Diwali Doorway

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why?

Work together to create a traditional decorated doorway in the spirit of Diwali, the Hindu year-end holiday.

Steps

  1. 1. Before Diwali begins in India and other countries, households prepare their homes to celebrate this Hindu year-end holiday. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom. Special foods are cooked. (Sweets are a favorite.) New clothes are bought and readied for the occasion. Homes and businesses are decorated to greet the 5-day Festival of Lights. What do you think are some of the reasons for this preparation?
  2. 2. Doorways of Hindu homes are adorned with draped, printed fabric called Toran, which may have pictures of peacocks or elephants. Many Toran have sacred symbols like Oum, which is the sound that begins and ends a prayer.
  3. 3. With a small group of your classmates, measure the upper, outside width of the doorway you wish to drape. Cut white fabric with Crayola® Scissors to fit around the top, with pieces hanging down on either side of the door. For a more finished look, ask an adult to hem all sides.
  4. 4. Research Diwali symbols, and select one or more that you wish to print on your door hanging. Cut the sides off of one or more foam produce trays. Etch designs in each tray with Crayola Colored Pencils to make printing blocks. The designs will print in reverse.
  5. 5. Cover your work area with newspaper. Lay your fabric flat on newspaper.
  6. 6. With Crayola Paint Brushes, cover a printing block with Crayola Tempera Paint. Press the printing bock down on the fabric repeatedly to fill the space, adding more paint as needed. Repeat with different colors or designs if you wish. Wash the printing block and brush each time you change color. Dry.
  7. 7. Add more embellishments to your Diwali Doorway designs with Crayola Washable Glitter Glue. Dry.
  8. 8. Yarn tassels may be hung from the fabric ends. Welcome to all who pass through this decorated entrance!

adaptations

Clean your classroom or room at home. Donate any unused items to a shelter for homeless people or other charity.

Research other ways that Hindus decorate for and celebrate Diwali. Make diwa lights or Rangoli designs. Exchange Diwali greeting cards with your Hindu friends.

benefits

Children research Diwali, an important Hindu holiday in India.

Students identify authentic graphic designs that are common symbols used during the Diwali Festival of Lights.

Students create a block-printed doorway decoration that is an expression of traditional Indian practice.

grades

Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12

subjects

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

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

Adult Assistance is required for this arts & crafts project.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Recycled Foam Produce Trays—Wash in hot, soapy water. No meat or poultry trays should be used.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

© 2000 - 2007 Crayola, LLC