15 Fun Diwali Activities for Kids at School & Home

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, brings excitement, hope, and happiness to families. For kids, this festival is all about delicious sweets, crackers, and sparkling decorations. If you are looking for new ways to keep little hands busy and inspire their curiosity, there are plenty of creative Diwali activities for kids that go beyond just lighting lamps.

This blog shares 15 fun and creative Diwali activities for kids that can be enjoyed both at school and at home. The list covers activities for children of all ages. From arts and crafts to festive games, these ideas brighten celebrations and help every child feel part of the joy. 

Schools like DPS Gurugram encourage such hands-on learning and creative teamwork, making celebrations meaningful both at home and in the classroom. 

How is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali, also called Deepavali in many parts of India, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists across the world. It marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Families clean their homes, decorate with diyas, candles, and colorful rangolis, and dress in new clothes and jewellery. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped to seek blessings for happiness, health, and prosperity.

Delicious food is cooked, and gifts and sweets are shared with friends and family. Kids love Diwali not just for the treats but also for the joy of creating memories through games, music, decorations, and crafts that fill their homes with light and love.

Best Diwali Activities for Kids

Here are some of the best Diwali activities that parents can enjoy with their children at home, while teachers can also organize them in classrooms.

1. Rangoli Making

One of the best Diwali activities for students is making rangoli. Help kids draw simple sketches of designs they like. Give them an easy assignment to draw designs with flowers, salt, and colored rice. For example, you can ask them to fill colors inside the lines of a rangoli design. 

2. Diya Decoration

Plain clay diyas (small lamps) can be turned into shining pieces of art. Provide kids with paints, glitter, stickers, or even small mirrors and gems. Ask them to paint their diyas and decorate them in their favorite colors. Light them in the evening to show off their work and brighten the room. 

3. Diwali Greeting Card Making

Encourage children to make Diwali greeting cards for friends, teachers, or family. Offer them colorful paper, markers, stickers, and sparkles. They can add handprints, stamp shapes, or write simple festive messages. This Diwali activity for kindergarten is easy, safe, and always a hit with little children.

4. Organize a Diwali Fair

Students can set up stalls with fun games that attract their friends, sell homemade sweets, and display beautiful handmade crafts. To make the fair more engaging, add activity stalls such as diya painting, rangoli making, and lantern creation.

In the neighborhood, a Diwali fair can be planned as a community event where families come together to celebrate.

5. Diwali Storytelling

Diwali stories teach kids about tradition. Read books like “My Diwali Light” or age-appropriate tales about why Diwali is celebrated. Act out small scenes with costumes, or let children retell what they’ve learned.

Storytime is a simple way to help young kids understand the festival and its values, making it an ideal Diwali activity for nursery class.

6. Diwali Craft Competition

Offer a craft contest that includes lantern making, origami diyas, torans, paper plate rangoli, and diya wall hanging. Paper lanterns are easy to make with colored paper, scissors, and glue. Kids can also try folding paper into diya or star shapes with Diwali-inspired origami.

Encourage creativity in materials. Kids can use recycled paper, shiny wrappers, and more. Display crafts in a classroom or living room to boost kids’ confidence.

7. Eco-Friendly Diwali Campaign

Talk to students about keeping Diwali clean and green. Organize a drive where everyone makes decorations from recycled materials or plants small saplings as part of the celebration.

Kids can make leaf garlands, clay lamps, or paper rangolis in place of plastic decorations. This instills responsibility and respect for nature, turning the celebration into a lesson on caring for the earth.

8. Charity and Sharing Activity

Teach children the joy of sharing by organizing a simple giving activity. Ask every child to bring an old toy, book, or snack to donate to charity. You can connect with a local shelter, orphanage, or old-age home.

This Diwali activity for students encourages them to develop empathy while allowing them to bring joy to others and make a real difference in someone’s life.

9. Poster Making

Kids will love creating bright posters with Diwali themes like diyas, fireworks, gods, and more. Give them big sheets of paper, colors, and craft supplies. Display these posters around class or at home to set the festive mood. Poster competitions can also encourage group work and creative thinking.

10. Candle Making

With proper supervision, candle making can be safe and lots of fun for older students. Provide wax, wicks, and molds or use ready kits. Kids can choose colors and fragrances to make unique candles. Gift-wrapped candles make wonderful presents for guests and teachers.

11. Diwali Quiz Contest With Prizes

Test kids’ knowledge of Diwali with a fun quiz. Prepare simple questions on Diwali traditions, mythology, and customs. Offer small prizes for correct answers, keeping everyone excited and motivated to join.

12. Traditional Dress-Up Competition

Invite children to dress in their best ethnic clothes and walk a mini ramp. Organize a short story or speech for each participant about what their outfit means. Kids can also vote for the most creative or colorful look. This makes everyone feel special and connected to their roots.

13. Dance/Singing Performance

Host a song or dance talent show with Diwali themes, such as Bollywood music or folk songs. Hand out colorful scarves, jewelry, or props to boost confidence. Even shy children often join in group dances or songs, creating lasting memories.

14. Speech Competition

Encourage older children to prepare short speeches or poems about Diwali, its importance, and what it means to them. Public speaking builds self-confidence and helps children think about values like kindness, honesty, and hope.

15. Cooking Activity

Set up child-friendly cooking sessions for snacks and sweets like ladoos, chocolate barfi, or fruit diyas, sliced cantaloupe or oranges shaped as diyas with a strawberry or carrot flame, and mango lassi. Decorating cupcakes and making healthy festive platters are also great Diwali fun activities for the classroom or at home. Kids love tasting their own creations and sharing them with family.

Conclusion

Organising these Diwali activities for kids can make the festival meaningful, fun, and full of learning. From arts and crafts to dancing, dressing up, cooking, and sharing, these activities, filled with tradition and creativity, go a long way.

Schools like DPS Gurgaon stand out for encouraging such practical learning and teamwork in their classrooms, making celebrations special and teaching values that last well beyond the festival of lights.