Top Pick Free Resource
Free Diwali Story Sequence Colouring Cards
Diwali · Free story cards
Share, sequence and colour the story
Explore a short retelling of Rama and Sita with seven illustrated story cards. Share the captions together, put the events in order and offer the black-and-white pictures for children who would like to colour them.
- 7 story cards
- Pictures & short captions
- Black & white
- Free Access
Available with Free Access. Open the download page and sign in or create a free account if prompted. No paid membership needed.

Take a look inside
These three watermarked previews show a card from the beginning, middle and end of the pack.
On smaller screens, scroll or swipe sideways to browse. Download the free pack for all seven cards.
What’s included?
Seven A4 landscape sheets, with one story card on each page. Each card combines a black-and-white illustration with a short printed caption. Together they form a simplified Rama and Sita retelling, ending with lamps lighting the way home.
Pictures to support retelling
Use the illustrations to revisit familiar events, talk about the characters and decide what comes next. The captions give an adult a starting point for sharing the story.
Colouring as a choice
Children can colour the pictures if they wish, or use the cards as printed for sequencing and conversation. The download page offers PDF, Word and zipped JPEG versions.
Share the story in context. This is one short retelling of Rama and Sita. Use it alongside conversation about Diwali and the experiences families choose to share.
Make time for telling and retelling
Read through the pack before sharing it, and choose how much detail to include for your group. The story includes Sita being taken away and a battle; adult explanation and time for children’s questions are helpful.
Share the story first
Look at the pictures together and read or retell the captions aloud. Pause to explain unfamiliar words and names, and invite children to notice what is happening.
Put familiar events in order
Begin with a few cards from the story children have heard. Talk about which event happened first, what followed and how the story ended. Add more cards when useful.
Retell in children’s own ways
Invite children to point, speak, gesture or act out a moment. They can choose a picture to colour or tell part of the story to a friend, using the cards as a reminder.
Do children need to read the captions independently?
No. These cards can be shared with an adult reading or retelling the text. Children can use the pictures to sequence and discuss the story. The pack is not a phonics or decodable-reading scheme.
Do we need to use all seven cards at once?
No. After sharing the story, choose a small number of familiar events to revisit. There is no need to turn the activity into a test or expect every child to retell the whole sequence.
How should I print the cards?
Print in A4 landscape orientation and check print preview to keep the whole card visible. Use one sheet per card, or your printer’s multiple-pages-per-sheet setting if you want smaller cards.
Which download format should I choose?
Choose the PDF for a ready-to-print copy, or use the Word or zipped JPEG versions to suit your needs. Check fonts and page layout before printing from Word, especially when opening the file in different software.
Is this resource free?
Yes. The pack is available with Free Access. Follow the download button and sign in or create a free account if prompted. All Access members can use it too.
Download your free Diwali story cards
Share the story, choose some cards and make room for children’s retelling.
Available with Free Access; sign in if prompted. Explore membership options.
You might also find these useful
Explore colour, add children’s pictures and words, or bring your shared learning together in a Diwali display.

Free Diwali Colouring Sheets
Free Access
Explore more Diwali imagery with 11 colouring sheets, including a diya lamp, lanterns and rangoli-style patterns.
View resource details →
Free Diwali Border Sheets & Writing Paper
Free Access
Choose blank or lined landscape pages for children to draw, mark-make or write about the story.
View resource details →
Free Happy Diwali! Banner & Borders
Free Access
Create a display for children’s story pictures with a two-part Happy Diwali banner and matching patterned borders.
View resource details →
Diwali Word Cards
All Access
Support shared story talk with illustrated vocabulary cards and blank cards for words you choose together.
View and Download Resource →Resource and preview images © Little Owls Resources.
Additional Related Resources
Large (18.5 cm square) Diwali story sequence cards to share with your children. Ideal as a group starter before using our smaller cut and sequence Diwali activity.
DOWNLOAD (DOCX) 📝
DOWNLOAD (PDF) 📄
DOWNLOAD (Zipped JPEGs) 📂
Cut and sequence ‘Diwali’ story activity. Ideally used after a group starter using our Large ‘Diwali’ story sequence cards.
DOWNLOAD (DOCX) 📝
DOWNLOAD (PDF) 📄
DOWNLOAD (Zipped JPEGs) 📂
Download this one stop 'Diwali Sweet Shop' role play pack.
Pack includes:
banner
menu with prices
blank proforma menu for children to fill in
picture cards of various sweets to be sold in the role-play shop (to ideally cut out and laminate)
sweets order form
open/closed signs
opening times poster
advert posters with descriptive vocab
DOWNLOAD (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD (PDF)
DOWNLOAD (Zipped JPEGs) 📂
