Diwali, the vibrant and colorful Hindu festival, brings with it a celebration of light, joy, and togetherness. For nurseries in the UK, Diwali provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce young children to multicultural traditions, fostering respect, curiosity, and excitement for different cultures. Here are some engaging, age-appropriate activities that can be adapted for nurseries, ensuring that Diwali is celebrated in an inclusive and fun way.

1. Storytelling and Circle Time: The Story of Diwali

One of the best ways to introduce young children to Diwali is through storytelling. The tale of Lord Rama and his return to Ayodhya, greeted by rows of glowing lamps, can be simplified for young children and is a great way to capture their imagination.

Activity: Diwali Storytelling

• Gather the children in a circle and share a simple, illustrated storybook about Diwali.
• Highlight the concept of good triumphing over evil and the beauty of family reunion.
• Include interactive elements by asking children to repeat words like “lights” or “celebration” to maintain engagement.

Extended Activity
Encourage the children to “act out” the story. You could create a short play where they get to play different characters or imitate the lighting of diyas. This not only enhances comprehension but also lets them express creativity and build confidence.

2. Arts and Crafts: Making Diyas and Rangoli

Diwali is often symbolized by the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and colorful rangoli patterns, both of which can be adapted into simple crafts for nursery-age children.

Activity: Clay Diyas

• Provide children with small amounts of air-dry clay and let them shape it into small pots, which can be painted in bright colors once dried.
• For safety, use electric tealights instead of candles.
• This activity allows children to work on their fine motor skills and provides a tangible connection to the Diwali festival.

Activity: Rangoli Art with Coloured Sand or Rice

• Draw simple rangoli patterns on large pieces of paper or plastic trays.
• Let children fill in the designs with colored sand or rice, or even non-toxic paint or crayons.
• Rangoli patterns encourage creativity, hand-eye coordination, and an appreciation for traditional art forms. Children can enjoy the sensory experience while creating something beautiful together.

3. Sensory Play: Exploring the Textures and Scents of Diwali

Young children benefit greatly from sensory play, which can be tailored to represent elements of Diwali.

Activity: Scented Play Dough with Spices

• Make play dough with a hint of cinnamon, cardamom, or clove to introduce children to the warm, festive scents associated with Indian celebrations.
• Provide cookie cutters in the shapes of diya lamps, lotus flowers, or circles for creating rangoli.
• This activity encourages sensory exploration, as children learn to identify different scents and textures while being creative.

Activity: Tactile Rangoli with Lentils and Pulses

• Use trays and provide an assortment of lentils, pulses, and rice in various colors.
• Children can create their own rangoli patterns by arranging the lentils in different ways.
• This activity also introduces them to materials commonly found in Indian households, promoting cultural awareness in a tactile, interactive way.

4. Music and Dance: Celebrating with Movement

Music and dance are intrinsic parts of Diwali celebrations, and children love moving to lively music.

Activity: Bollywood Dance Party

• Play traditional Diwali music or upbeat Bollywood songs and encourage children to dance along.
• You can even show simple dance steps and let children follow along.
• Dancing helps young children develop coordination, rhythm, and self-expression while immersing them in the celebratory spirit of Diwali.

Activity: DIY Musical Instruments

• Help children make simple instruments like shakers using empty plastic bottles filled with lentils or rice.
• Once they have made their instruments, let them play along to traditional music.
• This activity introduces rhythm and musicality, with an added benefit of building creativity through instrument-making.

5. Food Tasting and Cooking Activities: A Taste of Diwali

Food is a big part of Diwali, and a simple, sensory-friendly food tasting can introduce children to new flavors and textures.

Activity: Diwali Sweets Tasting

• Prepare a small selection of traditional Diwali sweets, such as mithai, ladoos, or halwa (all in small, child-friendly portions).
• Discuss the flavors and let children describe what they taste. For added learning, talk about sweetness as a common symbol of happiness in Indian culture.
• Be mindful of allergies and ensure all food is safe and appropriate for young children.

Activity: Making Coconut Ladoos

• A hands-on cooking activity like making coconut ladoos (small, round Indian sweets) is easy, fun, and tasty for little hands.
• Let children help measure and mix desiccated coconut and condensed milk, and form small ladoos with their hands.
• Cooking with children builds essential skills, from understanding ingredients to practicing fine motor skills, while they experience the festive joy of making a traditional treat.

6. Nature and Light Exploration: Creating a Diwali Garden

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a wonderful time to teach young children about light and nature.

Activity: Garden Lanterns

• Use small jars to make “lanterns” decorated with tissue paper and safe, child-friendly glue.
• Place battery-operated tealights in the jars, and have the children arrange them in a “Diwali garden.”
• Talk about the significance of lights during Diwali and encourage the children to observe the glow and shadows in a darkened room or garden space.

Activity: Nature Walk and Leaf Printing

• Go on a nature walk and collect autumn leaves.
• Afterward, bring the leaves back to the nursery and use them for leaf-printing art. Encourage children to use bright colors to mimic the vibrancy of Diwali.
• This activity allows children to connect with nature, while the colorful leaves symbolize the beauty of Diwali decorations.

7. Building Cultural Awareness and Inclusion: Sharing Traditions

Diwali activities in nurseries also provide a chance to build a sense of inclusivity and respect for diversity.

Activity: Invite a Family Member or Community Member

• Invite a parent, family member, or local community member to share how they celebrate Diwali at home.
• Children could see a family member in traditional attire or hear about family traditions.
• Engaging with community members helps children understand Diwali as a lived experience, which fosters curiosity and respect for different cultures.

Activity: Diwali Around the World

• Show children a world map and highlight how Diwali is celebrated not only in India but also across the world, in countries such as Nepal, Singapore, and parts of the UK.
• This broadens their understanding of Diwali as a global celebration, making it inclusive for children from various backgrounds.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Diwali in UK nurseries is a joyful opportunity to introduce children to a world of colors, lights, and tastes, while fostering inclusivity and understanding from an early age. Through storytelling, hands-on crafts, sensory play, music, food, and community engagement, young learners can experience Diwali in ways that are age-appropriate and memorable. In doing so, they’ll gain appreciation for different cultural traditions, building the foundations of respect and curiosity that will benefit them for years to come.

Nurseries that embrace diverse cultural celebrations like Diwali provide invaluable experiences for young children, making early learning environments both inclusive and inspiring. So, let the lights, colors, and spirit of Diwali brighten up your nursery this season and fill young hearts with joy and wonder!