Diwali, a five-day festival of lights, celebrates a number of themes, including joy, forgiveness, knowledge, the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the legend of Rama and Sita. Put simply, the festival represents the triumph of good over evil. This year Diwali is from November 12 to 16, with Amavasya (new moon day) falling on the 14.

Here are some activities that you can do together at home to celebrate.

• Making Diwali diva’s clay and painting and decorating them when dry
• Make salt dough candle holders and decorating them
• Create Diwali cards
• Firework pics/ whole hand painting or finger painting
• Firework stamping with vegetables cut in firework shapes
• Rama and Sita story (story behind why Diwali is celebrated)
• Henna painting
• Rangoli patterns with coloured pasta or rice
• Playdough with lentils and mixed beans for patterns
• Making lanterns and decorating
• Diwali display table with colourful lights
• Snack time – Indian sweets
• Singing time listen to some Diwali songs
• Making Diwali bunting
• Outdoor- chalk rangoli and firework patterns
• Coloured sand in a flat tray – making patterns with fingers