Painting- Painting, and coloring are excellent ways to enhance your child’s motor skills. Playing with contrast and vibrant colors can help children get familiar with different shades and help build their creative thinking faculties that are essential for brain development. Companies like Dabble Play art are making painting and coloring a perfect worry-free activity for kids as well as parents,  with their range of ergonomic, non-toxic crayons and paints that help your child unleash their inner artist and also develop some essential motor skills while they are at it! 

Water Play- Kid’s sensory activities do not need to be that complicated by purchasing expensive toys and activity sets. They can be completely free and easy to arrange like water play. Sensory activities should have the ability to introduce different modalities and sensory textures, and playing with water with a cup or simply with their hands is a great sensory exercise for them! 

Gardening- If you have toddlers or children nearing the age of 3, then introduce gardening to them! Gardening is a great way in which kids get to hold and play with so many different textures, and interact with nature which is truly the best sensory playground for any age! Getting to know different colors, and touching and feeling the leaves and petals is a great motor skill exercise for your children! 

Playdough- This is truly a tried and tested method! Playdough has been a favorite of so many households over the years as a child’s first sensory play activity! The ability to mold, create, and learn new shapes out of their own creation is a great way to introduce sensory activities for your kids. Creating and molding with their fingers improves their hand-eye coordination and sets the ball rolling for their sensory development! 

Textured Toys- Make playtime effective by choosing the right toys for your kids! Kids improve their motor skill development by learning to squeeze, hold, and feel new textures and patterns- so do try to get as many textured toys for their playtime. If you do not have the time to browse for new toys, you can create an effective sensory play at home too! Just get different fabrics and wooden objects that are baby-safe and let your child free! Often, children learn new skills when they are left to learn about the world on their own. 

The post Build Those Skills: Activities That Helps Toddlers With Skill Development appeared first on Windmill Festival.

Understanding why they are doing these activities can help them immerse themselves completely into the activity, piquing genuine interest in that area for hours on end, giving the parent much-needed free time and the satisfaction of making summer holidays productive! These activities are designed to be at home because cities in India are currently facing a heavy downpours making outdoor projects extremely tiresome and cumbersome for young kids. So instead of stepping out in the rain, here are some at-home extra-curricular activities for your kids- 

Learn How To Code– For that budding computer nerd who is constantly streaming their favorite tech creators, gift them the ultimate skill by enrolling them in a coding class. Companies like White Hat Jr are offering personalized courses for your little one to start coding- their way!

Start a Book Club– For children whose eyes are glued to their laptops, TVs, and phones, this might be a much-needed push for children to start admiring the age-old hobby of reading books. A book club might be a sustainable way for your children to not only read the books that are given but understand them, form their independent opinions, and discuss them openly with their peers. Plus the idea of a book club can keep them accountable and encourage them to complete the book if they are to contribute to the discussion during the book club meetings. 

Learn an Instrument– Learning an instrument is important for your child’s brain development as it involves the hands, the brains, and almost all the sense organs making it an effective activity for your child to learn by doing. When your child accomplishes a certain level and learns how to play a tune, it can have vast effects on their self-esteem and help them be satisfied with attaining a new skill, right from the comfort of their home. 

Sustainable Crafts– Have too many old things and waste piling up in your garage and attic? Is your own plan to dispose of them? Then put your child to the task. Recycling and upcycling are two important concepts that your children should understand. Sorting through old toys and objects to decide which should be recycled for their parts and those that can be upcycled seems like a mammoth task but puts your child’s creativity to the test. If they have outgrown their clothes, ask them what else can they do with an old fabric other than simply dispose of them. Maybe make an upcycled headband, use the fabric to make attractive cup warmers, coasters, and much more? Encourage them to find creative uses for old objects and apply their creativity to actually make upcycled crafts from them! 

Teach One– Do you have domestic help at home? It is time to repay their unwavering service to you! Education is empowering, and everyone is eager for knowledge and to learn new information. Encourage your child to give back to society by starting right at home! Nudge them to teach some basics of maths and science to their lesser privileged friends for the summer right at home. Not only does this help someone else, but it also gives your child a sense of fulfillment of having done something that goes beyond self-serving notions. 

