What is Rakhi?

Raksha Bandhan, which is also often called Rakhi, is a Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. It is celebrated on a full moon in the month of Sravana in the lunar calendar.

The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. Traditionally, during the festival sisters tie a rakhi, a bracelet, around their brothers’ wrists to celebrate their relationship.

Below is a picture of my daughter tying on a bracelet to her brother. Here’s a few closeups of what our rakhi’s looked like from India. My husband received his from his sister.

Rakhi’s can be purchased at your local india store, made by had or purchased them online. Like these rakhi bracelets on Amazon.

What is Raksha Bandhan?

This Hindu holiday symbolizes the unmatched bond of love, care and respect.

… directly translated as, “the bond of protection”, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a festival primarily observed in India, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother’s wrist. This symbolizes the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being, and the brother’s lifelong vow to protect her.

Source: Wikipedia

Raksha Bandhan Videos for Kids

Here are a few kid friendly rakhi videos to show your child as you learn about Raksha Bandhan with your child. Perfect to show for a rakhi celebration ideas for preschool or kindergarten.

Watch this Rakshi Bandha Story from The Rakhi Connection 

Check out this video from Global Wonders about Rakhi…so cute!

Here’s a song for the kids to learn!

Here’s one more video celebrating Rakhi with brothers and sisters.

Learning About Rakhi with Kids 

Here’s how they celebrate Rakhi on Sesame Street. We we so excited one morning when we discovered that they were celebrating Rakhi on Sesame Street. It’s so important for children to see their culture in the shows, movies and books that they read.

Here’s a fun way to pretend play with India sweets using playdough.
You will love to smell our own creation of playdough… cardamom scented playdough

Check out more background info about Raksha Bandhan.

Want to make your own Rakhi Bracelet?

Here are a few tutorials for how to make Rakhi’s for kids. They would be perfect to set up one for your activities for rakhi celebration.

• Tutorial for Easy Rakhis
• Handmade DIY Rakhis
• Making Rakhi using Craft Foam
• Handmade Beaded Rakhi Tutorial
• Easy Beaded Rakhi Bracelet
• Paper Quilling Rakhi

Friendship bracelets are very similar to Rakhi’s.  It’s fun to see how different traditions have found their way across the world in different ways. You could make these a part of you Rakhi celebration ideas in school!

Rakhi Books for Kids

There are a few books that I recommend finding at your local library, book store or buy them now on Amazon by clicking on the image to bring home and read with your child about Rakhi or bring to a Rakhi celebration in preschool.

• Amma Tell Me About Raksha Bandhan!
• Rani and the Very Special Rakhi
• Shanti and the Knot of Protection: A Rakhi Story by Amita Roy Shah
• Shalu, Happy Raksha Bandhan
• Thread of Love

Sibling Activities for Rakhi

• Write down best qualities of each other.
• Make a picture collage of their best moments.
• Draw a funny picture of each other.
• Write a poem or story for each other.
• Play games: Bring siblings together to play these fun games and take the celebration upon the enjoyment meter. (If a sibling is away, set up a video conference call and play these game online to spend some quality time together.)

Can’t wait to celebrate today with my son and daughters and my husband and sister-in-law. They are all so very blessed to have a brother! 

Happy Rakhi!

To Learn More About India Culture

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Let’s get ready to go on an adventure to India through this hand-picked collection of children’s books!

My husband is from India and we are always looking for books for our children to learn about India. We select books to recommend that discuss the land, landmarks, social life, festivals, language, religion, folktales, events, and clothing.

Anything that we can use to encourage our children to learn about their culture since we can’t visit there all the time. Of course, nothing can replace an actual visit to spend time in the daily life of a culture, especially in India.

Here are a few photos of our everyday experiences when we brought our daughter for the first time a few years ago for my sister-in-law’s wedding. She enjoyed a rickshaw ride, playing with the front gate, and even learning to sweep with an Indian broom. 

Here’s a peek at our latest trip to New Delhi India with both of our girls and their cousins.

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon 

Books about India for Kids 

Here are some of the books that we’ve been enjoying in our house about India.

Informational Books about India

Starting with the facts about India is a good place to begin this learning adventure with your child. Take a moment and find on your map where the country of India is located and its 1.38 billion citizens.

• T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet
• India (A True Book: Geography
• India ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of India

• A Kid’s Guide to India
• A Children’s History of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta
• The History of India for Children by Archana Garodia Gupta
  

• I Is for India (World Alphabets)
• Illustrated Atlas of India: A Visual Guide to the Land, Its People and Culture
• Tiny Travelers India Treasure Quest by Susie Jaramillo
• We, The Children Of India by Seth Leila

Books About Daily Life in India

The next types of books to explore are the daily activities that happen in India.

• Going to School in India
• Monsoon Afternoon
• Monsoon
• A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India

• Namaste Is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam
• Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand
• I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca
• Gope and Meera: A Migration Story by Ritu Hemnani and Samidha Gunjal

Books for Learning about Clothing from India

One special thing that your child may notice is that fashion can look different when you’re connecting with families from India. Take this time to learn about Saris and Lenghas and even the Bindi’s the women from India will where at times.

• Mama’s Sari
• My Dadima Wears a Sari
• Bindu’s Bindis

• A Sari for Ammi
• Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz
• The Katha Chest by Radhiah Chowdhury
• How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani

Stories from India for Kids

There are so many stories and folktales that have come from India since it’s beginning of civilization, many years ago. You may even spend some time exploring how old India is.

• Be the Change
• Indian Children’s Favorite Stories
• I am Gandhi

• Stories from India
• Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India
• Finders Keepers?: A Bus Trip in India

• Maya and Leela Present: Dances of India
• Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend
• The Drum: A Folktale from India
• Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca

Books about Food in India

The food that can be found in Indian kitchens and restaurants is full of flavor and aroma. It’s personally one of my favorite types of food. Here’s a peek at a few of our favorite Indian recipes to make with kids.

• Bilal Cooks Daal 
• 10 Gulab Jamuns by Sandhya Acharya (Listen to the Read Aloud)
• P Is for Poppadoms!: An Indian Alphabet Book by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal (Listen to Read Aloud)

• Masala Chai, Fast and Slow by Rajani LaRocca
• India on a Plate!: Indian Food from A to Z by Archana Sreenivasan
• Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra

• What Should I Make?
• Chaat and Sweets (Listen to the Read Aloud)
• Hot Hot Roti for Dada-Ji

• Chaiwala! by Priti Birla Maheshwari
• Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi
• Kalamata’s Kitchen by Sarah Thomas

• One Grain Of Rice by Demi
• The Spice Box by Meera Sriram
• Meera Makes Aloo Paratha by Sangeetha Narayan

Books about Indian Culture for Kids

One thing that can be fun to explore when learning about other countries is the culture that can be seen in the everyday lives of its citizens. These stories highlight all the special things in Indian culture from the eyes of a child.

