Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists around the world, with different meanings and traditions, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas at the same time. Many families light small clay lamps called diyas, decorate doorways with rangoli patterns and marigold garlands, and share sweets with friends and neighbors. It falls in October or November and is often celebrated over several days; in 2026 the main day is November 8.
Five pages of Diwali counting and patterns. Page 1 is an I Spy scene of diyas, marigolds, star lanterns and laddoo sweets, 1 to 5 of each: children count each kind and write how many. Page 2 counts up to 9 of each kind, then circles the kind there is the most of and the kind there is the fewest of. Page 3 shows diyas in ten frames: write how many diyas, then how many more make 10, as in 7 + 3 = 10. Page 4 has six repeating patterns of Diwali pictures, from AB to AABB, to finish by circling what comes next. Page 5 has six patterns of rangoli shapes with one shape missing, to find and circle. The first problem on pages 3 to 5 is a worked example.
Read each direction aloud and model the first count on the board: touch each picture, say the number and cross it off. For the ten frames, line up 10 counters or paper diyas and ask how many more fill the frame. For patterns, have children say each pattern aloud ("lamp, flower, lamp, flower") before they circle.
Count the pictures together, crossing off each one as you go. Make a pattern with things at home, such as spoons and forks or two colors of blocks, and take turns saying what comes next. If your family celebrates Diwali, count the diyas you light together.
This pack supports the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:
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Diwali counting and pattern practice with diya lamps, marigolds, star lanterns, sweets and rangoli shapes. Children count pictures in I Spy scenes, fill ten frames to make 10 and find what comes next or what is missing in repeating patterns.
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