Hope you liked these suggestions on extra-curricular activities Have some ideas we didn’t add? Comment below and join the Windmill Community!

The post 5 At-Home Extra-Curricular Activities For Children Post-School appeared first on Windmill Festival.

Shillong, Meghalaya- Known as the Scotland of the East, this popular North-East Indian gem is renowned for all the right reasons. With one of the wettest places in the world located here, explore the true beauty of monsoons amongst misty clouds, majestic waterfalls, and wonderful weather. 

What We Love- Shillong just comes alive during the monsoons! If your family wants a clam, cozy, relaxing mini-vacation this monsoon season midst of the lush greenery, then this is it! With quaint and cozy hotels and lodges dotted all over this famous hilly town, you will be spoiled with family-friendly lodging options. A plus point- the world’s wettest town- Mayswynram is a drive away! Plus the famous waterfalls like Elephant Falls and Spread Eagle Falls are just unmissable. 

Hotel Reccos for the Fam- 

Goa- You might think July is off-season and not the right time to visit this happening place, but hear us out! Goa during July is less crowded and makes it a perfect time for families to visit this popular tourist destination. It is also safe for your young ones to travel to Goa, because the marine side safety is more vigilant and strict during the monsoon time, making it difficult for anyone to venture close to the sea. 

What We Love- More time to gorge on local delicacies, find quaint Goan pubs and explore child-friendly activities without having the stress of arranging a messy beach day. You can take the family on heritage tours, trekking, and just enjoy the picturesque landscape of Goa as it comes alive during the monsoon season. 

Hotel Reccos for the Fam- 

Coorg- One of the famous hill stations of Karnataka, Coorg is just the picturesque monsoon getaway you need! A perfect road trip for folks in Bangalore, Coorg is an excellent idea for families wanting a quick weekend escapade from the city! 

What We Love- The gorgeous verdant scenery of thriving flora and fauna in the dense forests of Coorg, the sumptuous local cuisine, the historic coffee plantations, the enchanting hilly views, and the gorgeous weather, we could go on. Trekking, birdwatching, horseriding, and coffee plantation visits are some of the activities you can indulge in as a family in Coorg, while you enjoy the misty cool weather of this scenic locale. 

Hotel Reccos for the Fam

Munnar- Another hilly gem of Southern India, this time in Kerala, Munnar is a must-visit monsoon getaway for families! Stay in the highest tea plantation in the world, or simply enjoy the picturesque views of the clouds meeting the hills! A perfect destination for your family to simply reset and relax, Munnar is an inviting and popular monsoon getaway choice! 

What We Love- Local South Indian cuisine, herds of majestic elephants paving their way, lesser crowds, scenic trekking trails, vast tea gardens, historic tea factories, and heritage sites- the list just keeps getting longer! Plus a perfect and scenic drive from Cochin makes for an exciting road trip with the fam! 

Hotel Reccos For the Fam- 

Mahabaleshwar- Monsoon in the Western Ghats- a sight to behold! For anyone stuck in urban Maharashtra stuck in the rainy traffic of busy cities and everyday work-life, NEEDS this getaway. A perfect weekend reset for the entire family- enjoy the luscious strawberry fields of Mahabaleshwar, and enjoy a monsoon romance with your partner as your kids are busy running around the lush greenery of Mahabaleshwar. 

What We Love- The majestic beauty of the Sahyadri range, the beautiful Lingamala waterfalls, the scenic Elephant’s Head Point, and the historic tourist town of Pratapgad make it a perfect weekend getaway for the family. If you want to enjoy the actual, unhindered beauty of the Western Ghat monsoons, then Mahabaleshwar is the place for you and your family! 

