This KS1 Diwali resource pack introduces Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to the Hindu festival of Diwali through engaging slides, discussions and creative activities.
Designed to be simple and interactive, the resources support pupils in understanding the traditions associated with the festival of lights, while also providing opportunities for writing and hands-on learning.
The pack can be used as a stand-alone lesson or as part of a wider series on Hinduism and its celebrations. It is particularly suitable for the autumn term, when Diwali takes place.
What’s included in the KS1 Diwali resource pack?
- Celebrating Diwali PowerPoint teaching slides – introduces the celebration, key traditions and new vocabulary.
- Diwali image cards (PDF) – to prompt group discussion and reinforce understanding.
- Vocabulary cards – to support pupils with new words linked to Diwali.
- Celebrating Diwali writing sheets (2 versions) – one with space for drawing and labelling, another for short written sentences.
- Creative activity ideas – instructions for making rangoli patterns and diya lamps.
- Teacher notes – guidance on introducing Diwali in KS1, leading discussions and managing activities.
What will pupils do?
Using these KS1 Diwali resources, pupils will:
- Learn about Diwali and its key traditions through discussion and the PowerPoint slides.
- Explore new vocabulary such as diya, rangoli, and mithai.
- Work in groups to examine Diwali images, describe what they see and share their ideas.
- Record their learning using differentiated writing sheets, either by drawing and labelling or writing sentences.
- Take part in creative activities, designing rangoli patterns and making their own diya lamps.
These tasks not only build knowledge of Diwali in KS1 but also develop key skills in speaking, listening, writing and creativity.
National Curriculum links
Writing
- Year 1: saying out loud what they are going to write about, composing sentences orally before writing.
- Year 2: generating ideas and vocabulary before writing, and writing sentences that encapsulate what they want to say.
Religious Education
- Supports study of Hinduism and key celebrations (please refer to your local authority’s agreed syllabus).
Browse more Diwali activities for primary school.