Holi Safety Tips for Your Kids

Holi is the only festival where everyone indulges wholeheartedly in spraying colours and water at each other, no matter which part of the country they belong to. But while doing so, we tend to use colours that are laced with chemicals and can cause skin allergies, rashes, or hair damage. All these can be very damaging to the adult skin and hair, leave alone that of a child, whose skin is all the more delicate. However, in the midst of all this, you should also ensure that the spirit of Holi does not get dampened and that the kids have a blast while you enjoy yourselves with the grownups. So, it’s upon the parents to ensure precautions are taken ahead of time. Read on to find some tips and precautions to play it safe this Holi.

Tips to Celebrate a Safe Holi With Your Kids

Ensure a vibrant and secure Holi celebration for your little ones with these essential tips, focusing on protective measures, eco-friendly choices.

1. Keep a Watch on Your Kid

Make sure that you or an adult is always present near your kid while he is playing with the colours or water, especially when a large drum or tub is used to supply water. The kid can accidentally fall into the tub or drum while bending down to draw water in his pichkari. So, always stay close to your kid. This will help in preventing accidents that otherwise may prevail.

2. Use Eco-Friendly Colours

Try opting for natural colours. You may make herbal and skin-friendly colours at home by using turmeric, sandalwood, henna, etc. Avoid using toxic colours which contain harmful chemicals that may cause skin allergies or rashes in kids. These eco-friendly colours are easy to wash off and cause no damage to the skin. In addition, your motive of celebrating Holi in an eco-friendly way will also be accomplished. 

3. Use Pichkaris Safely

Advise your kid to use the pichkaris in a manner that will not cause any harm to others. Ask him to avoid spraying water on the face, in the eyes or ears of other kids.

4. Avoid Water Balloons

Water balloons are fun to play with, but they can hurt the person whom the balloon is being thrown at. The impact with which it falls on them may have adverse effects on the skin, eyes or ears.

5. Colours Should Be Kept Away from the Mouth

Make sure that you teach your children to not put colours in their mouth. These colours contain harmful chemicals, which if consumed, may cause severe reactions like vomiting and can even lead to poisoning.

6. Dressing in Appropriate Clothes

Make sure your kid wears a dress that completely covers the exposed skin. Full-sleeved clothing work great for both boys and girls. This is mainly to avoid the contact of colours directly with the skin.

7. Give Respect and Take Respect

Train your kid to respect other’s independence on the day of Holi. Ask your kid not be rude to neighbours, or colleagues and to not allow them to be rude either. Any aggressiveness should be curbed. Teach them that if someone is unwilling to join, forcing should never be resorted to. In addition, do not allow your kids to use eggs or mud to play Holi. Unclean behaviour should never be accepted.

8. Keep Emergency Numbers Handy

Keep a list of emergency contacts with you. The list should include the contacts of your kid’s doctor, ambulance, nearby hospitals, etc. If the kid is playing Holi with a bunch of his friends, be sure you have his friends’ parents’ contact numbers, too.

9. Choose a Safe Location

Select a safe and controlled environment for Holi celebrations. If possible, join community or neighborhood events that follow safety guidelines.

10. Monitor Allergies

Be aware of any allergies your kids may have to certain colors or substances used during Holi.

Skin and Hair Care Tips for Holi

Follow these steps to protect your child’s skin and hair from the harmful effects of colours while playing Holi.

1. Skin

Apply oil or cream all over our child’s body, before he goes out to play Holi. You may use coconut or olive oil to moisturise the skin. If required, you may apply sunscreen lotion to keep his skin moisturised to protect it from the sun rays, too. These skin care tips for Holi are to make sure that the skin and hair remain protected from the harmful effects of the chemical-based colours.

2. Hair

Oil your kid’s hair thoroughly the night before Holi. Repeat this in the morning as well. Kids with long hair, especially girls, should tie their hair before playing Holi. You may also tie a scarf on their head as a means of protection.

Safety Tips For Kids With Allergies while Playing Holi 

Kids with allergies need extra care while enjoying Holi to prevent any adverse reactions. Using organic and natural colors made from ingredients like turmeric, beetroot, or flowers is a safer option, as synthetic colors may contain harmful chemicals that trigger allergies. Before applying any color, it’s best to do a patch test on a small area of the skin to check for any irritation or reaction. Kids with respiratory allergies should avoid dry powder colors that can be inhaled easily and opt for flower petals or water-based colors instead. Keeping antiallergic medication, inhalers (for asthma), or doctor-prescribed medicines handy is always a good precaution in case of unexpected reactions.

Holi, the festival of colour, is for bonding and celebrating. It sure is fun-filled, but also invites sudden accidents. Keep the tips given above in mind and prepare your kid before you send him out to celebrate the festival. Ensuring that your kid is safe and sound would give you peace of mind so that you too will be able to enjoy the festival wholeheartedly.

Also Read:

Holi Party Ideas for Kids
Holi Recipes for Children
Holi Craft Ideas for Children
Facts and Information about Holi for Kids

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.