5 fun activities to celebrate Deepavali!

Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is around the corner. This is a great opportunity to not only celebrate a cultural festival as a school but also for children to explore a different tradition, culture, and custom! Our team has put together 5 fun activities for this Deepavali celebration for you and your  children to make it a memorable one!

1. Simple Deepavali crafts   Craft activities are great and probably one of the simplest ways to introduce cultural festivals to the children. During the process of craft making, teachers can also integrate storytelling elements, explaining the significance of the festival. This helps to increase their understanding about a different culture and festival.

One of the well-known traditions of Deepavali is the Rangoli Craft that Hindus display at the entrance of their house to welcome the Goddess, Lakshmi, in. For a simpler approach, you can print out a Rangoli design template for simple coloring activities with the kids:

Check out some of the free Rangoli design templates here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/rangoli-colouring-pages http://www.bestcoloringpagesforkids.com/rangoli-coloring-pages.html ​http://www.studyvillage.com/resources/2936-Rangoli-design-colouring-pages.aspx

​Having face or body paint ideas in mind for Deepavali celebration? Check out Nurture Craft’s Face and Body Paint Set:

2. Food Sharing Food can never be forgotten in any celebration, so what better occasion can there be to introduce Deepavali snacks! As food is a strong identity of culture that enables children to make a connection easily, teachers can share some of the Indian delicacies served during Deepavali and its significance behind it.

3. Dress Up Station and Photobooth        Not only does dress up play integrates dramatic play and stimulates creativity and imagination, it allows children to learn about different cultures in a fun and engaging way too. Teachers can also make use of this opportunity to explain the differences and similarities among their peers, regardless of which ethnic background the children come from. ​ Set the mood and decorations right with classroom borders:

4. Learn Deepavali Songs and Dances  Music is defined by culture, and it is a great and important element to bridge everyone of diversified background together. Getting the children involved in the dance and music provides an insight into other cultures, and at the same time intensifying cultural exchange experience for them. 

5. Excursion to Indian Heritage Centre Plan a wonderful day out with the children to visit the Indian Heritage Centre! Aside from the benefits of understanding cultural and historical events beyond the curriculum, excursions can provide a great value by allowing them to experience and associate what they have read in the books or learned in class. It also exposes them to visual and sensory experiences, which helps to reinforce the learning process and stimulate creative thinking.

Some fun facts about Deepavali:

• More than 800 million people celebrate this festival in various ways.

• Deepavali marks the beginning of the new financial year hence traders start it by opening the new book of accounts.

• Goddess Lakshmi the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity is generally worshiped on this auspicious day.

We hope this article contributes some fresh ideas to a great and delightful Deepavali celebration this year! Share with us your creative activities of celebrating Deepavali in the comments section below too, we would love to hear from you! ​ Lastly, Preschool Market team wishes you a Happy Deepavali!

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