Hotel Reccos for the Fam-

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The Spa Night Party- Self-care is slowly becoming a part of everyone’s lives due to important conversations surrounding this topic rapidly gaining traction. Encourage your teens to adopt this in their daily lives, by planning a sleepover around this theme. Make this self-care night about plain indulgence: get your nails done, organize a nail art station for a sleepover, try out fun nail art designs, the works! Get a D-I-Y nail art kit, so your teen and their friends can make a fun activity out of it by doing nail art designs on each other, or a spa night, where you can get face masks and robes so your teens can treat themselves with some well-deserved skincare. Take it up a notch, by getting your teen and their friends matching robes and eye masks, for that perfect #InstaSleepover selfie. 

The Movie Night Sleepover- There is almost nothing better than a cozy blanket, good company, a warm bowl of fresh popcorn, and a good movie. Your teens will love a great movie night in with their friends. Screen your teen’s favorite movie and take it up a notch by making a blanket fort in the living room or in their room. If you have a projector or rent a projector, you can give your teen a theatre-watching experience. Make sure you have a good speaker and dimmed lights so they can get the best viewing experience. Even better, get movie-night-themed decor- you can get popcorn bags or a custom movie night guide. You can also make the party movie-themed before you actually watch it, say if you are watching a superhero film, you can actually make the character’s favorite food, or host a movie trivia before you watch the movie, so everyone’s up to speed! 

The Perfect Game Night- Teens can be quite ardent fans of their favorite sport-stars or teams, and want to show team spirit during important matches or seasons. Host a game night with your teen’s friends on the day of an important match. You can easily get themed decorations for your teen’s favorite sports team.  Get bite-sized snacks that can last through the night, we recommend finger food for a  particularly nail-biting match! For food, make things interesting by ordering in or making food that matches the team’s home city cuisine.  Say, your teen’s a big fan of the English Football team, you can get fish and chips as dinner, which also doubles up as great finger food for teens as well. Show the team spirits by getting your teens jerseys of their favorite team player to show their support for the team! 

The Escape Room Sleepover- Escape Rooms are becoming quite the trend with teens these days. The concept of an escape room is that teens will get locked in a room, and to find a key they have to solve a few riddles to find the key to open the room. It is quite an exhilarating activity for teens to try.  You can also make themes out of it like you can make the clues surrounding fantasy or their favorite comic books, or, for your math geeks, you can probably get some math problems off the internet and use that to make clues. For decor, you can get streamers or banners embossed in the theme colors or logo. Choose particular trivia questions or facts as hints to get the key. This activity is sure to keep them engaged and pumped throughout the evening, just make sure you stock up on snacks and drinks as fuel for your teens hard at work! 

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It is a delicate topic when discussing with children as one must tread the balance between seriousness and simplicity to make sure the child is understanding everything being told to them in a positive way. Instead of limiting ourselves to just making sure that the child understands the daily differences, make your child be more proactive in their own ways to help their immediate community holds much more meaning. Get your child involved and on the ground to be more proactive this monsoon season. Here’s how- 

• Distribution of protective monsoon gear in the neighborhood. Get your child and their friends to distribute protective monsoon gear in the nearby community, especially the younger kids from lesser fortunate backgrounds. Take your kids shopping for them and tell them to get exactly what they think kids their age would like for their raincoats and umbrellas. This gets them to relate and empathize with the kids and makes them understand and care for others’ safety and protection. 

• Monsoon safety education drives are also a great idea for kids to be more proactive this monsoon season. Instead of just limiting themselves to getting the neighborhood protective gear, involve them in creating an educational program with their friends to make sure to educate their surroundings about the dangers of the monsoon seasons and the precautions one must take. This will be a fun activity for your kids and their friends as they are given full creative freedom to come up with a program all on their own and do something meaningful with activities. 

• Due to the monsoon seasons, many schools shut down and classes get delayed, especially when it comes to municipal and government schools. If you have some students of such schools in your neighborhood who are at a grade lower than your child’s, get your child to tutor them and lend some of their old books and notebooks! Not only will your child feel empowered and actioning their intentions into real efforts, but also help students of a lesser fortunate background to be up and current with their studies, making sure they are not losing precious study time to the monsoons! 

The key to being proactive this monsoon season is a subjective one. What matters is that you empower your child to make real change and be sensitive to others’ needs this season. Helping others and seeing a wider perspective helps your child’s personality develop, and they become much more sensitive and aware of the ground reality. Not to mention, that you are also making a change in your community! 

