Festivals Around the World: Free KS1 Worksheet

Why young children explore festivals

Learning about festivals is one of the first ways children begin to understand that the world is rich and varied, and that families near and far have their own traditions. For five to seven year olds, the aim is not to memorise dates or theological detail but to build a warm, respectful curiosity: noticing that some people light diyas, some decorate trees, some hang lanterns and some gather for special meals. Recognising these celebrations helps children feel that difference is normal and welcome, which sits at the heart of both early Religious Education and the EYFS focus on people and communities. Beginning with shared symbols, especially light, gives children an easy and memorable way in.

Four festivals, one shared idea: light

This worksheet introduces four widely celebrated festivals. Diwali, often called the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, who light small oil lamps called diyas. Christmas is celebrated by Christians and by many families culturally, frequently with candles and strings of lights. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are joyful Muslim celebrations marked with special meals, new clothes and decorations, including lights and lanterns. Lunar New Year, celebrated across many East and South-East Asian communities, is famous for its red lanterns. Drawing out the common theme of light helps children see connections without flattening the genuine differences between each tradition.

How to use this sheet at home or in class

Print the worksheet onto a single sheet of A4 and offer crayons or coloured pencils. Begin with the colouring: as children colour the diya, lantern, bunting and candle, talk gently about where they might have seen lights like these. Then move to the short writing task, reading each prompt aloud and letting children copy or choose words from the word bank. Keep the conversation open and accepting, and follow children's questions wherever they lead. There is no single right answer about how families celebrate, and many children will have festivals of their own to share, which makes this an ideal small-group or circle-time activity.

Building respect and vocabulary

Alongside geography and early RE, this activity supports speaking, listening and vocabulary. Words such as festival, celebrate, lantern, candle and diya may be new, and saying and writing them helps fix them in memory. Encourage children to describe what they can see and to ask about traditions that are unfamiliar. Modelling curiosity and respect, rather than treating any one celebration as the default, sets a positive tone. You might extend the work by sharing a story linked to one festival, listening to celebratory music, or inviting families to tell the class about a festival that matters to them.

Frequently asked questions