Humidifier: When using a heating apparatus during winters it could rob the room of water vapour, making the air dry as well as your child’s skin. Hence, install a humidifier in the room so that the moisture levels are maintained.</li><li>Make use of a moisturiser for your baby as your little one's skin will be extremely sensitive and the harsh atmosphere of the winter can make it dry. Opt for skin creams or moisturisers that are made for the baby’s skin.</li><li>Protect your child from hypothermia. Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy.&nbsp;Speech may become slurred.</li><li>If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call for an emergency at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him/her in blankets or warm clothes.</li><li>Another thing to keep your baby safe from is frostbite. Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen.&nbsp;This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose.&nbsp;They may become pale, grey and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.</li><li>If you suspect frostbite, bring the child indoors and place the frostbite parts of his/her body in warm (not hot) water. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten noses, ears and lips. Do not rub the frozen areas. After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink. If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.</li></ul>

Taking the right precautionary steps before the arrival of any season will keep your baby safe and healthy.

Winter Precautions for Babies

Taking the right precautionary steps before the arrival of any season will keep your baby safe and healthy.

Precautions for Babies During the Winter Season

If your child is laughing without any specific reason or if (s)he is talking, crying or staying silent way too much without any understandable reason, this might indicate that your child is unable to understand what is going on in a particular situation. When children have insecurity of being judged as someone who cannot gauge what is going around in his/her space, they react in a way in which people around them are not able to catch the fact that the child is not understanding anything happening around him/her. From the child’s perspective, (s)he feels, "Come on! I don’t get it. Why do you want me to understand everything”. They choose not to be vocal about how they feel. So they keep reacting in odd ways. Sometimes children are scared and think "If I go say that I don’t understand this and ask again, my parents will get angry and scold me.” You need to analyse the scenarios in which your child laughs too much. Ask you this question - Is this situation particularly funny and laughable or is my child just acting oddly because of (s)he lacks understanding of the situation? If you feel that your child lacks understanding, talk to them in private and ensure them that you are there to understand them and not mock them or be angry at them. Reassure them that if they don't feel right about anything, they can come to you and talk to you; there will be no judgements. If things are out of control and you cannot help manage your child's behaviour, you should consult a child psychologist who can help you solve this problem by taking steps in the right direction.

Pay attention to the situations in which your child laughs too much; this will help you to understand the problem better.

When a child laughs too much

Pay attention to the situations in which your child laughs too much; this will help you to understand the problem better.

It's trickier to keep babies safe in monsoons, but taking care of a few important things can make it alright: <ul><li>Make sure that your baby’s clothes are dry and warm. Clothes often remain cold and damp after a wash in the monsoon. Clothes that remain damp can result in your baby catching a fever or cold. It is also best to opt for breathable cotton fabrics and avoid synthetics that may cause rashes.</li><li>Monsoons are always accompanied by several insects and germs like flies, fungus mosquitoes, etc. Hence the chances of babies falling ill also increase during monsoons. To keep your baby free of these, ensure that you and everyone else handling your baby should stay clean. Keep an eye out for nappy rash - change diapers regularly and apply a good diaper rash cream.</li><li>Disinfect your home and surroundings too regularly to keep germs away. Unclean surroundings can harbour many disease-causing insects and pests, as well as bacteria.</li><li>Monsoon brings with it malaria and dengue causing mosquitoes. To prevent your baby from catching these diseases, it is best to use bed nets or mesh windows. You can also use mosquito repellent creams for your baby after consulting with a doctor. There are also liquid, card and coil repellents available that are safe and effective against mosquitoes.</li><li>It is best not to take your baby out during monsoons, especially when it is raining. The humidity and the change in temperatures might lead to your baby catching the flu. If you have to take your baby out, make sure that your baby is covered correctly and completely dry throughout your outing. If you go out, avoid dirty areas with puddles and mud. Ensure that you are not taking your baby to crowded places as it’s easier to get infected with people around. When you take your child outdoors, keep wet wipes handy to ensure your baby stays clean all the time.</li><li>Some infants are allergic to specific pollen and allergens. Make sure your baby is kept away from these during the rains. If you notice any rash, redness or other symptoms, consult your doctor immediately and get it checked.</li><li>Check your house for dampness, leakage before the monsoon arrives. Get them fixed if there is a problem. Check for fungus or moulds around the house. Secure the loose electric wiring, if any. Clean the drains and keep bathrooms hygienic</li><li>Always feed freshly prepared food to your baby in monsoon as food tends to spoil quickly in monsoon.</li><li>Since you can’t always find clean water when you’re outside, make sure you carry a small bottle of sanitiser and use it to clean your hands whenever handling the baby.</li><li>Many doctors recommend getting a flu booster shot when the monsoons are around. Make sure your baby gets all his/her shots before the monsoon.</li><li>Since a baby is primary indoors in monsoon (s), he doesn’t need a daily bath. Two to three times a week, and especially around humid times, can give your baby relief from the heat as well. If your child has been outside, definitely give him a nice warm water bath.</li></ul>

Monsoon Precautions for Babies | Tips & Precautions

Monsoon Tips and Precautions for Babies

Kids tend to avoid healthy food due to the high taste levels of junk food. These activities will be a great help to develop their interest in food:<ul><li>Take them for grocery shopping.</li><li>Cook and Bake with them; there is nothing more exciting than this.</li><li>Teach them gardening - grow foods in your backyard.</li><li>Place the food on the plate in the colours of a rainbow; this way you can include all sorts of food on your child's plate. The easiest way is to prepare a food salad or a vegetable salad.</li><li>Hide vegetables and fruits in an opaque box or carry bag and ask the child to close their eyes. Then ask them to put their hand inside the bag, pick up food, feel it and then try to identify the vegetable/fruit through its texture. You can do this activity separately for vegetables and fruits to make it easier for your child.</li><li>Food obstacle course activity. Design an obstacle course in your house where you place different fruits/vegetables as obstacles. The child will have to eat a small portion of that vegetable or fruit before advancing forward. You can carry out this activity in a group and it will be a lot more fun.</li><li>Weave a story around fruits and vegetables and narrate those during their mealtime; check out food-related stories on our app.</li><li>Sing them songs/rhymes about food; you can a few songs related to food on our app.</li></ul> Keep in mind:<ul><li>Do not give them screens during mealtime; this way they will know what they are eating and will appreciate the food on their plates.</li><li>Let them have their favourite snack or dessert once in a while. But do not use them as treats for eating the food that they like less.</li></ul>

Thinking of interesting ways to present food to your child(ren) will make them eat all types of food.

Activities to encourage and develop child's interest in food

Thinking of interesting ways to present food to your child(ren) will make them eat all types of food.

Activities to develop your child interest in food

Experts advise that mittens should ideally be worn till 6 weeks. You can put mittens on at nights or when the baby is sleeping to keep them warm.

How Long Should A Baby Wear Mittens? Parenting Concern

Experts advise that mittens should ideally be worn till 6 weeks. If you keep mittens on the baby's hands and toes for longer, it will be difficult for them to move their hands/toes. Baby needs to explore and will need free use of their hands and toes, which is important for developmental purposes. You can put mittens on at nights or when the baby is sleeping to keep them warm.

till what age to use mittens for baby

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