Here’s a peek at our recent trip to New Delhi, India with our kids with tips for where to travel with kids.

• The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Good Night India (Good Night Our World) by Nitya Khemka
• Mina vs. the Monsoon
  

• Finding Om
• Thread of Love by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal (Listen to Read Aloud)
• Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca
• Always Anjali

• Pashmina
• Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala
• The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story

• Tiny Travelers India Treasure Quest 
• Same, Same But Different
• Rapunzel (Once Upon a World)

• Maya
• Indra Nooyi: A Kid’s Book About Trusting Your Decisions (Mini Movers and Shakers)
• Rangoli: Discovering the Art of Indian Decoration

• Mother Goose Goes to India
• Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand
• Ritu Weds Chandni

• Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps by Srividhya Venkat
• I Am An Amazing Asian Girl: A Positive Affirmation Book For Asian Girls by Yobe Qiu
• I Am a Bold Asian Boy: A Positive Affirmation Book for Asian Boys by Yobe Qiu
• Asian Adventures A-Z Foods: Delicious Asian Foods From A-Z by Yobe Qiu
• Asian Adventures A-Z by Yobe Qiu
• American Desi by Jyoti Rajan Gopal
• A Garden in My Hands by Meera Sriram

• Lali’s Feather by Farhana Zia
• Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins
• Lali’s Flip-Flops by Farhana Zia

• Seven Golden Rings by Rajani Larocca
• She Sang for India: How M.S. Subbulakshmi Used Her Voice for Change by Suma Subramaniam
• Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh
• Amma, Take Me To The Golden Temple by Bhakti Mathur
• Amma, Take Me to Tirupati by Bhakti Mathur
• Our World: India by Meera Sriram

Hindi Books for Kids

There are many languages spoken in India. The Indian constitution recognizes 22 major languages of India. Just around half of those living in India speak Hindi.

Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world after Mandarin, Spanish, and English.

• My First Hindi Book: Learn Colors, Counting, And Animals In Hindi
• My First Book of Hindi Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Hindi Language and Indian Culture
• The Toddler’s Handbook
  

• A is for Anaar: My First Hindi Alphabet Book
• My First Hindi Words! (There are more in this series too!)
• Bindi Baby Animals (Hindi): A Beginner Language Book for Hindi Children (There a whole series of these books)

Diwali Books for Kids

One of the most popular festivals in India is Diwali. Here are a few of our favorite books about this festival of lights.

We’ve shared our favorite Diwali books for kids here in this article.

• Diwali (Celebrate the World)
• Binny’s Diwali
• Shubh Diwali!

Holi Books for Kids

Explore and learn about the festival of colors as Hindu families welcome spring.

These are our favorite Holi books for kids.

• Festival of Colors
• Celebrate Holi With Me! 
• Let’s Celebrate Holi! (Maya & Neel’s India Adventure Series)
• Amma Tell Me About Holi!

Books about Hindu Gods

As you explore more about India, you’ll discover that about 95% of the world’s Hindus live in India. Nearly 80% of India’s Population. Here are a few kid-friendly books about Hindu Gods and Hindu festivals.

• Hanuman and the Orange Sun
• Ganesh and the Little Mouse
• Padmini is Powerful

• My Divine Friends
• Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth
• Meet My Hindu Gods Cultural Kids Book

• My First Book Of Hindu Gods and Goddesses
• The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow
• Classic Tales from India: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head and Other Stories
• Elephant Prince: The Story of Ganesh

• Ganesha’s Great Race by Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes
• Ramayana for Kids by Rita Gandhi
• The Amma Tell Me Krishna Trilogy: Three Book Set by Bhakti Mathur

• My Little Book of Lakshmi by Penguin India
• My Little Book of Ganesha by Penguin India
• My Little Book of Durga by Penguin India

• My Little Book of Shiva by Penguin India
• My Little Book of Hanuman by Penguin India
• My Little Book of Krishna by Penguin India
• My Little Book of Gods and Goddesses Boxset

• Ten Heroes, The incarnations of Sri Vishnu by Chanel Enjoem
• Little Goloka by Chanel Enjoem
• Please Please Open Your Eyes by Chanel Enjoem

What are the best children’s books about India? 

The collection of choices of books about India has grown quite a bit over the years. This updated list highlights to top picks of children’s picture books all about India.

Which book about India will you read first?

Activities about India For Kids

This past month I had the chance to go into my daughter’s classroom and teach about India. This experience is something I highly recommend to anyone whose family background is from another country. It was so much fun to share with the students and also helps them to discover something special about each other. Here’s the printables we used about India.

As I talked about India with the students I also shared personal photos of our family visiting the sites and landmarks we were sharing in the book. It seemed to bring everything to life for the kids. I know many of them even went home to share with their families what they had learned. 

I also created an India Printable for them each time I visited so that they could share the new words and places they had learned about. Plus it’s a great way for parents to follow up at home.

Want more: Explore our Let’s Learn about India Series

Explore Indian Recipes, Landmarks, Clothing, Animals, Hindi, Music, Arts, Festivals!

India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15th every year to commemorate the day in 1947 when India gained independence from British rule. The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who is considered to be the father of modern India.

Together you can discover and discuss as you help your child learn more about this significant date in history. Get started by exploring these activities, books, and videos that are all about India’s Independence Day.

India’s Independence Day Activities for Kids

India is a land of many cultures and languages, with over 1.4 billion people. India has 22 separate official languages, it is home to a total of 121 languages and 270 mother tongues. India is the world’s largest democracy, and it is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

Here are a few fun facts to learn about India…

Fun Facts for Kids About India

• India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15th every year.
• India gained independence from British rule in 1947.
• The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The national flag of India is called the Tricolour.
• The national anthem of India is called Jana Gana Mana.
• India is a land of many cultures and languages.
• India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
• India is the world’s largest democracy.
• India is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

Bonus Fact: On January 26 Republic Day is celebrated and marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950.

Flag of India

The national flag of India is called the Tricolour. On the flag, the top band is of Saffron color, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace, purity, and truth with Ashoka Chakra. The last band is green in color showing the fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land.

On August 16, 1947 India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the national flag and since then the tradition has been made and every year Prime Minister of India hoists the flag on August 15 at Red Fort.

Here’s a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the Indian flag for 2022 celebrations.

National Anthem of India – Jana Gana Mana

The national anthem of India is called Jana Gana Mana, and it is a song that celebrates the unity and diversity of India.

My favorite version of Jana Gana Mana is this when the great classical vocalists of India render the Indian National Anthem.

This video highlights young children dressed up as many of the freedom fighters during the time of India’s Independence.