The post Here’s How You Can Get Your Child To Be More Proactive This Monsoon Season appeared first on Windmill Festival.

The first step is to educate your child about the festivities. This does not mean a heavy religious discussion but in a narrative story format. You can use a lot of online resources for the same- using Youtube videos, online kid-friendly articles, or even use a plethora of children’s story books and movies for the same. This sets up a positive and wholesome environment for the child and sets the ground for further interest in the festival. Whenever a heady or difficult conversation is to be had with your child, always make sure to break it down in compartments and in a way that can be easily understood by them. 

The second step is by play. Ganesh Chaturthi also entails a lot of preparation and effort to welcome our favorite Ganesha into our homes every year. This is the best time to involve your younger ones, as they learn by doing. Instead of them sitting and participating only during pooja, why not involve them in getting the house ready? Simple tasks like making a small Ganesh idol by using atta, making the flower arrangement, and making their own rangolis, get them excited and involved in the festivities. 

The third element is food. Now the way into a child’s mind is definitely through the stomach, and there are some delectable Ganesh Chaturthi treats that are favorites for all ages. Most of these treats and sweets are made at home using a special family recipe that is near and dear to us. Whether it is making ladoos or modaks, get your child interested by teaching them how to make little versions of this age-old treat. Whether it is shaping or molding them, mixing the key ingredients, or measuring them, make sure that they are involved in some capacity when making these delicious treats. 

The fourth element is getting them involved spiritually. Now, at a young age, understanding the complexities of God or religion might be too much for your little ones, but spirituality and peace are universal. During aarti, pooja, or a celebration, make sure that they are participating. Not just that, explain to them in a medium that they can understand why we do aarti or sing to the idols. Making your child feel that Ganesha is just like another loved family member who only visits once a year, which is why we like to celebrate him with pomp and show can be a way to talk to them about this. 

Always remember that getting kids involved at a young age in our culture and festivities set the stage for their interest and participation later on. In an increasingly globalized and online world, individual cultures and festivities may get blurred, so as parents and guardians, it is up to us to make sure that coming generations remember the riding emotions and celebrations of our beloved Ganesh Chaturthi! 

The post How To Get Your Child Involved in Ganesh Chaturthi Festivities appeared first on Windmill Festival.

Twister- This beloved game that has been around for years is the perfect summer game for your kids to try. This game is specially tailored for young kids who might not enjoy a lot of physically demanding games in the heat. These hilarious games that require you to bend, twist and turn in different positions are done better outside, as it gives your children much more space and freedom to play as they please. What’s better, adults can also join in the fun with their kids and spend endless hours of pure fun making memories in the summer breeze. Get your Twister here. 

Water Volleyball-  One thing that serves as a respite for all of us is the pool during summers. Your kids may not take to running around in the heat well, but they surely would not pass up any time in the pool. Make things interesting by inviting all their friends for a fun game of pool volleyball, which has all the fun of normal volleyball, but the added difficulty of wading your way through the water to make things fun! Not only is this a game that will keep them engaged for hours, but it is a great form of exercise that will encourage your kids to stay active and fit during the summer! 

Paint Master- This game involves both outdoor fun and also creative exercises to keep your kids engaged. Make sure to use washable paints for this game to easily clean after it is over. It is a fairly simple game, best done outdoors for an added element of fun. Divide the kids into groups of two and give them an outside garage or wall to paint under a given time. Teammates have to switch and go back to the starting point every 30 seconds and have to paint a complete picture that will be assigned to them at the starting. The team that finishes the artwork first, wins. Not only is t a fun sports game, but it also teaches kids teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication as both the team members have to be in sync to finish the complete picture. For your washable, non-toxic paints, try Dabble for all your art needs! 

