Diwali for kids
Rows of lamps, rangoli at the door, sweets to share and five days of stories. Find out what Diwali means, how different families remember it and how to celebrate safely. In 2026 the main day is Sunday 8 November.
What is Diwali?
Diwali, also called Deepavali, means “row of lights”. It is kept by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, and some Buddhists mark the days too. Many families think of it as light winning over darkness. It falls around the new-moon night of the lunar month, so the date moves from year to year. In 2026 the main day, Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday 8 November.
Homes are cleaned, doorways get rangoli and toran, and lamps called diyas are lit at dusk.
The five days of Diwali
Day 1: Dhanteras (Friday 6 November). Homes are cleaned and lamps are lit, and many families buy something new, often shiny. Our Dhanteras page tells it through the churning of the ocean, when Dhanvantari rose holding the pot of amrit.
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Saturday 7 November). Sometimes called Chhoti Diwali. Many families wake early, bathe and put on clean clothes. In the south many remember Krishna and Satyabhama defeating Narakasura. Read it on our Naraka Chaturdashi page.
Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Sunday 8 November). The main day for most families. In the evening many pray to Goddess Lakshmi and light rows of lamps. See the Lakshmi Puja page.
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (Tuesday 10 November in most of India). Also called Annakut, meaning a mountain of food, and Balipratipada in some places. Many families remember young Krishna lifting Govardhan hill, and share a big meal. Read the Govardhan Puja page.
Day 5: Bhai Dooj (Wednesday 11 November in most of India). Sisters put a tilak on their brothers and wish them well, and brothers give gifts. Find it on the Bhai Dooj page.
Some places and countries list days 4 and 5 a day earlier, because the lunar day is counted at different times depending on the festival and the place. Please check the dates for your own city.
Many stories, one festival
In the north many families remember Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years in the forest.
In the south many families remember Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. In Tamil Nadu, Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of Deepavali, and in Karnataka the main celebration is on Bali Padyami.
In the east, in Bengal, many families worship Goddess Kali at this time.
Jain families remember Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, and his liberation. The lamps stand for the light of his knowledge.
Sikh families keep Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering Guru Hargobind’s release from Gwalior Fort and his arrival in Amritsar, where the Golden Temple is lit with lamps.
These are short summaries, and each community has its own way of telling them.
Celebrate safely
Diyas. Let a grown-up light them. Stand them on a steady tray, away from curtains, paper decorations and dry flowers. Tie back long hair, dupattas and loose sleeves near a flame. Never leave a lit lamp alone, keep a bucket of water or sand close, and put every lamp out before bedtime.
Firecrackers. Only grown-ups should light them, outdoors, with children standing well back. Never pick up one that has not gone off. Sparklers burn very hot, so a grown-up should handle them, and they are not for young children. Loud noise can upset babies and pets.
Air and neighbours. Fireworks make smoke, and some cities have rules about which kinds are allowed and when. Some families light only lamps, some use fewer fireworks, and some follow local rules. If anyone at home has asthma or trouble breathing, a grown-up may want to keep windows closed and check with their doctor.
Sweets. Many Diwali sweets contain nuts, milk, ghee or wheat. Ask about allergies before sharing, label homemade sweets, and do not give whole nuts to small children.
Do it together on Rangooo
Send a greeting with the Diwali card maker. Print or colour each day’s story in the Diwali colouring pages. Cook with a grown-up in Dadi’s Rasoi, design a pattern in the Rangoli Studio, try easy rangoli designs for kids, make lamps and decorations from our Diwali crafts for kids, see other dates on the festival calendar, or try the festival quiz.
Questions to talk about
- Why do you think people choose light to say “welcome”?
- Which Diwali story is told in your family or your friends’ families?
Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
The main day, Lakshmi Puja, is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November and Naraka Chaturdashi on Saturday 7 November. Govardhan Puja is on Tuesday 10 November and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November in most of India, but some places and countries list them a day earlier, so check the dates for your own city.
Why do people light diyas at Diwali?
Light is a sign of hope and goodness. In the north many families remember lamps lit to welcome Rama home to Ayodhya, and many families light lamps to welcome Lakshmi. Jain and Sikh families have their own reasons, described above.
Do all families celebrate Diwali for the same reason?
No. Hindu families in different regions remember different stories, Jain families remember Mahavira, and Sikh families remember Bandi Chhor Divas and Guru Hargobind. Many families keep more than one of these stories in mind.
Do we need fireworks to celebrate Diwali?
No. Many families celebrate with diyas, rangoli, sweets, cards and time together. If your family does use fireworks, only grown-ups should light them, and local rules may apply.
This is a short, friendly overview. Diwali is celebrated in many ways in different families and regions, and we are not the authority on any one community’s practice. Dates checked 1 November 2026 against Office Holidays, Drik Panchang (its listings depend on the place) and Hindutone. Stories and observances are summarised from Britannica and Wikipedia. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it.