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Celebrate the Festival of Lights
Diwali (also called Dipawali) is the most important holiday of the year in India. This five-day-long “Festival of Lights” begins on November 12 this year. The Diwali story is interpreted according to the region of India in which one lives, but the common theme is the triumph of good over evil. Diwali traditions include cleaning the home for the new year, lighting clay lamps to symbolize light’s protection against darkness, celebrating with friends and family, fireworks, creating colorful rangoli near the entrance of homes, and making special dishes and sweets.
We’ve rounded up 10 kid-friendly crafts, activities and recipes to introduce your child to this colorful and joyous holiday.
First activity: Paper Quilled Rangoli
Paper Quilled Rangoli
If you have slightly older, craft-oriented kids at home you’ll want to give this project a try. By curling long strips of colored paper and gluing them down in a variety of patterns you’ll soon create a beautiful paper rangoli. These will make perfect decorations, or could even be given as a special gift. Head to Red Ted Art for all the details.
Next activity: Diwali Paper Lantern
Diwali Paper Lantern
Diwali is the festival of lights, and this paper lantern is a great way to celebrate the holiday. Head to Artsy Crafty Mom for all the details, including a free printable template. This project will bring lots of light and color into your home this season.
Next activity: Diyas
Diyas
The Festival of Lights wouldn’t be complete without diyas, which are small lamps that are lit for Diwali. These oil lamps are usually made from clay and are placed at entryways and boundaries of the home. Kids will enjoy making these salt dough versions of diyas from Learning and Exploring Through Play and then adding paint and sparkle to their creations. Using battery-operated tealights makes this craft safer for kids.
Next activity: Diwali bells
Diwali bells
We love this simple bell craft from Baker Ross made from paper cups. The activity can be adapted for younger children by allowing them to decorate the bells with markers or self-sticking foam shapes. Make your own pom-poms from yarn and hang your creations individually or put several on a string as a garland.
Next activity: Sand rangoli
Sand rangoli
During Diwali, colorful designs called rangoli are often created on the floor of the home as a warm welcome to the gods and to bring good luck. These vibrant folk-art designs are created with colored sand, powdered rice, flower petals and more. Kids can enjoy making their own sand art on a tray or mat as in this post by Kids Craft Room (see this recipe for making your own colored sand). When the art is finished, add a few battery-operated tealights and snap a picture.
Next activity: Henna hands
Henna hands
For a Diwali-inspired twist on a simple hand-tracing craft, try a henna hand from Thomas Elementary Art. After tracing your child’s hand, add in henna patterns with black or brown fine-tip markers. Google images of simple henna designs for inspiration. Cut out the paper hands and mount them on colored paper to display.
Next activity: Glitter cards
Glitter cards
These greeting cards by the Artsy Craftsy Mom feature a sparkly diya constructed with glitter paper — all the glitz of glitter without all the mess! Add accents in sequins and gold Sharpie to amp up the dazzle factor.
Next activity: Thali plates
Thali plates
Thali means plate in Hindi, and beautiful silver plates are often used to present Diwali sweets and treats during the holiday. Kids can create their own thali craft from Kid World Citizen using inexpensive silver platters from the Dollar Store. Incorporate paper doilies, foam shapes, jewels and puffy paint to create traditional flower and leaf designs.
Next activity: Doodh peda
Doodh peda
These delicious Indian sweets made from butter, milk and cardamom are also called pala kova. This kid-friendly recipe courtesy of Kid World Citizen is no-bake, and other than one microwave cooking step, children can make these themselves. Spools are used to create the pretty flower pattern, and as a bonus, these sweets are egg- and gluten-free.
Next activity: Coconut ladoo
Coconut ladoo
These sweet ball-shaped candies are traditionally served during festivals and given as gifts. This post from Indian Healthy Recipes offers three versions of the recipe to suit your tastes. The mixture is cooked on the stove and requires coconut, powdered cardamom, a sweetener and (optional) condensed milk. One of the recipes doesn’t call for milk, making it acceptable for dairy-free diets.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in October 2020, and updated most recently in November 2023.
