Diwali Activities for Kids

Diwali activities are a great way to bring cultural learning into your homeschool or classroom.

The Festival of Lights offers so many opportunities for creativity, whether it’s making paper diyas, decorating rangoli, or exploring stories behind the celebration.

We’ve used these kinds of hands-on projects to make lessons feel more connected and meaningful.

This list includes simple crafts, printables, and books that help kids understand the traditions of Diwali in an engaging, age-appropriate way.

Whether you’re introducing the holiday for the first time or adding to what you already do, these ideas can fit right in.

Coloring pages and Diwali crafts for kids including rangoli art, lotus candle, diya garlands, and paper plate designs.

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Activities to Learn & Celebrate Diwali

Here are some easy ways to explore Diwali with kids through crafts, games, and printables.

Each one helps highlight a different part of the celebration, from diyas and rangoli to stories and traditions, while keeping things fun and hands-on.

Diwali Color By Number

These color-by-number pages are a fun way to weave math and art into your Diwali plans. Kids practice number recognition and color matching while filling in festive images like diyas, fireworks, and sweets. It’s great for quiet time, early finishers, or adding a bit of structure to creative time during the week of Diwali.

Printed Diwali coloring pages featuring Lord Rama, Sita, fireworks, an elephant, and the Indian flag, with colorful markers and beads for decoration.

Free Printable Diwali Coloring Pages

These free coloring pages make it easy to introduce Diwali symbols to younger kids. Each page features bold, easy-to-color illustrations like lamps, rangoli, and elephants, making them perfect for preschoolers or early elementary students. We’ve used them during read-alouds and kept a few in our morning basket during the week of the celebration.

Diwali Dhamaka : Indian Festival the Festival of Lights

This virtual class on Outschool gives kids ages 6–10 a guided overview of Diwali, covering its history, traditions, food, and cultural importance. It’s a great option if you want something interactive and educational led by a teacher familiar with the holiday. Ideal for homeschoolers who want a live learning component or those exploring world holidays more deeply.

Diwali Activity Bundle

This printable activity set includes word searches, crosswords, bookmarks, and a Diwali-themed Scattergories game. It’s a nice mix of independent and group-friendly activities that can work across age levels. We've used similar sets as part of themed Fridays or to break up our regular curriculum with something seasonal.

Diwali Card Craft Kit Diya

This card-making kit includes everything kids need to design and share their own Diwali greetings, complete with diya designs and bright festive details. It’s a thoughtful way to blend creativity with cultural learning, and kids love being able to mail or gift their finished cards to friends or family.

4-in-1 Felt Board Diwali Story Set With Multiple Songs

This felt board set brings Diwali stories to life with colorful felt characters and songs that walk kids through key moments of the celebration. It's especially helpful for younger children or visual learners who benefit from tactile storytelling. A nice addition to circle time or a cultural unit focused on Indian festivals.

Diwali Bingo

This printable Diwali bingo game is an easy way to involve a group of kids in learning about holiday symbols and traditions. With icons like diyas, sweets, and fireworks, it sparks conversation while keeping things playful. Great for family gatherings, co-ops, or homeschool groups with mixed ages.

www.littleladoo.com

Diwali Paper Diya craft

Making paper diyas is a simple but meaningful way to introduce kids to the symbolism of light during Diwali. This free template keeps it mess-free and age-appropriate, and you can easily pair it with a read-aloud or a short video explaining the tradition behind lighting diyas.

nurturestore.co.uk

Diwali rangoli designs with colored salt

This rangoli craft uses homemade colored salt to create traditional patterns, giving kids a hands-on way to explore Indian art. It's a great opportunity to discuss symmetry and symbolism while working on fine motor skills. Plus, it makes a vibrant display for your learning space or celebration table.

www.littleladoo.com

Cardboard Rangoli Maze

This creative twist on rangoli art turns a familiar design into an interactive cardboard maze for toddlers and preschoolers. It introduces rangoli in a way that emphasizes play and problem-solving, while still connecting to the themes of beauty and welcome associated with Diwali.

littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Paper Candle Diwali Craft

This free printable lets kids make their own paper diya or lamp, tying in nicely with Diwali’s focus on light over darkness. The simple shapes and clear instructions make it ideal for preschool and early elementary kids. It’s also a good fit for classrooms or families looking for a low-prep activity with meaningful symbolism.

www.redtedart.com

Rangoli Suncatcher Craft

This suncatcher version of rangoli combines traditional design with modern materials, using translucent paper to mimic stained glass. Kids can explore patterns and color while learning about the significance of decorating homes for Diwali. We’ve hung ours in the window during November and it always adds a festive touch.

www.redtedart.com

DIY Lotus Light for Diwali

This lotus light craft brings together cultural symbolism and hands-on learning. The lotus represents purity and beauty in many Indian traditions, and making it into a glowing Diwali decoration helps spark conversations about deeper meanings behind the holiday. A lovely project for older kids or family crafting together.

Classic Tales from India: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head and Other Stories

This beautifully illustrated book introduces kids to Indian mythology through one of its most beloved deities, Ganesha. It’s a great read-aloud option during Diwali, offering cultural background while encouraging thoughtful questions. We’ve paired it with related crafts or coloring pages for a more rounded experience.

Buy It Now

Diwali Suncatchers

These suncatchers are designed to resemble colorful rangoli patterns, and kids can decorate them with paint pens or tissue paper for a faux stained-glass effect. It’s a calming, creative activity that works well for a wide age range, especially if you’re looking for something that doubles as festive decor.

Buy It Now

Free Diwali Activity Pack

This printable activity pack is geared toward younger kids (K–2) and includes a mix of games and worksheets, like dominoes, a gift card template, graphing, and coloring pages. It’s an easy way to build a short Diwali unit without needing to prep much. Great for early learners who enjoy variety and hands-on tasks.

kids.nationalgeographic.com

Diwali Festival of Lights

This article is a solid pick if you want to add a nonfiction reading element to your Diwali study. It gives an age-appropriate overview of the celebration, including traditions, food, and historical context. Works well as a companion to your crafts or as part of a social studies unit on world cultures.

Activities to Learn & Celebrate Diwali

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