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• Food

 Well, the theme of this party is certainly no Easter egg after all! From everything to bunny-shaped cookies, egg appetizers, and Easter-colored cupcakes- you can definitely go creative with the food. Preparation at least two days beforehand is crucial so that on the day of the party there are no glitches! You can also have an Easter-themed cookie decoration station on the day of the party as a fun activity for kids. If you have decided to have a particular theme for your food arrangements, we highly suggest checking out the Preppy Kitchen Youtube channel which has a curated list of easy dessert recipes that you can try for your party. From Easter Bunny Cupcakes, Easter Bread, Easter Egg Cakes to Easter Chick Cupcakes, this channel has the most detailed and easy recipes to try for your Easter party! For the main course and for dishes on the savory side, we recommend a menu that includes Pastel Deviled Eggs, Crescent Rolled Carrots, and a Quiche to bring in the theme of Easter and Spring. Want to know the detailed recipes for each? Certainly, check out this video for the detailed recipes and more inspiration regarding the menu! 

• Activities 

Entertaining young kids will be a task for sure! Make sure you have planned out a handful of activities for them to make this party memorable! We recommend setting up an Easter Egg hunt with personalized baskets for each participant. Make this easy for young kids by hiding treats with every egg they find! To amp up the fun, have an Easter Bunny Sack Hop Race- where every child wears a sack and hops to the finish line while wearing the most adorable bunny ears! Having an Easter Egg decoration station is a must, so make sure you have enough art supplies for the young ones. We recommend choosing Dabble which is India’s first sustainable, non-toxic, and natural crayon made in ergonomic shapes that easily fit the grubby hands of young kids! For some added fun, arrange for a face tattoo session for the kids, so that they have their faces painted with the most gorgeous pastel colors of the season! 

• Decor

What are Easter without the signature pastel decor and the famous Easter bunny? Make sure that you remind everyone that the theme of the party is pastel so that match the decor. You can have some bunny ears kept at the entrance so that when they enter the party they can wear one and enter. Look for pastel balloons and consider making a pastel balloon arch for the photo booth, or as the centerpiece of the party. Pastel streamers and pre-decorated Easter eggs kept at the corners of the venue will surely tie them together! Having the menu written on a Bunny Themed chalkboard will look extremely adorable and will be on point! Having little bamboo baskets by the side that will be later used by the kids for their Easter Egg Hunt is a cute addition to your venue. We also love these miniature bunny pieces that will be a great detailed decor piece for your party that the kids can take home later as a party favor. Last but not the least, you have to get these tiny Easter Egg Hatchimals Toys that are perfect as decor and as party favors for the attendees!

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The Musical Theme- The New Year is all about the sounds of laughter and glee that the joy of togetherness brings. Incorporate this theme into your next party by making it all about the sounds and music of the festival. Order all the Indian classics and if you have talented budding musicians at home, give them all the liberty to plan out the musical itinerary of the night that has to match the theme. Make it like a concert at home, make a makeshift stage, don your most glamorous saree or kurta, and jam to your favorite songs. Make a fun competition by playing the guess the song, or the singer game, and give everyone in the family a chance to let their inner singer live on the stage. We love these lights that will add some serious charm to your stage! To add to the music theme, check out these decorations!

The Backyard Party- An outdoor summer party is a fun idea especially if you have kids at home. It is also a great backyard party idea on a budget since it will include just the closest and your most favorite people. Start off your decor by lighting up the patio, or using some string lights to spruce up the patio furniture. For food, make sure you have a lot of finger food and snacks ready to go, and it will be cheaper to buy it in bulk. Be ready with a shade if it starts raining and keep the kids engaged with fun activities like letting them play with eco-friendly crackers under the parental guidance of course, or keep them busy in a fun art project which is New Year themed like finger painting or what the New Year represents to them!

The DIY Ugai Rangoli Party- What’s a Ugadi party without the rangoli? Take this opportunity to let your inner artist shine. Get rangoli supplies at home, and create a competition where the entire fam competes to create the biggest and the most eloquent rangolis. Team up and collaborate with the family members to create your own personal masterpiece at home. Since everyone will be busy creating these rangolis, make sure you have enough snack foods and drinks for refreshments to keep the spirit alive! We love these DIY Rangoli kits for your children!

