Light up the crafting table and get ready to sprinkle some sparkle into your playtime because Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is upon us! It’s a celebration that’s all about bright colors, twinkling lights, and the joy of togetherness, making it the perfect theme for some festive crafting with the kiddos. Diwali crafts are not just a blast to make; they’re a glowing gateway into teaching little ones about different cultures and traditions in the most dazzling way possible.
With Diwali’s emphasis on new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, what better activity to share with your kids than creating beautiful crafts that embody the spirit of the occasion? From DIY lanterns that cast a cozy glow to vibrant rangoli designs that bring bursts of color to any room, these crafts are as enjoyable to make as they are lovely to look at. So, let’s fold, cut, glue, and bedazzle our way into the heart of this beautiful festival. By the time we’re done, we won’t just have a series of adorable crafts; we’ll have handmade tokens of celebration that could light up even the darkest night. Let’s get those nimble fingers ready – it’s time to dive into the artful fun of Diwali crafts!
The Festival of Lights
I first learned of Diwali when I was in high school and we celebrated it at school. Students who were familiar with the tradition would make a presentation to the entire school and we would all get to partake in the celebrations over the week.
When I was elected as the Diversity Student Counsel member (Prefect as we were know by), I helped set up the celebrate at our school in collaboration with the Indian students. It was always such a joy to learn and partake in the tradition especially around this time of year!
What is Diwali?
Diwali is India’s largest and most important holiday of the year. The festival is named after the row of clay lamps or deepa that Indians light outside their homes to represent the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as vital to the faith of Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
What are the Diwali Traditions?
For Hindus, Diwali is a time to honour the gods and goddesses. The most important is the goddess Lakshmi. It is believed she will step into your home if it’s clean.
When is Diwali and how long is it?
Diwali celebrated in either October or November and happens as the same time as the new moon in the Hindu lunar calendar. It usually lasts five days.
What can you do during Diwali?
There are many traditional things to do for each day of Diwali. The main day of Diwali is on the 3rd day. On that day there are fireworks at night. Friends and family come together for a large dinner with food such as samosas and pakoras (fritters).
During the festival, beautiful and intricate designs called rangoli are made. They’re typically made on the floor or ground. To make them, people usually use things such as coloured rice or powder. They are said to bring good luck.
OK! Are you ready to create some beautiful art to help celebrate this bright Festival of Lights?
Best Diwali Crafts for Kids
Sponge Printed Diya Craft
Diwali Paper Lantern Craft
Accordion Fold Diwali Paper Diya
Watercolor and Pen Henna Craft
Paper Plate Diwali Diya Craft
Paper Plate Rangoli
Playdoh Rangoli
Straw Painted Fireworks for Kids
Free Diwali Colouring Pages
Q-Tip Painted Henna Handprint Craft
Paper Quilled Rangoli
Fireworks Paper Towel Surprise Art
Salt Dough Diva Lamps
Crayon Resist Henna Craft
Paper Plate Diya Craft with Candle
Handprint Diya
DIY Diwali popup card
Make a Pattern paper Toran Craft
Paper Plate Rangoli
Salt Painted Fireworks
Make a Hanging paper Lantern
Cupcake Liner Fireworks
Paper Lotus Flower Tea light holder
Little Paper DIY ornament
Cardboard Tube Flower Lamps
Paper Diya Diwali Garland
How to Make Coloured Sand
Paper Diya Lamps Garland
Scratch Art Henna Handprint Craft
Rangoli Suncatcher Craft for kids this Diwali
Coffee Filter Fireworks Craft
Diya – Kids Diwali Candle Holder
How To Make Paper Lantern Craft
Sparkly Sensory Firework Activity Craft For Toddlers
Age Suitability
This activity is good for toddlers aged children 2 years old and up with adult assistance.
Mess Level
The mess level for this activity is low.
Difficulty to Create
Easy.
Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids
Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.
Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!
Shop our ready made play kits here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.