Why do we play Holi like we do? Why is Holi celebrated with colours? What’s the significance? Why March? Is your little one or not-so-little one curious but not sure why to play Holi? Even if it’s just dry colours which are 100% organic? Well, chances are that your child is scared. So, how do we play safe Holi and why play Holi in the first place?
‘Why Holi‘, a book written by Priyanka and illustrated by Creative I” explains why we all love to play Holi, especially children who get a free hand on that one day in a year to play with lost of colours and water.
Kids have questions and they are bound to be inquisitive. It’s important for us to create awareness and educate them. To have answers to their whats, whys and hows. This colorful festival is historical. Holilka, King Hiranyakashyap, Prhalad- our grandparents knew a lovely folk tale around these mythological figures. They told our parents the significance, relevance and the moral attached to this festive celebration.
There are many stories linked to the festival of Holi and Holika Dahan. These stories may be mythological, religious or social, but all have some or the other hidden life lesson. One take-away is the victory of good over evil. And that light always wins over darkness.
This is also a good time to teach them how to play safe Holi and ensure that they indeed play a safe Holi.
10 Ways to Ensure We Play Safe Holi With Kids:
1. Discourage them to Play Holi with Eggs, and Mud
Explain to them that this is not only unhealthy but harmful as well. A good way to avoid this would be by keeping clean water handy so that they don’t resort to using dirty water.
2. Don’t Use Industrial Dyes and Mettalic Colours
Industrial dyes used as Holi colours are cheaper and often gaudier. They are harmful. The metallic pastes which impart the glistening silver or black or white are horribly toxic. As per Satavik, here’s what specific colours can do to our health:
| Colour | Chemical | Health Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Lead oxide | Renal Failure |
| Green | Copper Sulphate | Eye Allergy, Puffiness and Temporary blindness |
| Silver | Aluminium Bromide | Carcinogenic |
| Blue | Prussian Blue | Contract Dermatitis |
| Red | Mercury Sulphite | Highly toxic can cause skin cancer |
3. Use only Gulaal or Organic Colours or Flower Petals
Child friendly, eco-friendly, non-toxic and gel based colors are available aplenty. Why not use those?
4. Keep the Colors Away from the Mouth and Eyes
It is essential that you do not let your kids put any colours in their mouth. Synthetic colors, powder or gel-based alike, contain a number of harmful chemicals, when ingested they could cause severe reactions such as vomiting and could also lead to poisoning.
5. Eyes are Particularly Vulnerable
If the colors enter your child’s eye, wash them with plenty of water. Remember not to rub the eye. If your child experiences any vision-related issues, pain or excessive redness of the eyes, immediately take him/her to your doctor.
6. Clothes are like Sheilds
Make your child wear full-sleeved clothes and long cotton pants to protect their sensitive skin.
7. Slather Skin-protecting Creams
Another way of protecting their skin would be preparing them well for it by applying oil or cream all over the body to prevent the colors from sticking to the skin. Oil the child’s hair well before he/she goes to play with colors. This will help protect the skin and hair from the harmful effects of the colors.
8. Be Careful when Playing with Pichkaris
The pichaakris which we think of as harmless toys can be dangerous too. So, teach your child to use his/ her pichkaari away from other people’s faces, especially their eyes and ears. Also, ask your child to maintain a safe distance from other children’s pichkaaris when he/she is being attacked with the water.
9. No Water Balloons, Please?
Say no to bursting balloons or throwing them on each other. This can cause injuries and accidents. The thurst applied to burst balloons is not to be taken lightly.
10. Say No to Strangers
Encourage your children to play Holi only with a group of close friends and relatives as against strangers. In fact even you should do the same to make sure you as well as your kids are safe. People can get carried in the Holi intoxication (thanks to the bhaang).
“Safety first” should always be our motto. Happy Holi!
Image source: 06 (Featured image)
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