Sonas Dayton became an explosion of colour and sensory experiences as children and educators held a Holi-inspired festival.
Widely known as the Festival of Colours, Holi is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times as a way of welcoming spring, happiness and new life.
It was a colourful, messy and exciting way to explore colours and traditions celebrated throughout the world all while having fun.
Kali Manuirirangi, Sonas Dayton centre manager
As part of the festivities, held at Sonas Dayton in March, children participated in a range of messy play and sensory activities, including the tradition of throwing coloured powder dye in the air in a symbol that good prevails over evil.
Sonas Dayton Centre Manager Kali Manuirirangi said the children had enjoyed the Holi-inspired festival and many had formed a new appreciation of cultural and religious traditions.
“It was a colourful, messy and exciting way to explore colours and traditions celebrated throughout the world – all while having fun,” Kali said.
“During the messy mat session, the children were engaged a variety of experiences to explore colour through different sensory activities, and the day culminated in a gigantic colour run where the children and educators covered each other with coloured powder and colour from spray bottles.”
Sensory activities included shaving foam colour collecting to pour and mix rainbow rice, a coloured paper treasure hunt, traditional Rangoli pattern art, ice play and henna designs.