The next video highlights the Sounds of India | A one of a kind National Anthem. It is a unique AI powered musical experiment, Prasar Bharati, Virtual Bharat and Google invited users from across India to sing our national anthem.

Here are 10 Things to Know About India’s National Anthem from Google Arts and Culture.

India’s Independence Day Crafts

One fun way to get the kids involved is to create colorful Independence Day crafts highlighting the flag colors of India. We’ve handpicked 17 activities that are good for all ages to celebrate India!

Which one will you make first?

India Bunting Kids Craft with Coffee Filters are inexpensive and so fun to color.

Indian Paper Flag make great Indian Independence Day Decorating Ideas or hand-held fans for kids!

Paper Fan Bunting in saffron, white and green are easy to make and perfect to hang up!

Paper Chain for Independence Day is a great inexpensive way to decorate.

3D Tricolored Snowflake Craft to hang around your room.

Using many hands you can create a Paint a Handprints India Flag.

Create a fine motor activity by Dot Painting the India Flag using Qtips.

Make your own Indian Flag Icecream Sticks.

Learn How to Draw and Color Map of India

Celebrate the special day by making India Flag Party Poppers.

Treasure your little one’s hand by making a Handprint India Flag.

Send eye-catching Independence Day Pop-Up Cards to a loved one.

Add glue and yard to cardboard to make a Tricolor Map of India with Yarn Pieces.

Using a cardboard India Map Outline with Tri-Colored Rice create a keepsake.

Find a clear container to create this Tricolor Map Craft with a Recycled Container.

Create a fun India Flag Rangoli with colored sand.

Get ready for kite flying by following this How to Make Tricolour Kite.

Make this delicious Indian samosas recipe for kids to share for Independence Day.

Once you’ve made a few crafts highlighting the Indian Flag, it’s time for a good book or two about India!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

India Books for Kids

One of my favorite ways to learn about something new with a child is with a book!

Here are my top picks of books about India for kids. This book list highlights non-fiction books about India. You can also find many Indian books for kids here on this book list.

My Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan

Illustrated Atlas of India: A Visual Guide to the Land, Its People and Culture by DK

A Children’s History of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta

Living in… India: Ready-to-Read Level 2 by Chloe Perkins

T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet by Varsha Bajaj

India (A True Book) by Sunita Apte

Saffron, White and Green: The Amazing Story of India’s Independence by Subhadra Sen Gupta

The History of India for Children from Prehistory to Sultantes (Vol 1) by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

The History of India for Children – from Mughals to the Present by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

The History of India for Children (Vol. 2): From The Mughals To The Present by Archana Garodia Gupta & Shruti Garodia

A Flag, A Song And A Pinch Of Salt: Freedom Fighters Of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta

I am Gandhi (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer

You can find more books about India here for kids.

Historic Moments from Independence Day in 1947

For older children explore these resources available to look back at history with photos, videos, and books. All the resources linked in this Independence Day Guide are mom-approved and teacher-approved by me.

You can start with your peek back in history at these photos from Independence Day Celebrations 1947 from Google Arts and Culture.

Next you can listen to A Tryst with Destiny Speech by Prime Minister Nerhi on the eve of independence It is considered to be one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century.

Watch this video of PM Jawaharlal Nehru at first Independence Day at Red Fort, Delhi.

This time in history also marks the anniversary of the partition of the subcontinent into two countries, India and Pakistan, which occurred at midnight on August 14–15, 1947.

To make Independence Day for kids meaningful, tell them the story of India’s struggle for independence. Share stories of brave freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rani Laxmi Bai, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi and others, who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom.

For younger kids are you not sure where to start? Here’s How to Explain to Kids About the Importance of Independence Day in India.

Kids Videos Explaining India’s Independence Day

There are several age-appropriate videos to share with your child about Independence Day for India. Take a look below at our top video picks for kids.

I’m Independent | Independence Day Story | Independent Child | Jalebi Street 

Why we celebrate independence day Real story of India’s independence day

Indian Freedom Struggle | Pre Independence History of India | by Mocomi

Indian Independence Day Story in Hindi | Folktales – Hindi Stories

Indian Freedom Fighter | Know about Freedom Fighter by Rimi and Mimi

75 years in 2 minutes by Google India

75 years of Independence: the India story | The Hindu

Indian States, Union territories and Capitals

States of INDIA, Capitals and Languages | Akash Vukoti

Songs to Perform for Independence Day

One tradition for Independence Day is hosting performances. Here are a few that you could dance along to with your child. Check your local events to see if you have an Independence Day event in your community and join the celebration.

Independence Day Celebration | Cute little Kids | India Waale | G M Dance

India Waale X Suno Gaur Se | Patriotic Dance Video

Jai Ho Zumba Dance Video Tutorial

Independence Day Decorations

We had our local bakery make cupcakes to reflect the Indian Flag, there are so many fun ways to celebrate with your family and friends. Kite flying has also become an Independence Day tradition, with kites of various sizes, shapes, and colors filling the sky.

If you’re hosting, here are a few decorations you can also grab on Amazon for your celebration!

Places to Visit That Highlight India’s Independence

• Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
  The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since Independence and a narrative record of how each one has contributed to the development of our nation over the last 75 years. It is a history of collective effort and powerful evidence of the creative success of India’s democracy

• National Science Center in New Delhi
  One of the featured exhibits highlights the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the independence of the country will always be unforgettable. The merger of 565 princely states in India is the result of the efforts of Sardar Patel. It’s an attraction everyone should visit to truly understand India’s Independence Day history.

• India Gate
• National War Museum
• Parliament House / Sansad Bhavan Delhi
• Red Fort, Delhi

Here are some additional Museums that give a peak into the events of the Indian freedom struggle.

We hope that you have fun celebrating and learning more about Independence Day for India with your child. Don’t forget to download our India Virtual Field Trip Log to encourage your child to learn more about India.

HAVE AN IDEA? If you have any new resources or craft ideas to share, please let me know in the comments or email us! We’d love to include your Independence Day Ideas too!

You may also enjoy these activities about India…

My husband and I have talked about taking our girls to India for a very long time. This summer we finally made it happen, the stars aligned and we were able to visit India for a month. The best part was that it was a family reunion with my sister-in-law’s family and brother-in-law’s family visiting there too along with their parents at their family home in Faridabad, India.

The whole house was filled with cousins, fun, and memories of a lifetime. 

Here’s a peek at what we fit into our 4 weeks of traveling in India with all 13 of us.  

Planning for an international flight can be quite an adventure, ours was a direct flight from New York for 15 hours to New Delhi. We first had to make a few connecting flights out of our tiny town in North Florida with all our luggage. 

