Diwali Light

Craft a pretend light to mark the end of the Hindu year-and you'll be ready to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.

1. Diwali is the most widely celebrated festival for Hindus.

2. Many Hindus start Diwali by lighting a lamp called a Diya. Diya are traditionally made of clay with oil as the fuel and cotton wool as wick. This paper maché Diya is similar.

3. Tear colorful tissue paper into small squares. Cover your work area with newspaper. Mix equal parts of Crayola® School Glue and water in a recycled plastic container. Use a small plastic cup as a mold. Dip tissue pieces in the glue mixture and overlap them on the cup. Make several layers so your Diya takes on its own shape. Dry between each layer.

4. Remove the plastic cup from inside your paper maché Diya. Using Crayola Washable Markers, write Hindu symbols on its sides. The symbol pictured is the numeral 5, representing the 5 days of Diwali.

5. Make a pretend light inside your Diya using red, yellow, and orange tissue paper highlighted with Crayola Glitter Glue. Dry. Glue the light inside your Diya. Dry.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Markers
• No-Run School Glue
• Glitter Glue

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• paper towels
• Hallmark tissue paper
• container(s) of water
• recycled plastic container with lid
• paper cups

"We read about Prince Rama, Sita, and Ravana. The tales were so dramatic!"
Dara R., mom of four children.

"Our class talked about the meanings of several traditions. None has quite the same message as Diwali."
Evan K., school volunteer

The word Diwali comes from a word that means a row of lights.