Before making colours, you can also read the story of Holi for kids to help children understand why we celebrate this beautiful festival.
A Little Story Before We Begin…
Three years ago, just before Holi, I stood in a store aisle reading the ingredient list on a packet of colours — and I froze. Words I couldn’t pronounce. Chemicals I wouldn’t put on my own skin… let alone my child’s.
That day I came home and decided:
If colours touch my child’s skin, they should be safe enough to come from my kitchen.
So we experimented. Failed. Tried again. Laughed at purple hands and yellow countertops. And finally — we created the softest, safest, most beautiful homemade gulal.
Since then, making natural colours has become our Holi ritual, not just a DIY.
Today I’m sharing that exact method with you so your little ones can enjoy Holi freely — without you worrying about their skin.
🌿 Why We Switched to Homemade Holi Colours
Most commercial colours may contain synthetic dyes, microplastics, and artificial fragrances. These can sometimes cause:
- skin irritation
- itching
- dryness
- eye discomfort
Natural colours, on the other hand, are:
✔ gentle on delicate skin
✔ biodegradable
✔ non-toxic
✔ safe if accidentally touched near mouth
✔ budget friendly
Honestly? Once you try homemade gulal, it’s hard to go back.
🧺 Ingredients From Your Kitchen
One of my favourite parts of this activity is telling kids:
“We’re not buying colours… we’re cooking them!”
All you need:
- Beetroot
- Red cabbage
- Spinach or coriander leaves
- Turmeric
- Cornflour or arrowroot powder
That’s it. No fancy supplies. No chemicals.
👩🍳 How We Make Natural Gulal (Step-by-Step)
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This is the exact process we follow every year:
Step 1 — Prep
Wash and chop vegetables.
Step 2 — Extract Colour
Grind or boil with a little water until colour releases.
Step 3 — Strain
Separate coloured liquid from pulp.
Step 4 — Powder Base
Mix liquid into cornflour slowly until crumbly texture forms.
Step 5 — Dry
Spread and dry completely (sun or fan).
Step 6 — Finish
Crush gently into soft powder.
✔ Texture should feel like store gulal — light and fluffy.
🎨 Natural Colour Chart Kids Love
Children enjoy choosing colours like paint shades. Here’s our favourite chart:
| Shade | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| ❤️ Red | Beetroot |
| 💚 Green | Spinach/Coriander |
| 💛 Yellow | Turmeric |
| 💜 Purple | Red cabbage |
| 💙 Blue | Red cabbage + baking soda |
| 🌸 Pink | Red cabbage + lemon |
| 🧡 Orange | Beetroot + turmeric |
Fun fact for kids:
Red cabbage is like a science experiment — it changes colour depending on what you mix with it!
💛 What Makes This Tradition Special
This activity is not just about colours. It’s about:
- sensory play
- science learning
- bonding time
- mindful celebrations
- teaching sustainability
Kids feel proud saying:
“We made our own Holi colours!”
And that confidence? Priceless.
🛡️ Safety Tips for Playing Holi With Kids
Even natural colours should be used safely.
- Apply coconut oil on skin before play
- Keep away from eyes
- Patch test first
- Use dry powders only (no wet colours for toddlers)
- Play in open ventilated area
📦 Storage Tips
If stored properly, your DIY colours stay fresh.
- Use airtight containers
- Keep in cool dry place
- Avoid moisture
- Best used within 2–3 weeks
💰 Cost Comparison
Store colours: ₹300–₹800/kg
Homemade colours: ≈ ₹150/kg
You save money and protect your child’s skin.
Win-win.
🌈 Ways Kids Can Use These Colours (Beyond Holi)
These powders are so safe that we use them even after Holi:
- Rangoli play
- Colour mixing experiments
- Sensory bins
- Art projects
- Colour recognition games
So nothing goes to waste.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Holi is not about how bright the colour is.
It’s about how happy the child wearing it is.
Making colours at home slowed us down. It made the festival more meaningful. More intentional. More joyful.
And now, every year when we take out our jars of homemade gulal, I don’t just see colours.
Are homemade Holi colours safe for toddlers?
Yes, if made from edible ingredients like vegetables and turmeric and used as dry powders.
How long do natural colours last?
Up to 2–3 weeks when stored airtight and dry.
Do natural colours stain skin?
No. They wash off easily with water and mild soap.
Can I make these colours without cornflour?
Yes, arrowroot powder works equally well.
I see memories.
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