Learn about the Indian festival of lights with this simple guide to Diwali for children.
What is Diwali? for children
Share this information and enjoy watching these videos with your children to learn more about Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.
This article is one of our Diwali activities and crafts for children resources.
In this lesson you can::
:: learn about the festival of Diwali: what it is, and when, where, and how it is celebrated
:: learn about the story of Rama and Sita
:: see how an Indian family celebrates Diwali
:: find ideas for Diwali crafts and activities including making your own rangoli designs, diya candle holders, and firework art and crafts
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 Thanksgiving 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 is Diwali?
Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and light over dark. It is a happy festival, full of family and community celebration. It celebrates joy, abundance, and wisdom.
Diwali remembers the story of Rama and Sita. A good man, Rama, rescued Princess Sita from a demon, King Ravana, with the help of Hanuman the monkey and his monkey army.
You can watch this video from MocomiKids to learn the story of Rama and Sita. And here for a printable set of Rama and Sita puppets.
And watch this video from National Geographic to lean more about Diwali.
When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated each year in the autumn. Diwali falls on the date of the new moon following the end of the summer harvest, the darkest night of the Hindu lunar year.
In 2023 Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday 12th November.
Where is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, in India and other countries.
Around the world, many big cities with Hindu communities host a public celebration, so there might be one near to you that you can go along to.
Watch this video by Christine Kaaloa to see how an Indian family celebrates the festival.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is the biggest festival of the year for Hindus and is celebrated with food, decorations, lights, and fireworks.
The entrances of houses are decorated with rangoli patterns made from coloured sand, to welcome guests. You can see a selection of rangoli designs here.
Special food is made for celebration meals, and to give as gifts to neighbours. Sweets are given as gifts to family and friends.
Many people buy new clothes for the festival and give gifts of sweets to each other.
Diwali is also celebrated with fireworks, which fill the sky on the night of the festival.
Diwali crafts and activities for children
See all our Diwali crafts and activities for children to learn more about this festival, including how to make your own rangoli designs, diya candle holders, and firework crafts.
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