


The festival of lights is right around the corner! How excited are you? Well, you should be because it’s more than just a celebration.
If you have Diwali competition ideas for students, this can be an opportunity to explore creativity, build team spirit, and inspire cultural learning. The school campus can be a hub of colour, laughter, and imagination during this festive season!
So, if you want to make the celebration meaningful, engaging, and memorable, you can utilise 10 Diwali competition ideas for students in school. These activities will be both fun and educational!
Get ready to discover the 10 best Diwali activities for students and competition ideas!
Rangoli competition ideas can be an excellent Diwali tradition because the Rangoli-Making Challenge will take the celebration to a new level of creativity! However, there can be a twist to this quintessential tradition.
Students can be encouraged to experiment with unusual or recycled materials such as bottle caps, coloured rice, leaves, and fabric scraps. Younger students can focus on simple patterns, while older students can design intricate or theme-based rangolis.
This competition is a fantastic example of fun Diwali activities that blend cultural heritage with sustainability and creativity.
Lighting diyas is extremely central to Diwali, but this competition also adds a hands-on twist.
In the Build-Your-Own Lantern or Diya challenge, younger students can use paper, clay, or craft materials to design their own lamps. However, older students must integrate technology such as LED lights or solar-powered circuits.
This activity is actually quite effective in teaching the students problem-solving, innovation, and creativity. Thus, it’s considered one of the most engaging Diwali activities for students that combines tradition and modern learning.
Also Read: Best Diwali Activities for Students: Celebrate with Fun and Learning
Setting aside all the fun, children must understand the importance of a safe and eco-friendly Diwali. Hence, the No Crackers Campaign can be one of the best Diwali competition ideas for students.
It encourages students to create posters, slogans, and short awareness videos that will highlight pollution-free Diwali practices. Students must convey the emphasis on clean air, safe celebrations, and environmental responsibility with their work.
This competition will significantly reinforce civic awareness and also allow the children to express their artistic and creative skills.
Skits can be quite boring if they convey the same old story, but a reimagined Diwali skit can be one of the most memorable and fun Diwali activities in school. This competition will allow the students to explore mythology through a modern lens.
For example, they could portray Rama’s return to Ayodhya in a contemporary city setting or demonstrate how Diwali values like courage, truth, and kindness apply in today’s world. Younger students can perform simple skits with props, while older students can add elements of humour, satire, or social commentary.
This activity will promote teamwork, public speaking, and storytelling.
Also Read: Best Christmas Activities for Kids: Fun & Festive Ideas
Diwali is incomplete without sweets, and the Great Diwali Bake-Off can bring culinary creativity into the classroom!
Young students can prepare simple, no-bake treats such as coconut ladoos, date rolls, or dry fruit balls. On the other hand, older students can try more intricate recipes. Their recipes must be judged on the basis of presentation, flavour, and creativity.
This competition is both fun and practical because learning to cook is a life skill, and you can practice that under the festive umbrella of Diwali activities for students.
Whose classroom looks the best during Diwali? This competition will invite students to transform their spaces into festive wonderlands.
Teams can use handmade lanterns, garlands, and other eco-friendly decorations to design their corners, sections, or classrooms. They will learn collaboration, creativity, and leadership skills in the meantime.
The final displays will not only brighten up the school but also instil pride and a sense of community. Hence, it’s quite an engaging Diwali celebration idea for school.
Also Read: 15 Green Diwali Ideas For Celebrating An Eco-Friendly Diwali
The “Diwali At Home” Competition allows students to showcase their personal celebrations with the help of short videos or photo stories. They can share family traditions, DIY decorations, or unique rituals that make their Diwali special.
This activity will be like a virtual Diwali celebration, which will be shared with their school friends. The best and most unique video will grab the first prize!
It will be a great opportunity to showcase their skills of creativity and storytelling while also exploring the art of cinematography. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to engage all students in fun Diwali activities, even beyond the classroom.
Diwali is about light in every sense. It’s not just lamps, but also about inspiration, hope, and gratitude. In the “Light in Your Life” Journal Challenge, students will be asked to write or illustrate about someone or something that brings positivity into their lives.
Younger students can create colourful drawings, while older students can write reflective essays or poems. Let their imagination run wild with who or what they consider to be lighting up their lives. It could be a human, an animal, or even a hobby.
Such Diwali activity ideas actually teach emotional intelligence, introspection, and self-expression.
Also Read: 15 Ways to Celebrate A Green, Eco-Friendly Christmas
A classic Diwali-themed quiz can never go wrong! It combines knowledge, competition, and festive fun; hence, it’s one of the most engaging Diwali competition ideas for students in school.
Students can answer questions about mythology, Diwali traditions, regional customs, and scientific aspects of the festival. Teams can participate in rapid-fire rounds, picture challenges, or puzzle-solving activities.
This quiz can also be adapted for virtual Diwali celebrations. This will allow online learners to participate with the help of platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, or Google Forms. Thus, this is an interactive and educational way to celebrate Diwali.
The Props & Shadow Art Storytelling competition can be very unique and exciting for the students. It combines creativity, drama, and imagination. Students will need to use flashlights, cutouts, and props to narrate Diwali stories by making shadows.
Younger children can focus on simple narratives, while older students can develop complex and synchronised performances. It will help in their artistic expression, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Also, undoubtedly, it’s a standout among fun Diwali activities for school students.
Also Read: Republic Day Activities: Fun Ideas for Students & Kids
Thus, with these Diwali competition ideas for students, teachers can design celebrations that are vibrant, educational, and meaningful.
The students understand that their school is not just a place for bookish knowledge but also a second home. It is where they can explore their potential, express their creativity, and experience their culture.
Moreover, these Diwali competition ideas for students in school ensure that every student feels included, inspired, and part of the festival’s magic.
Explore how JBM Global School celebrates culture with education! Here, every festival becomes a lesson in light, values, and inspiration. If you want an education where your child receives education beyond the books, choose JBM Global today!
Also Read: Holi Fun Activities for Students: Creative Art Ideas and Games
Ans: Schools can match difficulty levels with age. Younger students can participate in rangoli, diya decoration, or journal activities, while older students can take part in skits, tech-based projects, and bake-offs.
Ans: Yes, of course! Activities like e-journals, “Diwali at Home” videos, online quizzes, and digital art projects can be organised for students who would prefer staying at home during the festival or even for those who are remote learners.
Ans: Schools must ensure that all students feel included. This can be done by encouraging group participation, providing equal access to materials, and recognising effort and creativity alongside skill.
Ans: Yes, obviously! Students must be encouraged to use recycled or biodegradable materials for crafts, promote awareness through the No Crackers Campaign, and encourage sustainable practices in classroom decoration or rangoli.
Ans: Students can be awarded with certificates, creative hampers, art supplies, or medals. They will also feel validated and appreciated if their work is displayed in school exhibitions or on social media. This can motivate further participation and also celebrate talent in the process.