After arriving, we spent a few nights in Aerocity, near the airport at the Novotel hotel, and enjoyed ourselves as the girls transitioned into the Indian culture… very slowly. It was the perfect way to deal with jet lag for a few days after our 30-hour journey.

And we got the chance to begin our India culinary adventure with tons of restaurants in WorldMark and the amazing Indian buffet at the Novotel Hotel.

We had lots of places to visit on our agenda but the main focus for me was simply for us to experience everyday life in India.

This was my 5th visit and I still feel quite humbled each time I go to this magical country. The scale of economic diversity in one location is hard to put into words. The sounds, smells, and sites are unlike any other place I’ve visited. Here’s a peek at my other visits to India.

After being home for just 24 hours, it feels so quiet and simple here in our Florida home.

Did you know that over 32 million people call the city of New Delhi home? One of the biggest changes since visiting nearly 14 years ago, was the Delhi metro, it’s changed how easy it is to get around town and enjoy the landscape of one of the largest cities in the world.

Here are helpful tips for tourist sites near Delhi Metro Stations.

The bonus of our trip was realizing that India Google Maps exists now (My last visit was 14 years ago) I was able to understand more easily where everything is and how to get there.

Take a moment to explore India using Google Earth, it’s pretty cool.

We traveled either with the metro, the new e-rickshaws or we hired a private driver to take the whole family to key locations, which is pretty easy to do there and budget-friendly. By the way, they even have OLA and Uber, and a few other mobile app options for getting a ride.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Top Places to Visit in New Delhi with Kids

On our list of things to visit were historical landmarks, tourist attractions, and a few temples that are located in New Delhi. These are the places we visited with many locations left on our list for our next visit to India. We learned very quickly you can only fit so much in when traveling with grandparents and kids and a large group of people.  

Most of these key attractions are located within the city with a few that are a day trip option to visit, including the city of Agra. One of my goals was to see as many Indian UNESCO sites as we could.

Historial Landmarks

One of the unique things about visiting India is the historical landmarks that were built by the various dynasties thousands of years ago. There’s so much to learn about the Mughal dynasty as you explore these breathtaking sites.

• Qutab Minar
• The Red Fort
• Raj Ghat
• Humayun’s Tomb

A quick day trip you can head to Agra to visit this top places…

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Sikandra Fort
• Fatehpur Sikri Fort

Tourist Attractions

There are a few hidden gems in New Delhi to explore with your family. The nice part is so many things are just a short e-rickshaw ride away from one another if you plan it right.

• Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
• National Science Centre
• Nehru Planetarium
• India Gate
• National War Memorial
• Parliament House

These attractions were on our list to do but life got a bit busy with all of us, no worries it’s on our bucket list for the next visit.

• Waste to Wonder Park
• Garden of Five Senses
• National Gallery of Modern Arts
• National Zoological Park 
• Lodhi Gardens
• Snow World
• e-o-d Adventure Park
• National Rail Museum

Temples

Exploring the temples in India and learning more about religion and how it is so connected to daily lives is something unique to experience. These are a few temples that we visited based on our family members preferences. Before entering a temple everyone is required to remove shoes. Be sure to remember to dress accordingly, for both men and women, this generally means not wearing shorts and keeping the shoulders covered.

• Lotus Temple
• Akshardham Mandir
• Chatarpur Temple
• Bangla Saab Gurudwara
• Hanuman Temple
• Mangal Mahadevan Birla Kanan
• Dev Sthal Mandir
• Gurudwara Sachkhand Sahib

Typically you should also avoid taking photos inside of temples. Here are a few more things to know about visiting a Hindu temple or a Sikh temple (Gurdwara).

Places to Shop

It’s not a trip to India without doing some shopping. Here are a few of our favorite local places to find traditional Indian clothing, jewelry, and local artwork. We took our kids to both market street vendors where bargaining is expected and to some extremely large malls with set prices and great food courts.

• Lajpat Nagar
• Janpath
• Ambience Mall
• Crown Interiorz Mall
• Connaught Place
• DLF Mall of Noida
• Khan Market

TIP… I learned from my husband’s last trip, Amazon India can be a resourceful place for shopping for items from India too. On this trip, we were able to get a few traditional Indian Kurta With Palazzo And Dupatta. Plus some items to decorate for Diwali. Plus they offer cash on delivery.

Ideas for Family Time in India

Because we were spending time in India with all of our family members, experiencing everyday life through food and play was really important to us. Walking in the footsteps of my husband’s childhood was important to me for our kids to experience, it’s part of them now as they begin the next generation.

We were so lucky to be invited into the homes of our family members and neighbors throughout our stay. This was actually our daughters’ favorite thing from the trip, to connect with everyone and see into their daily lives. We wish would have had even more time with each of them and are so grateful for the support they provide to my inlaws when they are in their home in India.

There were so many delicious Indian meals and snacks, I can’t wait to spend more time learning and teaching my kids how to make Indian Food.

Here are a few of the fun things we included in our family time in India.

• Visiting aunties, uncles, cousins, and neighbors’ homes for chai and snacks
• Hosting a party for family and friends
• Taking many E-Rickshaw rides
• Visiting my husband’s old private school in Delhi
• Showing the kids his childhood home (We knocked and they even let us in)

• Getting Henna done
• Inviting Priest to do Havan ceremony in the inlaw’s home
• Breaking open and enjoying delicious coconut
• Enjoying monsoon season on the balcony
• Observing the Full Moon on the rooftop
• Rooftop adventures of Indian Kite flying

• Enjoying both the popular Haldiram and Bikanerwala Restaurants (many times)
• Going to a Movie (ticket prices are cheap compared to the US)
• Experiencing ordering Turkish Ice Cream
• Going out for Dominos Pizza
• Buying fresh produce from street vendors’ carts passing our home
• Feeding the Cows at the front gate
• Watching neighborhood monkeys
• Looking for peacocks and parrots
• Game time with cousins (Carom Board, Chess, Badminton, Cricket)
• And lots and lots and lots of ice cream

We can’t wait to return to do these all again very soon with all 3 of my kids and husband.

Tips for Taking Kids to India

• Weather – I’m not going to sugarcoat it, visiting India in the summer is HOT and HUMID. But if you’re traveling with kids, it’s the best time during the kids’ summer break from school. If you can swing it, winter break is much much cooler but sadly the pollution seems to be the worst during this time. To help with handling the heat, pack things like a neck fan and a cooling towel.    
• Foreigners Tickets – Just so you know ahead of time, foreigners tickets are far more expensive than local tickets for tourist attractions. Just be sure to budget accordingly.
• Indian Food – Start eating at Indian restaurants and cooking Indian food at home to prepare for your trip. Here’s one of our favorite in Indian Dishes. It includes a kid-friendly recipe too. Many of the dishes there can be on the spicier side, even for us. Keep a backup for your child. You can always find a Haldiram and Bikanerwala nearby, both delicious options with a large variety of dishes.
• Books about India – Read books about India to get ready for your adventure. Here are a few of our favorites.
• Drink only purified water– Water sanitation is an issue in India. Even if you get water from a nice restaurant, ask for bottled water. You just can’t trust what comes out of the tap, especially for little tummies. Avoid ice as well for this reason.
• Give yourself time for jet lag – With little ones adjusting to a new time zone can be hard at times.
• Plan for sickness – When planning your travel schedule, keep in mind that you or your child may also be dealing with Delhi Belly. No matter how careful you are, travel tummy bugs can happen, even at Disney. Keep in mind, that you may even get a cold or cough from the air pollution.

