Free Diwali worksheets for children, with seven printable activities that use real Diwali words, from diyas and rangoli to sweets and sparklers. Print a word search in three levels, bingo cards, a word scramble, a “how many words can you make” page, an acrostic poem, a writing prompt and a fold-up Diwali card, each with an answer key where one is needed.
Diwali worksheets to print (PDF)
These four pages show what the Diwali maker prints: a medium word search with a word list, two bingo cards on a page, an acrostic poem for the letters of DIWALI, and the fold-up card that says “Happy Diwali!” Click a picture for the PDF.
Prefer one download? Grab the ready-made Diwali activity pack (PDF), which has every page in one file.
About Diwali: the holiday at a glance
A little background makes the words on the page mean more. Here are the basic facts that go with these Diwali worksheets:
| When | A five-day festival in autumn, usually between mid-October and mid-November |
|---|---|
| Name | Means “row of lights” from the Sanskrit word deepavali |
| Celebrated by | Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and many others across South Asia and around the world |
| Symbols | Diyas (clay lamps), rangoli, lanterns and fireworks |
| Main idea | The victory of light over darkness and good over evil |
| Foods | Sweets such as ladoo and barfi, shared with family and neighbors |
The story of Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most important festivals of the year for many Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Families clean and decorate their homes, light rows of small oil lamps called diyas and draw colorful patterns called rangoli on the floor near the door.
Stories differ by region. In many parts of India, Diwali remembers the return of Prince Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, when the people lit lamps to welcome him. Elsewhere it honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune. Sikhs mark the same time of year with Bandi Chhor Divas, and Jains remember the day Mahavira reached liberation.
Wikipedia’s Diwali article describes how the festival is celebrated by different communities.
What is in the Diwali activity pack?
Every activity uses the same list of 24 Diwali words, so children meet each word several times in different ways. The list is the heart of these Diwali worksheets: the word search hides it, the scramble mixes it up, the bingo calls it out and the writing prompt asks children to use it.
Diwali word search: three levels
The word search comes in easy, medium and hard grids, with 10, 14 and 18 words from the list.
The longest Diwali words are fireworks, celebrate and sparklers with 9 letters, and the shortest word is joy with 3.
Diwali vocabulary: words to talk about
Take a few minutes to talk about the words before children search for them. These eight are a good place to start:
| Word | Letters | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| diya | 4 | A small clay lamp filled with oil and lit with a cotton wick |
| rangoli | 7 | A colorful pattern made on the floor from colored powder, rice or flowers |
| lakshmi | 7 | The Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune |
| puja | 4 | A prayer or act of worship |
| marigold | 8 | An orange or yellow flower used in garlands and decorations |
| sparklers | 9 | Hand-held fireworks that give off a shower of tiny sparks |
| lanterns | 8 | Lights in a case, often made of paper or cloth |
| sweets | 6 | Treats shared with family, friends and neighbors |
The other 16 words in the list are diwali, lamps, lights, fireworks, rama, sita, family, festival, candles, colors, gifts, celebrate, prayers, flowers, india and joy.
How people celebrate Diwali
- Lighting diyas and string lights around the home
- Making rangoli at the entrance
- Wearing new clothes and visiting relatives
- Praying together and giving thanks
- Sharing sweets and gifts, and watching fireworks
Diwali activities for kids to do with the worksheets
Pair the printed pages with a hands-on idea, and the vocabulary sticks:
- Rangoli design: draw a symmetrical rangoli on squared paper and color it with festive colors.
- Clay diya craft: shape air-dry clay into a small bowl, paint it and use a battery tea light.
- Festival of lights writing: use the prompt to describe a home glowing with diyas and rangoli.
- Kindness link: light a diya for a thing you are thankful for and say it aloud.
- Sweets sharing: make or buy a treat to share with a neighbor, which is how Diwali is celebrated.
A note for families and teachers
Diwali has different stories and meanings in different communities. The word list is a gentle introduction to the festival, and families who celebrate it may want to add their own traditions.
How to use these Diwali worksheets in five minutes
The diwali worksheets maker works from the 24-word Diwali list, so whichever page you print uses the same words. Choose an activity, set the level and press Download PDF or Print, and press New puzzles for a fresh set. It also covers diwali printable activities.
Diwali worksheets: frequently asked questions
When is Diwali?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so the date changes each year. It always falls between mid-October and mid-November.
What does Diwali mean?
Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, which means “row of lights.”
Who celebrates Diwali?
Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate in different ways, and many other people join in. The festival is a public holiday in several countries, including India, Nepal and Singapore.
Diwali printables: find the right page
Diwali card for kids
The diwali card for kids is a fold-up card with the greeting “Happy Diwali!” on the front, a space to draw and a message inside. Print it, color it and fold it in four.
Diwali word search printable
The diwali word search printable comes in easy, medium and hard grids with 10, 14 and 18 words, and an answer key page for each, so one sheet can suit a whole class.
More holiday worksheets
- Diwali Activities for Kids: Crafts, Games and Learning Ideas: the full guide behind this page
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- Halloween worksheets
- Hanukkah worksheets
- All holiday worksheets for 22 holidays and seasons
- Word search generator for your own words
- Bingo card generator for custom cards