Origami Lotus Diya

©jmg 2008

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This project is perfect for kids of all ages.

Materials

Gold foil wrapping paper (or origami paper)

Chocolate kisses

double sided tape

Click here for video directions on YouTube

We prefer cutting our own origami paper from rolls of foil wrapping paper. 6 x 6 makes a nice sized lotus. (However, don't make them smaller that 5 x 5 -- or the paper will be too hard to fold.) Once your flower is made, take a small piece of double sided tape and stick in onto the bottom of a chocolate kiss. Place the chocolate in the center of the lotus. These make lovely little Diwali gifts.

Krishna Paper Bag Puppet

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Let the children create their own puppet of Lord Krishna using just a few materials.

Materials

Blue lunch bag

Blue construction paper

Black construction paper

Scraps of decorative paper (in different colors)

Sequins, lace, etc.

Feathers

2 Wiggly eyes

Glue stick

Markers

Scissors

Directions

Each child gets a blue paper bag -- and the rest is left up to them. Put different materials on the table and let them choose how they want to create their own Lord Krishna (or Lord Rama.)

Japa Mala

This mala was designed for the kindergarten Balavihar class. Our lesson was "J is for Japa."

Materials
• 27 beads of your choice
• 1 meru bead — a little larger than the japa beads. (The center hole must be able to fit 2 pieces of yarn.)
• One piece of yarn (six stranded crochet cotton is good)
• Elmer's Glue

Directions
1. Dip one end of your cotton thread into the Elmer's glue. Roll the glued end between your fingers until it starts to form a hardended tip. Do the same to the other end. (see photo A below)
2. With one end of the cotton thread all 27 beads. (see photo B below)
3. Take both ends of the cotton and insert them through the meru bead. (see photo C below)
4. Make a big knot at the botton of your meru bead. You might have to knot a few times to make sure that the the knot is bigger than the hole of your bead.
5. Trim the cotton ends to a desired length.
6. You can make a simple tassle by untwisting both ends of the cotton.

* If you want to make a japa mala consisting of 108 beads, the technique is the same. To make an authentic mala a knot must be tied between each bead. (see photo D below)

Photo A












Photo B













Photo C
















Photo D