Here are a few more travel tips if you’re planning to travel to India with Kids.

Explore now our 30+ Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Activities About India for Kids

Here are a few activities to explore with your child to learn more about India. From books to crafts to even kid-friendly Indian recipes, we have many options available for you.

Things to Do in New Delhi with Kids

On our next trip, we plan to leave the crazy busy city of New Delhi and venture out into the vast space of India as one of the top 10 largest countries in the world.

On my India Travel bucket list are Jaipur, Shimla, Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Mumbai, and a few others. We hope to take advantage of the Indian railway system and short flights to tour the beautiful terrain of India.

Do you have a favorite location in India to visit on your vacation? Share with me in the comments below…

Which Indian recipe will you make first?

How to Cook Indian Food with Kids

Cooking is a great way to bond with your kids and teach them valuable life skills. It can also be a fun and educational experience, especially when you’re cooking Indian food.

My husband’s family is Punjabi from New Delhi located in Northern India and over the past 20+ years, I’ve spent many hours and had so much fun learning to cook Indian dishes with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. The variety of recipes and types of spices incorporated into the recipes made in Indian homes throughout the world are delicious.

It’s been fun watching these Indian kitchen skills passed on to our three children, my nieces and nephew. With generation-to-generation learning, one thing I observed is that many talented Indian home chefs don’t always use measurements, it’s also been a learning curve to get things just right in taste.

Benefits of Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Cooking with your kids has many benefits, including:

• Encourages healthy eating. Indian food is typically made with fresh, healthy ingredients, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By cooking Indian food with your kids, you can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
• Teaches kids about other cultures. Indian food is a great way to teach kids about other cultures. When you cook Indian food with your kids, you can talk about the history of India, its people, and its cuisine.
• Helps kids develop math and science skills. Cooking involves measuring ingredients, following instructions, and understanding how different ingredients interact with each other.
• Enhances family bonding. Cooking together is a great way to spend time with your kids and bond as a family. It’s a fun and relaxed activity that everyone can enjoy.

Here is our collection of 70+ Fun and Easy Recipes for Kids to Make

Tips for Cooking Indian Recipes with Kids

Here are a few tips for cooking Indian food with kids:

• Choose simple recipes. When you’re cooking with kids, it’s best to choose simple recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients or steps. This will help keep the kids engaged and prevent them from getting frustrated.
• Prepare the ingredients ahead of time. This will help make the cooking process easier and more efficient.
• Let the kids help with the cooking. Kids love to help in the kitchen, so give them a chance to do so. Let them measure the ingredients, stir the pot, and taste the food.
• Take advantage of an instant pot. Many savory Indian dishes can be easily made more safely in an instant pot.
• Make it fun! Cooking Indian food should be a fun experience. Play some Indian music, dance around the kitchen, and enjoy each other’s company.

Kitchen Tools Recommended

Here are a few kitchen tools that I have found to make it easier to cook Indian recipes with my kids. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Onion chopper
• Garlic Mincer
• Bamboo Wooden Spoon Set
• Instant Pot
• Bamboo Wooden Cutting Board
• Morter and Pestle Set
• Kids Knife Set
• Skillet with Lid
• Glass Blender with Small To Go Option
• Cast Iron Round Griddle
• Chakla Belan and Polpat Belan
• Masala Spice Box for Kitchen

Once you’ve cooked your meal it can be fun to serve on a Thali Plate.

Easy Kid-Friendly Indian Recipes to Try

Here are a few easy and kid-friendly Indian recipes that you can try with your kids:

• Chicken Tikka Masala. This is a classic Indian dish that is sure to please kids. It is made with chicken that is marinated in a yogurt and spice mixture, then grilled or roasted.
• Dal Makhani. This is a hearty and comforting lentil dish that is pretty quick to make. It is made with black lentils that are simmered in a tomato and cream sauce.
• Aloo Gobi. This is a simple and flavorful dish made with potatoes and cauliflower. It is typically served with rice or flatbread.
• Naan. This is a soft and fluffy flatbread that is perfect for using to eat these delicious dishes.

One thing I’ve observed over the years is that there’s a difference between the foods you can get at your local Indian Restaurant or Buffet compared to what an average Indian family cooks for lunch or dinner. I wanted to share with you our family’s favorite Indian dishes that we eat every week.

In this guide, I’ve linked each recipe to the recipe and a how-to video. Something I wish I could have had access to 20+ years ago when I started learning how to make Indian recipes. This is truthfully for my children to use as they learn to make each of our family’s favorite Indian dishes. I hope you enjoy making them for your family with your children.

There are many ways to get the kids involved in these tasty recipes. Plus so many of them are made using whole foods like lentils and beans.

Disclosure: Please use all caution when cooking with your child. You know your child and their skills best to avoid accidents with heat or sharp objects. Many tasks are still adult-only tasks, use your discretion.

Vegetarian Indian Recipes for Kids

There’s a huge variety of vegetarian options for making Indian recipes with your child.

• Rajma Chawal (Kidney Beans with Rice) watch video
• Dal Makhani (Black Lentils with Rice) watch video
• Chole Chawal (Garbanzo Beans with Rice) watch video
• Chana Masala Bhatura (Garbanzo Beans with Fried Round Flat Bread) watch video
• Baingan Bharta (Eggplant) watch video
• Bhindi Masala (Okra) watch video
• Paneer Butter Masala (Paneer with Creamy Tomato Sauce) watch video
• Palak Paneer (Spinach with Paneer) watch video
• Kadhi Pakora (Onion Fritters in a spiced yogurt sauce) watch video
• Indian Sprout Salad (Sprouted Lentils and Garbonzo Beans) watch video
  – How to Sprout Lentils watch video
  – Benefits for Sprouts
• Vegan Rice Pilaf aka Pulao (every home makes it differently) watch video
  – Holy Cow Vegan
  – Delicious Magazine
  – Dassana Veg Recipes
  – BBC
• Boondi Raita (spiced yogurt side dish) watch video

The best part is that most of these start the same way with the base as you create these aromatic curries. This method creates that explosion of flavors we seek in Northern Indian food.

