Diwali (Celebrate the World): questions to ask and activities to try
Each autumn, friends and families gather and light their brightest lamps: it's time for Diwali, the festival of lights. A bright board book introducing the traditions of Diwali to the youngest children.
What age is Diwali (Celebrate the World) for?
Diwali (Celebrate the World) is best for ages 1–5.
Diwali (Celebrate the World) (Hannah Eliot and Archana Sreenivasan)
- Age
- 1-5
- Best for
- A first introduction to Diwali for little ones
Only 50pDiwali (Celebrate the World) activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Point to the lamps, sweets and patterns on each page and name them together. Ask what your child can see that sparkles.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 1–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- Each autumn, friends and families gather and light their brightest lamps: it's time for Diwali, the festival of lights. A bright board book introducing the traditions of Diwali to the youngest children.
- Helps with
- A first introduction to Diwali for little ones
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Learning about Diwali
- Words for festivals and food
- Light and colour
- Different celebrations
Comprehension and discussion questions for Diwali (Celebrate the World)
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did the families light at Diwali?”
- “What food can you see?”
- “Which picture is the brightest?”
- “What colours are the patterns?”
- “What do you like about celebrations?”
- “How does your family celebrate special days?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Diwali (Celebrate the World)
All 6 questions for Diwali (Celebrate the World) on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Light hunt
Turn the lights down and use a torch to find all the shiny things in the room, like the lamps at Diwali.
Pattern colouring
Draw a simple flower pattern and colour it in bright colours like a rangoli.
Diwali (Celebrate the World) activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Diwali bundleDiwali activity pack + 8 activity sheets, this one includedThe 8 books:Diwali (Celebrate the World)Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!Binny's DiwaliThe Best Diwali EverOne Little LampFirst Festivals: DiwaliPeppa's DiwaliLittle Glow£6.99🛒 Shop · £1.25
3 sheets for £1.25Diwali (Celebrate the World) + Because of an Acorn + Beware of the CrocodileThe 3 books:Diwali (Celebrate the World)Because of an AcornBeware of the Crocodile£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Diwali (Celebrate the World), answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about learning about Diwali.
A 20-minute session for ages 1–5 (nursery to Reception), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Point to the lamps, sweets and patterns on each page and name them together. Ask what your child can see that sparkles.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did the families light at Diwali?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Light hunt. Turn the lights down and use a torch to find all the shiny things in the room, like the lamps at Diwali. Children who finish early can try Pattern colouring.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Diwali (Celebrate the World) activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
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- Best for
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- Age
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Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
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- Age
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Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle)
- Best for
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- Age
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.