
Make Diwali Shine
Explore the meaning behind Diwali, the Festival of Lights, by designing and crafting a symbolic light decoration. This activity encourages creativity and understanding of cultural traditions through hands-on making.
The lesson goal is learners will understand the significance of light in cultural celebrations, particularly Diwali, recognizing how it symbolizes abstract concepts like good triumphing over darkness. They will apply this understanding by designing and constructing their own decorative light element using everyday materials.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Breakfast Brightness5 Min
- Identify light sources around the breakfast table or kitchen.
- Move on when Child identifies several light sources and shares one thought about how light makes them feel or helps them.
Photo by Curtis Adams on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan: Festival Lights8 Min
- Discuss types of lights used in celebrations.
- Lay out materials and plan your light decoration.
- Move on when Child has a basic idea or sketch for their light creation and has identified which materials they want to use.
- 3
Discussion: Light's Deeper Meaning6 Min
- Discuss the symbolic meaning of light in celebrations.
- Move on when Student can explain in their own words that light in Diwali represents good winning over something bad, and can give one example of what 'darkness' might mean metaphorically.
Photo by Aleksandar Spasojevic on Pexels - 4
Activity: Crafting Our Light9 Min
- Cut paper into desired shapes for your light design.
- Fold and glue paper pieces to form your decoration.
- Decorate with markers and aluminum foil.
- Move on when Student has completed their paper light decoration.
Photo by Rajan chandra saha on Pexels - 5
Summary: Our Festival of Lights2 Min
- Reflect on your finished light and its meaning.
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway about light, Diwali, or their creation.
Photo by Th2city Santana on Pexels
Why do people light lamps at Diwali?
Make Diwali Shine

Explore the meaning behind Diwali, the Festival of Lights, by designing and crafting a symbolic light decoration. This activity encourages creativity and understanding of cultural traditions through hands-on making.
Our Goal is learners will understand the significance of light in cultural celebrations, particularly Diwali, recognizing how it symbolizes abstract concepts like good triumphing over darkness. They will apply this understanding by designing and constructing their own decorative light element using everyday materials.
What You Need
Missing something? In the app, Mai suggests swap ideas.
Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Breakfast Brightness5 Min
- Identify light sources around the breakfast table or kitchen.
- Move on when Child identifies several light sources and shares one thought about how light makes them feel or helps them.
Photo by Curtis Adams on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan: Festival Lights8 Min
- Discuss types of lights used in celebrations.
- Lay out materials and plan your light decoration.
- Move on when Child has a basic idea or sketch for their light creation and has identified which materials they want to use.
- 3
Discussion: Light's Deeper Meaning6 Min
- Discuss the symbolic meaning of light in celebrations.
- Move on when Student can explain in their own words that light in Diwali represents good winning over something bad, and can give one example of what 'darkness' might mean metaphorically.
Photo by Aleksandar Spasojevic on Pexels - 4
Activity: Crafting Our Light9 Min
- Cut paper into desired shapes for your light design.
- Fold and glue paper pieces to form your decoration.
- Decorate with markers and aluminum foil.
- Move on when Student has completed their paper light decoration.
Photo by Rajan chandra saha on Pexels - 5
Summary: Our Festival of Lights2 Min
- Reflect on your finished light and its meaning.
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway about light, Diwali, or their creation.
Photo by Th2city Santana on Pexels
In The Mai App
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