Children can measure the spices. Measuring out the beans, lentils, rice, or water can be a helpful task too. To make the base for many of these your child can help with using the Onion chopper or Garlic Mincer.

Sometimes you use a glass blender to blend curries, which kids love to push buttons.

We use our Instant Pot with many of our dishes which also helps with younger children and keeping them safe from hot pans.

Non-Vegetarian Indian Dishes to Make

Many kids are drawn to these traditional Indian chicken dishes. Mixing the marinade and blending the sauces are tasks the kids will enjoy.

• Butter Chicken (chicken in creamy sauce) watch video
• Tandoori Chicken (marinated chicken legs and thighs grilled) watch video
• Chicken Curry (chicken with curry) watch video
• Chicken Seekh Kebab (minced chicken on a skewer) watch video
• Biryani Chicken (One pot yogurt dark chicken with rice) watch video

Indian Flatbreads

Many Indian dishes are served with a flatbread. Traditional you would eat the food with this instead of a utensil. Kids love this feature!

• Naan (leavened, teardrop-shaped flatbread) watch video
• Chapati or Roti (whole wheat unleavened flatbread) watch video
• Paratha (stuffed Indian unleavened flatbread) watch video

Naan is a leavened bread (meaning it uses yeast), while roti is an unleavened bread (meaning it doesn’t). The different ingredients give a far different texture: naan is soft and chewy, while roti is dense and thin.

Indian Appetizers

Appetizers are probably my most favorite part of exploring Indian food! India is famous for it’s street food and these are my top picks for Indian Appetizers to make with your child.

• Samosas (pastry with a savory potato filling) watch video
• Golgappa (deep-fried, breaded ball filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and a spicy mint-cilantro water and sweet chutney) watch video
• Pakoras (fried vegetables in a spiced batter) watch video
• Dahi Papdi Chaat (yogurt, crispy pooris, sev, and chutneys) watch video
• Aloo Tikki Chaat (crispy potato patties topped with yogurt and chutneys) watch video

We love products from Haldiram’s at the local Indian Grocery store for snacks to keep around the house with Chai.

Indian Drinks

• Indian Chai
• Mango Lassi
• Thandai
• Anar lassi

If you’re having appetizers, I’d suggest making Indian Chai for a warm drink. It’s a very common tradition of inviting guests for chai and snacks in India. Traditionally chai is made from black tea mixed with strong spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, black peppercorns, and milk. We use a chai masala from the store. You can watch the video to see how to prepare it.

There are a few other drinks the kids may enjoy. Mango lassi is a huge favorite with kids and adults. (watch video)You can also make Thandai, a traditional Indian drink that is made with milk, nuts, seeds, spices, and saffron. (watch video)

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Indian Spices

To make your cooking easier, here are a few spices we keep on hand from our local Indian grocery store. You can also grab them on Amazon with the link provided.

• Garam Masala
• Turmeric Powder
• Red Chili Powder
• Dal Makhani 
• Chana Masala
• Rajma Masala
• Green Cardamom
• Black Cardamom 
• Cumin Seeds 
• Chat Masala
• Butter Chicken 
• Tandoori Chicken 
• Biryani Masala

Indian Recipes on Pinterest

I’ve shared with you my favorite North Indian Dishes, you may also want to explore these South Indian Dishes too. So many new dishes and spices to discover with your child as you explore the cuisine of all of India.

Here’s more in-depth information about Exploring Indian Culture Through Food.

Want more ideas for inspiration, take a look at the 17 Best Indian Cooking YouTube Channels To Follow.

So next time you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids, try cooking some Indian food. You might be surprised at how much you all enjoy it!

While your food is cooking, take a moment to do this fun India Virtual Field Trip with your child.

This India Virtual Field Trip Contains…

• Virtual Field Trip Journal Page 
• India Flag and Fun Facts Coloring Page
• India Map Coloring Page 
• Map of Asia Coloring Page 
• India Landmarks Fill in the Blank

We can’t wait to see which Indian Recipe you try first with your child!

You may also enjoy these kids’ activities…

It’s been quite a few years now since we’ve visited India. This Diwali season is reminding me of all the festivities that happen especially at the front gate of our family’s home in India.

Here is a typical family’s lifestyle in India at the front gate including a few special events of a lifetime.

The Front Gate in India

Growing up in the United States in a typical suburban neighborhood, I never knew what it would be like to live in a big city and to have a home that needed a front gate. Then, twelve years ago, I married my husband who just happens to be from India.

Since then I’ve had the chance to visit five times to stay with his family in New Delhi, India. Here’s a peek at my latest trip to India.

As I look through my pictures I noticed that, on my first trip to India, my son’s first visit, and my daughter’s first experience, there were lots of pictures of the front gate to our family home. I thought it might be fun to take you on an adventure through the daily life of India from the Front Gate in a typical middle-income home in New Delhi, India.

Welcome

For the first time, you visit a home, many times you will find that there are garlands or marigolds and banana leaves hanging to welcome visitors. You feel so honored to be welcomed in such a manner.

There is also a special sign at the entrance of some homes with blessings and who resides in the home.

Animals Visit

We were so excited to see that many days the cows and other stray animals would roam from gate to gate looking for food treasures of the day. Many homes keep their scrap foods for the animals that pass. It’s a simple way of having no waste and providing a blessing to those around you.

We were very surprised to hear the noises that would come around the neighborhood with the wild monkeys who would pass through You have to be cautious when they are present and generally most residents will go into their homes and shut the doors so that no unwanted visitors will enter.

Vendors Visit

Each morning you awake to the sounds of vendors passing by with the various items that they are selling from their carts. We would go out and buy any fresh produce we wanted for our meals that day or the next day. Here’s a picture of my daughter buying bananas with her Dadi Ji from the vendor.

You begin to recognize the specific calls of each vendor to listen for as they walk down the streets of the community.

Daily Cleaning

We were fortunate enough that there was a local resident who our family pays to come to the gate each day and ring the bell to come and clean the house. She would sweep and mop the floors, even the outdoor area. It’s very dusty in New Delhi, India.

My daughter was fascinated by the brooms that our housekeeper would use. She had fun practicing on her own by the front gate.

Festivals

Diwali is the festival of lights for Hindus.I had the chance to visit India during this occasion and see how absolutely beautiful the streets become as they are all lit by candlelight and lights. Here’s the view from our front porch.

For additional Diwali Activities {click Here}

Gardening

There were so many little gardens inside of each gate as we passed through streets of India. Many are marigold plants that were growing from seeds from the marigolds that had dried from the festivals and temple offerings. You will also at times find a special plant called “The Money Plant” growing too.

