Have you ever seen the decorative floor art called rangoli? Rangoli art from India, is a folk art used during Hindu festivals to bring good luck and welcome the Hindu deities. The artwork is both a religious and cultural symbol, and is found in all homes regardless of income. The details in rangoli decorations can include lotus flowers, mango leaves, geometric shapes, or other elaborate designs made of rice flour, colored sand, or even flower petals. Read more about rangoli art from India here, check out these beautiful google images, and then finally try out this stunning, colorful project with your kids. It’s a beautiful, hands-on, collaborative art project that engages kids and teaches about other cultures!
Rangoli Art from India for Kids!
Rangoli art from India is typically displayed at the entrance of a home, but sometimes schools and groups get together to create this unique artwork. On a recent visit to our local public library, the wonderful librarians helped children create a one-of-a-kind rangoli decoration. First, they drew a symmetrical pattern with white chalk on the ground outside. Then, they had the kids use colored sand to fill it in. Each child was given a small cup of colored sand, and instructed where to sprinkle it.
As the children being to fill in the sections with sand, the librarian was able to guide the children to add more sand, and easily could brush away spilled colors without compromising the design. Children as young as 4 were participating, though everyone wanted to stop by to watch the design unfold.
Let’s Celebrate Diwali Printables!
We have designed a range of beautiful, fun, Common Core aligned Diwali activities that can be found at the Kid World Citizen Teachers Pay Teachers Store! This packet contains everything you need to introduce and celebrate Diwali a classroom or home setting.
Go now >
Beautiful artwork!
~mari
Thank you- the colors are so pretty!!
So beautiful – what a cool project for your library. I love that such a wide age span could participate.
Thanks Jody! Everyone walking in stopped to see what was going on- I think it really attracts a wide audience of observers and admirers, as well as the kids participating:).
It’s so pretty, and it looks like the kids really enjoyed it!
It was hard to get them to leave for a bit to enjoy the other activities!!! I highly recommend this cooperative project.
GOrgeous!
We’re actually in India right now adopting our son – so glad to see the celebrations back home, too! Happy Diwali.
Oh wow, congratulations! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip!!! Do you have an adoption blog?? I am so happy for you!!!!
Thanks for the lovely pics and for bringing your kids over, Becky! It was awesome to see the kids get into all the activities. I’d love to cook up some more activities like this – we should talk!
It was such a wonderful activity- we are so lucky to have our amazing library system:). I’d love to do more activities like this!
GORGEOUS!
Thank you!!! We love how it turned out- and the kids all the work on filling in the design with the sand:).
This is so cool Becky! Amazing that your library promotes multicultural events. I was wondering when you guys were in India! 🙂