5 everyday things parents can use to protect kids from the evil eye

Ask any dadi or nani why they put a black thread on a baby’s ankle, and you’ll hear the same line: “Bacche ko nazar se bachane ke liye.” Across generations, parents have believed that too much praise, jealousy or even a heavy stare can affect a child’s health, mood, sleep or overall ease. Whether you see it as energy, emotion or just culture, one thing is common: families like simple, gentle protection for children. Nothing scary, nothing dramatic, just small things they can wear every day. Here are five everyday items many parents use to protect kids from the evil eye, and how to use them with care and intention.

That plain black thread around a child’s ankle, waist or wrist looks simple, but carries a long tradition. Black is believed to absorb negativity rather than send it back out. For little ones, the idea is: “Whatever heavy energy is around, let it stop here – not on my child.”

You’ll often see black thread on:

• Newborns and toddlers

• Kids who fall sick often

• Children starting school, stage shows or exams

Many families like to get it tied at a temple or by an elder who truly blesses the child, instead of just using any random thread. If you’re using one, keep it:

• Soft and comfortable (not too tight)

• Clean and dry

• Replaced gently when it becomes too old or worn out

You can also say a small prayer in your own words while tying it: “May my child stay safe, happy, and protected.”

A tiny locket or pendant with a deity is another popular way parents feel their child is protected. It doesn’t have to be fancy, even a simple, lightweight pendant works. The focus is more on faith than on the metal or design.

Some families choose:

• Hanuman for strength, courage and protection

• Ganesha for removing obstacles in studies and new beginnings

• Krishna for softness, love and playfulness

For children, it helps to keep the chain light and not too tight around the neck. You can explain it in simple language:

“This is your special locket. It always stays with you and keeps you safe.”

Just remember basic respect – don’t throw it around, don’t keep it on the floor, and if you remove it before bathing or sleeping, place it somewhere clean and safe.

That tiny black dot of kajal behind the ear, under the foot, or on the side of the forehead is a classic “nazar battu” for children. The logic is sweet and clever: if a child looks too perfect, you add a tiny “flaw” so that heavy attention gets diffused and doesn’t hit them fully.

You’ll see elders doing this, especially for kids going on stage or to big family events or school photo days and special occasions

If you’re using kajal, make sure it is:

• Clean, skin-safe and from a trusted brand or homemade in a hygienic way

• Used as a tiny dot, not a big smudge near the eyes

• Removed gently if it irritates the child’s skin

The idea is protection, not discomfort, if the child doesn’t like it or reacts, it’s okay to skip.

That blue-and-white “eye” charm is now everywhere, on kids’ bracelets, prams, school bags and clothes. Behind the trend is an old idea: a symbolic eye that “takes” the nazar so your child doesn’t have to.

For kids, you can keep it very simple:

• A soft bracelet with an evil eye bead

• A small charm pinned (safely) on the inside of a bag or jacket

• A tiny amulet tied near the cradle or study desk

Parents often like using it on days when the child is getting a lot of attention, birthdays, functions, competitions, dance performances, new school, etc. If it suddenly breaks or goes missing, many take it as a sign that it has done its job and simply replace it calmly.

Think of reflective surfaces as tiny mirrors for energy. Many traditional kids’ outfits have mirror-work, beads or shiny threads not just for beauty, but because they’re believed to reflect back nazar.

For children, this can be as simple as:

• A little mirror-work patch on a dupatta, frock or kurta

• A shiny hair clip or hairband

• A small metallic bracelet, anklet or locket that catches the light

Before stepping out for big occasions, you can set a gentle intention in your mind:

“May anything heavy or negative bounce away. Only good wishes and love reach my child.”

It’s a soft, loving way of saying you don’t want them to carry other people’s jealousy or stress.