First Festivals: Diwali: questions to ask and activities to try
Lift the flaps to reveal a rangoli pattern, look inside the temple and light the diyas. A bright, interactive first book about Diwali from Ladybird.
What age is First Festivals: Diwali for?
First Festivals: Diwali is best for ages 1–4.
First Festivals: Diwali (Ladybird and Aditi Kakade Beaufrand)
- Age
- 1-4
- Best for
- Lift-the-flap Diwali fun for toddlers
Only 50pFirst Festivals: Diwali 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 ↓
Let your child lift every flap and name what they find. Talk about the lamps, the patterns and the people celebrating together.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 1–4 (nursery)
- What they'll enjoy
- Lift the flaps to reveal a rangoli pattern, look inside the temple and light the diyas. A bright, interactive first book about Diwali from Ladybird.
- Helps with
- Lift-the-flap Diwali fun for toddlers
- 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
- New words
- Lift-the-flap fun
- Different celebrations
Comprehension and discussion questions for First Festivals: Diwali
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 was hiding under the flaps?”
- “What is a rangoli?”
- “What did the family do at the temple?”
- “What are diyas for?”
- “Which flap was your favourite?”
- “What would you like to try at Diwali?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for First Festivals: Diwali
All 6 questions for First Festivals: Diwali 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
Flap surprise
Draw a diya, cover it with a paper flap and let your child lift it to make it "light up".
Rice rangoli
Make a small pattern on a plate with coloured rice or lentils.
First Festivals: Diwali 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:First Festivals: DiwaliAmma, Tell Me About Diwali!Binny's DiwaliThe Best Diwali EverOne Little LampDiwali (Celebrate the World)Peppa's DiwaliLittle Glow£6.99🛒 Shop · £1.25
3 sheets for £1.25First Festivals: Diwali + Because of an Acorn + Beware of the CrocodileThe 3 books:First Festivals: DiwaliBecause 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 First Festivals: Diwali, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about learning about Diwali.
A 20-minute session for ages 1–4 (nursery), 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: Let your child lift every flap and name what they find. Talk about the lamps, the patterns and the people celebrating together.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What was hiding under the flaps?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Flap surprise. Draw a diya, cover it with a paper flap and let your child lift it to make it "light up". Children who finish early can try Rice rangoli.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The First Festivals: Diwali 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
Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell)
- Best for
- First words, animals and lifting the flaps
- Age
- 0-4
Little Glow (Katie Sahota and Harry Woodgate)
- Best for
- Festivals of light, seen by a shy little flame
- Age
- 3-7
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
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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.