Decorate Your Own Diya- New Year means welcoming the new light to your life. Bring some light and let the children bring in the iridescent illumination of tiny diyas dotted around the house. Make it a fun activity by including everyone in the fam, even the kids. The joy of having made your diya and decorating it all over the house will be unparalleled. Plus engaging your kids in creative activities like these is great for their brain development and finger dexterity. We love these adorable make-your-own diya sets for the entire fam! Tiny Diyas dotted around the home, decorated by the young children of the house, will be a perfect decor idea for the new year! 

A Floral Themed New Year Party- The pastel shades of fresh flowers from the market, the ephemeral charm of marigolds that is a staple fixture during any kind of festivity, the allure of jasmine, or the understated elegance of lilies, flowers have the ability to light up any household. Plan your New Year by adding some gorgeous flowers all over your living space that matches the color scheme of your house. We recommend light shades of lily and jasmine if you have a monochrome setting at your place, or a bright flush of marigold if your party is during the day. Don’t want to opt for fresh flowers for your party? We love this flower hanging that is sure to brighten up your party!

The post Here Are Some Fabulous Party Ideas To Welcome The Regional New Year With the Family! appeared first on Windmill Festival.

Phool– Phool is a brand that is bringing traditional Indian craftsmanship and fine art to the contemporary space of incense sticks and luxury fragrances. Therefore, it is so surprising that their brand has also come up with the most premium set of gulals for this Holi which is made from kitchen ingredients that are 100% natural. They are easily washable and do not leave stubborn stains. They are vegan, cruelty-free and their brand upholds the strict standards of fair trade. They are safe for your child’s skin as they are made from delicate temple flowers. In your gulaal pack, you will get 100 grams f 4 colours- pink, green, blue, and yellow and a bottle of premium thandai! Bonus point- you also get a card from the woman who handcrafted your set of colours! 

Organic India–  One of the biggest pros of buying eco-friendly colours is that these colours are made from kitchen ingredients and herbal properties. With Organic India, you can be worry-free as they use cornstarch as their main ingredient for their Holi colours! These colours also come with the guarantee that they will not cause any skin irritation, skin infections, or hurt your eyes if they get in. They come in 4 attractive colours- red, pink, green and yellow, and a bonus? They smell heavenly! They are priced at INR 160 for a pack of four! 

Satavic Farms– Satavic Farms have been revolutionising the organic Holi colours movement since 2008 and hence have more than a decade of expertise when it comes to providing natural and herbal solutions to Holi colours. They have such a good track record that their colours have been sold to primary schools and many other educational institutions as well! Their colours are truly an ecofriendly solution to Holi colours as they are made using herbs, flowers, edible materials, turmeric, fruits, and vegetable extracts. They are 100% natural and organic. They are kinder to the environment in their use as they have not been treated with chemicals and harmful substances making it eco-friendly when it comes to disposing of them! Every pack goes through stringent lab-testing to make sure you are getting a non-toxic, organic and safe product for Holi! They are priced at INR 390 at 1 kg. 

Lustrous Herbal Gulal- As the name suggests, these colours are radiant and vibrant, perfect for Holi and also very gentle to the skin! They are also kind to the environment because of their organic and non-toxic way of manufacturing. The best thing about these colours are you and your family can have all the fun and when it comes time to rub it off, it comes off easily! It is also good for the environment as the colour particles float less in the air which helps in reducing air pollution. These colours are non-toxic, kid-friendly, skin-friendly and come in 5 vibrant colours- red, blue, yellow, orange and green! They are also reasonably priced at INR 180 for a packet of 5. 

Red Earth India– These colours are true as homemade and traditional as they can get! Red Earth India is scented with traditional ittars and are 100% natural gulals that are made from edible sources that are found in every Indian kitchen! They have a wide colour range and their products are completely unadulterated and skin-friendly. They are priced at INR 650 for 1 kg. 

Tota Brand– They make the best herbal colours! Their colours have a fruity aroma that goes with them. They have 5 vibrant shades that are bio-degradable and kind to the skin and the environment. Plus, they have zero plastic particles in them! 

The post Protect The Skin: Brands Making Eco-Friendly Colours This Holi appeared first on Windmill Festival.