Diwali Lesson Plan: Free Worksheets and Coloring Pages for Parents and Teachers

Teaching children about…

Diwali, The Festival of Lights

Overall Goal: Children will learn how, when, and why Indian-American families celebrate Diwali, The Festival of Lights.

Materials/Resources:

1. Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePS1IGz4EU
2. Children’s Book: Lights, Camera, Diwali! (provided)
3. Cycles of the Moon Worksheet (provided)
4. Indian Epic: The Story of Diwali (provided)
5. Signs of Diwali Worksheet (provided)
6. Lights, Camera, Diwali! Coloring Pages (provided)

To Do:

1. Show children the Lights, Camera, Diwali! Book Trailer. Ask children what they know about Diwali (Festival of Colors), India, or the Asian Indian culture. Ask them to predict what they think will happen in the story.
2. Read the Book: Lights, Camera, Diwali!
3. Discuss when it is time for Diwali by learning about the cycles of the moon. Have children draw in their Cycles of the Moon worksheet. Help them figure out the exact date by looking at an October Lunar Calendar online to figure out the date of the new moon.
4. Read the Indian Epic: The Story of Diwali with children to extend their understanding of why Indian-American families celebrate Diwali.
5. During Diwali time, go to a Diwali festival in your community or walk around your neighborhood to look for signs of Diwali. Have children draw in their Signs of Diwali worksheet.
6. Have children pick a coloring page from the Lights, Camera, Diwali! Coloring Pages (click on a page below to download it) and write a description below about how, why, and/or when Indian families celebrate Diwali.