Easy paper plate diya lamp craft for Diwali

Here’s an easy diya lamp craft that children can make for Diwali, using our diya lamp printable or a paper plate.

Easy paper plate diya lamp craft for Diwali

This paper plate diya lamp craft uses only simple materials and is great for a group of children to make for Diwali, as they practise following a set of step-by-step instructions. You can make a paper plate version or use our diya lamp template.

This article is one of our Diwali activities and crafts for children resources.

In this article you can:

:: learn how to make a paper plate diya lamp decoration

:: alternatively, use our diya lamp printable as a template

:: learn about the festival of Diwali

:: practise following a set of step-by-step instructions

:: find links to more Diwali crafts and activities, including other easy diya lamp crafts children can make

Ready-made Diwali Unit

If you’re a member of our Play Academy you can download a ready-made five day Diwali Unit and you’ll be ready to lead a week of fun and educational Diwali activities with your children.

This Unit is part of our Festivals specialist curriculum pathway, and is a part of a set of ready-made units you can use to teach your children about the festivals of the world all through the year. Based on the teaching philosophy of hands-on learning, the Play Academy festivals curriculum is engaging, effective and loved by children.

See more details of this Diwali Unit, and all the other specialist curriculum pathways and ready-made units you can choose from, in the Play Academy here.

What are diya and how are they linked to Diwali?

The Indian festival of Diwali is often called the Festival of Lights and diya lamps are linked to the festival.

The story of Rama and Sita is at the centre of the festival. It this the story of good winning over evil, and at the end of the story all the people place oil lamps outside their houses, to show Rama and Sita the way home.

Diya are these oil lamps, nowadays often lit with a candle placed at their centre instead of oil.

You can find out more about the story of Rama and Sita here.

And see NurtureStore’s Diwali crafts and activities here.

Materials needed:

:: diya lamp template or paper plate and coloured paper or card (for flame)

:: coloured pens, pencils or paint

:: stickers, sequins and/or (biodegradable) glitter (optional)

:: scissors

:: glue, sticky tape or staples (if using paper plate option)

:: ribbon or yarn to hang (optional)

How to make a diya from a paper plate or printable template

You can either use our diya lamp template or make your own diya craft using a paper plate.

If using our diya lamp template:

:: Print the template on paper or (preferably) card. See below for details on how to print the template.

:: Use pens, pencils or paint to colour the diya lamp template.

:: Add glitter, sequins or stickers to decorate if you like.

:: Colour the flame in orange or yellow.

:: Cut out, around the diya lamp and the flame, to make your diya lamp decoration.

If using a paper plate:

:: Fold a paper plate in half to create a semi-circular diya lamp shape.

:: Use pens, pencils or paint to colour the paper plate diya lamp.

:: Add glitter, sequins or stickers to decorate if you like.

:: Cut out a flame shape (or use the one on our printable template) from orange or yellow paper.

:: Use glue, sticky tape or staple to fix the flame on to the paper plate diya lamp.

:: You can add a length of ribbon or yarn to make a string to hang your diya lamp if you want to.

How to display your diya lamp craft

You might like to attach a length of ribbon or yarn to your diya lamp so you can hang it up

You can give your decorated diya lamp as a greeting card to friends, family or neighbours to wish them a happy Diwali.

You could hang the diya lamp in your window or place it on your porch, to remember how diyas lit the way for Rama and Sita’s journey home, in the Diwali story.

You can string up several diya lamps to make a Diwali garland.

More easy diya crafts for children to make

For more options, all using simple materials and suitable for a range of ages of children, see all our diya lamp crafts.

More Diwali crafts and activities

For more great ideas to learn about and celebrate Diwali with your children, including Rama and Sita puppets and diya crafts, see our full index of Diwali crafts and activities for children.