I grew up in an old colony like atmosphere, where the premises were closed like the modern day residential complexes. We did not have to worry about trespassers and our parents let us lose anywhere within the premises. Also because all heads of the families living in the colony worked in the same office, our parents did not really have to worry about our naughty endeavors, because in every nook and corner of the colony, there was someone who would identify us. Before we would reached our homes, our parents would be informed over the phone, about what we have been upto.  But then we had the craziest fun during the festivals with dozens of kids forming groups based on their age groups and having the fun of their lifetime.

I most enjoyed the festival of colors during the fifteen years we lived in the colony. As kids we would always be running helter skelter  from our elder teenaged sibling groups for fear of being bullied by them into water tubs and mud pits filled with water. Though we did not regret the same too much, but it was fun to be on the run right until the later hours of afternoon, while our parents formed groups to visit the neighbors and friends to put gulal (color) on each other and feast on the sweets and savories cooked at home.

But those were days of our childhood, when roaming around on the streets was safe. When we did not have to worry about abuse by boys who were our neighbors and we were free to enjoy all festivals in their true spirit.  In the present day, roaming around the streets is not considered safe. People are vary of color smudged boys and men roaming around and do not wish to let their kids free for safety reasons.

As we approach Holi this year, I have put down some of the things that present age parents can plan to enjoy the festival of colors with their kids.

A Holi Party At Home With Abir (Gulal) and Flowers

I tend to have a biased towards the water colors and pichkari to truly enjoy holi. But the risk of landing with rashes and allergies to chemical colors that are available in abundance in the market, there has been a radical shift towards people celebrating holi with only dry chemical free color powders and flowers. I have been a part of once such party in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it.

One may also devise games around how many flowers can one garner from the heap, or a prize can be given out for the person with maximum number of colors on the face.

Kids will love the kesar thandai in milk, and some light snacks that allow them to play for long without getting tired. Dry Fruits, gujiya and moong dal ka halwa are still my must have favorites on the holi menu.

Holi at a Water Park

If you are okk with the idea of kids getting wet but do not wish to create a mess of your home, going to a water park is a very good idea. A lot of other events across major lawns of cities are also organized to enable people to enjoy holi without worrying about the cleaning up later. Most of suc holi parties are all expenses covered events with food and drinks in abundance. You may then clean yourself up in the changing rooms at the party venue itself, and come back home all clean and satiated.

Check out for the holi events in your city at BookMyShow. Most major and well organized events sell their passes on this platform.

Attend Holi Special Events

Holi is generally associated with good humor and high spirits. Events such as Kavi Sammellan and Raas Leela are organized on small and large scales in every city. If you have kids big enough to understand literary humor, one of these events is a must go.

You may also register with kids’ special events where they organize various holi related activities. Some of the popular activities at such Holi camps are

  • Understanding the history of Holi through Story Telling
  • Creating Holi special T-shirts with fabric colors
  • Non-flame cooking – chats, bhel, fruits slaws can be assembled without any cooking and kids enjoy making them with their little hands and later enjoy savoring on them

So what are your plans for Holi? Share your fond memories of celebrating the festival of colors and things you plan to do with your kids this Holi.

I am linking this post to #MondayMommyMoments by Amrita and Deepa

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8 Replies to “3 Ways to celebrate a Memorable Holi with kids”

  1. Reminds me of my childhood holi – days 😛 We were a huge group of friends who started early in the morning and kept going till abt late afternoon. Those are some great ideas on celebrating with kids. 🙂

  2. I miss my younger days when we used to play Holi. I must have played it only for 2-3 years but your post brought back some beautiful memories.

  3. Loved your post. My son loves to play holi and no matter how much I try to keep him away from colors and water, he makes all attempts to enjoy as much as he can with colors. But yes holi is dry colors (Gulal) is far better and safe for kids.

  4. This reminded me of our childhood holi where we too lived in a housing complex where all the families worked in the same office. How carefree and fun were those days. I miss them. Holi doesnt have the same meaning for me anymore as a grownup. But I would love to give my child the same experience.

  5. I love the idea of playing holi with flowers 🙂 this was our second holi and we did play with some dry colours.. she’s too young now but next year I plan to do a story telling session on important and story behind holi 🙂

  6. We played flower holi too in childhood. Holi events and activities create so much interest in the festival. Sadly we could just use lil gulal and not much this time.

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