A word search keeps children focused, and a quiz gets them talking. Put both together with a festival theme, and you have a perfect activity for a Diwali party, a classroom celebration, a long car ride to relatives, or a quiet evening before the lamps are lit. This two-page printable includes a word search with fourteen Diwali words, a ten-question quiz, and answer keys so adults can check the results.
Page One: The Word Search
A mango leaf and marigold toran runs across the top of the page. Under it, Diwali Word Search is written in big magenta Baloo 2 letters, with a short instruction: find the 14 festival words, which run across, down, and diagonally. The grid is 13 by 13 letters in large, friendly type, inside clean pink lined squares. Below the grid, the fourteen words are listed in two columns, each with a small checkbox to tick when found.
The hidden words are DIWALI, DIYA, RANGOLI, LAKSHMI, MARIGOLD, LANTERN, SWEETS, LIGHTS, FAMILY, PUJA, KANDIL, LADDOO, DHANTERAS and SPARKLER. Every word reads forwards, which keeps the puzzle fair for younger children, and words run in three directions so older children are still challenged.
Page Two: The Diwali Quiz
The quiz page has a magenta header with a brass diya, the title Diwali Quiz, and the instruction: circle the right answer. Ten numbered questions follow, each with three options to circle. They cover the meaning of the festival, its symbols, its stories, and related days:
- What Diwali is known as the festival of.
- What a diya is.
- What coloured doorstep patterns are called.
- Which goddess is worshipped on Diwali night.
- On which day families buy gold or new pots.
- Which flower is used in Diwali garlands.
- Whose return Diwali celebrates in the Ramayana.
- Which bond Bhai Dooj celebrates.
- What Sikhs mark on the same day.
- Which months Diwali usually falls in.
Answer Keys for Grown Ups
At the bottom of page two, a small section headed ANSWER KEYS FOR GROWN UPS gives the quiz answers in one line, and a miniature copy of the word search grid with every hidden word shaded in pink. Fold the bottom of the page under or cover it with a sticky note if children might peek. Teachers can cut the answer strip off before handing out copies.
Running the Activity at a Party or in Class
| Setting | How to use it | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ Diwali party | Race to find all words; first to finish gets a sweet | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Classroom festival day | Word search individually, quiz in pairs, then discuss answers | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Family evening | Grandparents read the quiz aloud and tell the stories behind the answers | 20 minutes |
| Temple or community kids’ corner | Hand out copies with crayons while adults attend the programme | As long as needed |
| Travel to relatives | Print on a clipboard sheet for the car or train | A good half hour |
Customising the Word Search
The grid is the editor’s Table object, with one letter in each cell. Double-click it or choose Edit Table Data to change letters. If you want different words, plan them on paper first: write the new words into the grid along rows, columns or diagonals, then fill the remaining squares with random letters. Update the word list below and the shaded answer grid on page two to match, by changing the shaded cells’ background colour in the small table. It takes some care, so for most users the ready-made puzzle is the easiest option.
Customising the Quiz
Each question and each option is a separate text box, so you can rewrite any of them. Adapt questions to your audience: for younger children, use more picture-based questions about diyas and sweets; for older children, ask about regional names of the festival or the five days of Diwali. Remember to update the answer line at the bottom when you change a question or the order of options.
Learning Through the Answers
The quiz is a starting point for conversation. After children answer, share a little more:
- Diwali celebrates the return of Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years, and people lit lamps to welcome him home.
- Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is considered lucky for buying gold, silver, and new utensils.
- Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment.
- Bhai Dooj, a couple of days after Diwali, celebrates brothers and sisters.
In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, and Dhanteras on Friday, November 6.
Printing the Two-Page Activity Set
Download both pages as a PDF and print double-sided on US Letter paper, so each child has one sheet with the word search on the front and the quiz on the back. If you plan to cut off the answer keys, print single-sided instead. The pages are light coloured with pink and magenta accents, so they print well on home printers; grayscale printing also works, though the shaded answer grid will appear grey.
Word Search and Quiz Questions
Are all the words spelled in English?
Yes, using common English spellings of Indian words, such as DIYA, KANDIL, and LADDOO.
Can I enlarge the grid for younger children?
Print page one at a larger paper size, or reduce the word list and recreate a smaller grid with bigger letters.
Can I use only one page?
Yes. Choose the page range when printing, or delete the page you do not need in the editor.
Making the Puzzle Easier or Harder
Every group of children is different. For younger children, read the word list aloud first, point out that all words are read forwards, and let them work in pairs. For older children, cover the word list and tell them only that there are fourteen festival words, or set a five-minute timer. You can also ask children to write one sentence using three of the words they found, which turns the puzzle into a short writing exercise.
Play, Learn and Celebrate
Print a set for every child at your celebration and keep a few extras for latecomers. A good puzzle and a few stories about the festival make Diwali memorable for the youngest guests.