Indian Weddings

When there is a marriage in the house the tradition is to hang lights on the front of the house. I know technically it’s not the front gate but it is something you’ll see. It’s absolutely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen as you travel at night.

Here’s a picture of our home covered with bridal lights and one tired little flower girl and my husband.

When a groom leaves their home for a wedding they will usually leave with a baraat. A baraat can become a large procession, with its own band, dancers, and fireworks. The groom and his horse are covered in finery and do not usually take part in the dancing and singing.

As a bride, the front gate also becomes the last place they stop before going to their new home, oftentimes the groom’s parent’s home. I’ve been through the process twice in India and the feelings are overwhelming from the bridal party as blessings are shared. When the car pulls away slowly, the bride’s brothers and cousins will push the car signifying that they have given her a push ahead as she begins her new life with her husband.

Here’s a picture of my sister-in-law as she leaves our home as a new bride.

Safety in India

Unfortunately, the front gate is there to keep families safe. As with any large city you have to be aware of others and protect your family. I think that it was an eye-opener to me the very first time I went to India how much EVERYTHING needed to be locked up.

My daughter was really obsessed with the locks while we were there and had fun pretending to open them.

The Real India Gate

At the center of New Delhi stands the 42 m high “Arc-de-Triomphe” like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan War of 1919.

Here are some Books about India.

Thank you so much for joining me on my reflections on the front gates of India.

The more time I spend with my husband’s family and the more time in India we visit I feel like I grow in knowledge all the time. As I learn every day more and more about India I share them onto our India Pinterest Board. Come follow along !

Follow The Educators’ Spin On It’s board India Culture and Hindi Language on Pinterest.

You may also enjoy these activities about India for kids…

My husband was born in India and I was born in the United States. We were brought up in two very different worlds and are trying out best to help our 3 children experience both worlds as an Interracial family.

Since we live here in the US, we take extra effort to ensure that encourage them to learn about India. On our site, we have shared a few ways to celebrate our cultures. (And honestly, many cultures around the world)

You will find a few kid’s activities focused on India here:

• Books About India
• Food from India
• Rangoli
• Diwali
• Holi
• Diya Crafts
• Indian Sweets
• Raksha Bandhan
• Durga Puja
• Navratri
• New Delhi

We’re excited that this is the start of festival seasons around the world, especially in India. August had a few fun activities for Indians and Hindus that I thought I’d share with you.

• India’s Independence Day on August 15, 2025
• Raksha Bandhan on August 9, 2025
• Krishna Janmashtami on August 16, 2025
• Ganesh Chaturthi on August 26, 2025

Tips for Raising a Multicultural Child

• Talk to your child about their heritage. Help them to understand and appreciate their cultures.
• Expose your child to different cultures. This can be done through travel, food, music, art, and other activities.
• Teach your child about the importance of tolerance and respect. Help them to understand that everyone is different and that’s okay.
• Encourage your child to be proud of their heritage. Help them to feel comfortable talking about their cultures and traditions.
• Celebrate your child’s culture. This can be done through special events, holidays, and other activities.
• Find a multicultural community. This can be a great way for your children to connect with other children from similar backgrounds.
• Be a role model. Show your children that it’s important to be open-minded and accepting of others.
• Be patient. Raising a multicultural child can be challenging, but it’s also very rewarding.

Raising a multicultural child can be a wonderful experience. By following these tips, you can help your child to grow up to be confident, well-rounded individuals who are proud of their heritage.

Explore local Cultural Events in Your Community with Your Child

Sharing a variety of cultures with a child is a true gift you can give to them as a parent.

Research your local resources and find out if there are cultural events for kids.

We were lucky to find a Museum Family Day that featured India this month too. The kids were so excited to make a craft and watch the Indian dancers at the event. We went and experienced the month before an event focused on the Chinese New Year.

We even had fun listening to Punjabi music and dancing at home during those afternoon meltdown times.

In the United States, almost all of us originated from somewhere else, really I’m not from the United States my ancestors immigrated here from Ireland and England (and other countries), where many generations ago my family moved here. My grandfather was into genealogy and was even been able to track one of my great great great grandfathers on the Mayflower!

I encourage you to explore your heritage with your kids and encourage them to become culturally aware.

Here are a few to get started…

• 9 Ways to Explore the World with Kids from your own Home!
• Activities for Kids About the World
• The Best Collection of Diverse Children’s Books
• Explore Schools Around the World as part of the Multicultural Kid Blogs Carnival!
• Exploring Cultures from Around the World with Kids
• One way we enjoy learning about other cultures is with Around the World in 12 Dishes Series.

Where is your family background from? Share with us ways you are teaching your child about it.

You may also enjoy these activity ideas for raising Global Kids…

I’ve found a special Holi book that your child will love for this festival too!

Learning about various traditions in other cultures is one thing I encourage all families to do with their children.  It helps us to grow and appreciate the diversity that exists in the world.  It gives our children knowledge and understanding that we are all different and similar in our own ways. One place special to our hearts is India.

This spring as we anticipate the arrival of spring blossoms and bulbs and warmer weather, there is one tradition that our family from India celebrates which is Holi.  It’s a Hindu celebration of color.

Holi Songs for Kids

Learning about a festival can be so much fun with songs.  I’ve previewed the following Holi songs for kids from youtube to show to your child.  They are each animated and are pretty short.  

The songs are perfect if you want to have a few friends over to learn about Holi and read the book Celebrate Holi With Me!  for a book playdate.

If you have a favorite Holi Song please share with me in the comment section below.  

Hindi Rhymes for Children on Holi festival

Happy Holi I Holi for kids | Jalebi Street

Holi Festival Mystery | Music Video | Mira, Royal Detective

GreenGoldKids – Holi Pichkari Party Special Song

Chhota Bheem – Rangon ki Bauchhaar | Holi Video

Holi Song on Shri Krishna

Happy Holi I Holi for kids | Jalebi Street

Holi Song For Children in Hindi

Holi Ki Masti | Bandar Mama

Rangbirangi Holi Song

Kids Holi Dance Tutorial

These holi songs for kids are featured from youtube and mom and teacher approved!

The Story of Holi for Kids

If you’re wanting a little bit more in terms of learning about Holi and the story behind it here is an animated video that shares the religious side of Holi.

What is Holi Festival? – Hindu Festival of Colour – Behind the News

Disclosure Affiliate links used to Amazon books.  

Holi Books for Kids

Explore this collection of adorable and colorful Holi Books for Kids.

Celebrate Holi With Me!  by Shoumi Sen

One thing I love to discover are songs and books about a festival.  This season I’ve found one special Holi book for kids that I want to tell you about. It’s called Celebrate Holi With Me!  

The author Shoumi Sen sent me a copy to read and share with you.  I recently shared a post about her other book Celebrate Durga Puja With Me.

Celebrate Holi with Me Book Review

The story Celebrate Holi With Me! is written through the eyes of the main character Riya who takes you on a colorful journey of how her family and friends celebrate holi.  It provides both kids and adults the abilities to learn about the traditions in India of now to celebrate Holi.  

The fact that it’s written in rhyme makes it that much more fun to read with your child.  

The pages are colorful and tell the many layers of ways families celebrate the special day of Holi.

Plus the story Celebrate Holi With Me!  includes the background of the story of Holi while learning the story of Prahlad and why we celebrate Holi.

For those just learning about this festival, it provides clarity through a story.  Did you know that the holiday signifies good over evil?

Celebrate Holi With Me!  by Shoumi Sen

To learn more about Holi you can visit the Multicultural Kids Blog where several moms have shared their Holi traditions with crafts and activities to celebrate the fun.

Want to learn more about India?  Check out my post about our visits to India and what you might see happening at our front Gate in India. 

Plus you can take a peek at our Indian Samosa Recipe with Mint Chutney to cook with your child.  Snacks are a big part of the celebration of Holi Too.

Supplies for celebrating Holi

Here’s a few suggestions if you’re planning to celebrate your own Holi with kids. Grab some colored powers and water guns on Amazon. I’ve linked them up for you to buy online and have shipped to you easily.

Don’t forget to GRAB a copy of Celebrate Holi With Me!  by Shoumi Sen on Amazon to add to your bookcase.

Holi Activities for kids

Here’s a peek at how our family celebrates Holi 

You can extend these Holi songs by

• making a Rangoli
• make a Holi T-shirt
• cook Samosas
• sing Holi songs
• read more Holi Books for Kids

Want to learn more about India? Here’s a peek from our view at our front gate in India.

In recent years there have been so many more diverse children’s books published. One of the topics that have grown in options is these colorful Holi books for kids.

Holi Books for Kids

One of my favorite holidays to celebrate with my family is Holi. A playful day full of colorful fun as we welcome spring. Here are some adorable Holi books to go along with this Hindu Festival of Color.

What is Holi

Holi marks the beginning of spring after a long winter, symbolic of the triumph of good over evil.

Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the “Festival of Colours” and the “Festival of Spring”.

Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month marking the spring, making the date vary with the lunar cycle.

Here’s a colorful collection of children’s books about Holi!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Let’s Celebrate Holi! by Ajanta Chakraborty

Festival of Colors by Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal

Celebrate Holi With Me! by Shoumi Sen

Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors by Chitra Soundar

My Holi: Colors of Cheer by Priya Kumari

Simba’s First Holi: A Holiday Book for Kids by H R

We Throw Color on Each Other! by Kavita G. Sahai

Amma Tell Me About Holi! by Bhakti Mathur

Why do we celebrate HOLI by Anitha Rathod

Holi Colors by Rina Singh

Dev and Ollie: Colour Carnival by Mrs Shweta Aggarwal

Rani Celebrates Holi by Anita Badhwar

Holi (Festivals Around the World) by Grace Jones

Holi (Celebrations in My World (Library) by Lynn Peppas

Crayola ® Holi Colors by Robin Nelson

Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar

Holi by Rebecca Pettiford

Holi Activities for Kids

You can use these Song for Holi for Kids to go along with these colorful children’s books about Holi!

You can extend these Holi books by

• making a Rangoli
• make a Holi T-shirt
• cook Samosas
• sing Holi songs

Want to learn more about India? Here’s a peek from our view at our front gate in India.

Explore more Hindu Books for Kids

• Diwali Books for Kids
• Navratri Books for Kids
• Rakhi Books for Kids
• Durga Puja Book
• Books About India for Kids

Here are some of our favorite ways to decorate when we celebrate with friends as we celebrate Holi.

Looking for Holi Activities? Try these…

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

DIY Holi T-Shirt for Kids

We prepared for our Holi Color Fun this year by making our own Holi T-shirts. This way we can continue to wear them and remind us of all of our Colorful Fun for Holi.

It was literally made in just a few minutes but turned out to be a big hit with both of my girls and also our friends that came to join the fun.

We invited some friends for their very first Holi experience so we wanted to make it memorable.

We took a plain T-shirts and plain onsies for the babies and fabric paint. 

Then we found foam letters around the house to dip into the paint.  The best size for us were the foam letter we already had for other craft projects. My daughter dipped her letters in the paint and then placed them onto her shirt.

Once we started the color and water fun she was ready to have fun and get messy!

We got MESSY and had so much FUN! Even my 1 year old got into the FUN!

Holi is a holiday that surpasses our differences and focuses on the oneness of our humanity
~ Generation Ginger

We used Washable Finger Paints for the little ones to help with cleanup.

And made a special bucket for them to play with on water toys and water balloons.

(Use Caution Balloons are a choking hazards for small children, adult supervision at all times)

This is what you wear traditionally in India a White Solid Kurta Pyjama 

HOLI ~ The FESTIVAL OF COLORS

Background Info about Holi

Around the world, Hindus are celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors. Holi is a popular springtime celebration observed on the last full moon of the lunar month.

Participants traditionally throw bright, vibrant powders at friends and strangers alike, celebrating the arrival of Spring, commemorating Krishna’s pranks, and allowing everyone a momentary freedom — a chance to drop their inhibitions and simply play and dance.

Celebrating Festivals from other countries is always a great way to connect to that culture and learn about new things!

Here’s our favorite Holi songs on youtube!

You know since we’re always putting the Educators’ Spin On It. I had to have an Activity to go with it!

So here it is, Make your Holi Color Book!

Make your Own Family Holi Book of Colors

1. Create a simple Color Book to remind us of all of our Colorful Fun!
2. Draw members of our family, one on each page. Then write a color word on each page.
3. Using a paint brush and water colors, splatter painted each page according to the color.

We’ve been working on Family Names and Color Words in Hindi so it was the perfect time to use both in our book!

Holi Books for Kids

Here are some books about Holi.

Celebrate Holi With Me! (From The Toddler Diaries)

Amma, Tell Me about Holi by Bhakti Mathur

Festival of Colors by Vashti Harrison

Holi Colors by Rina Singh

Want more Holi books for Kids? Explore these colorful children’s books about Holi!

What is Holi?

• Background of Holi & Activities from Putti Prapancha
• Videos of Holi collected by Gnaana
• Song about Holi

Festival Colors Holi High Quality Colors, 50 Gram Packets (Pack of 10)

Activities for Holi for Kids

• Bubble Paint Virtual Holi at Putti Prapancha
• Body Tracing and Paint Splatter from Putti Prapancha
• Rainy Day Chalk at Golden Gleam
• Make your own HOLI letters by Gnaana

Our Holi Friends!

Happy Holi from our Family to yours!