Tickets
Museum Hours
Thu: 1 PM–8 PM
Fri–Mon: 10 AM–5 PM
Tue–Wed: Closed
Location
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.581.3500
Become a Member Plan Your Visit Shop
Tickets
Activity

Make a Salt-Dough Diya Lamp

Make your own salt-dough diya lamps for Diwali to bring light into your home.

View Gallery
16 Photos
Click through the gallery to see steps.
1
16
Find a good working space where you can make a bit of a mess. Gather your materials.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt.
Gradually add water while stirring flour and salt mixture until it is fully combined and smooth.
Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and knead it for 5 minutes.
Let rest for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Split your dough into 3-4 sections.
Place on parchment paper or silicone baking mat on a baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, until dry and hard. Allow to cool completely.
Paint your diyas.
Let them completely dry. 
Try painting designs onto your diyas using a fine detail paintbrush.
You can use flameless candles to light your diyas.
Light your candles and place at windowsills or entryways to bring light into your home.
Happy Diwali!
Find a good working space where you can make a bit of a mess. Gather your materials.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt.
Gradually add water while stirring flour and salt mixture until it is fully combined and smooth.
Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and knead it for 5 minutes.
Let rest for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Split your dough into 3-4 sections.
Place on parchment paper or silicone baking mat on a baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, until dry and hard. Allow to cool completely.
Paint your diyas.
Let them completely dry. 
Try painting designs onto your diyas using a fine detail paintbrush.
You can use flameless candles to light your diyas.
Light your candles and place at windowsills or entryways to bring light into your home.
Happy Diwali!

During Diwali, or Festival of Lights, thousands of clay lights called dipas or diyas are made and lit to bring light during the darkest night of the year. Diwali signifies the celebration of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Make your own salt-dough diya lamps to place on windowsills and entryways to bring light into your home.

Materials

Salt Dough 

  • 1 cup plain flour* 
  • ½ cup table salt 
  • ½ cup water 
  • Measuring cup 
  • Medium mixing bowl 
  • Whisk or spoon 
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat 
  • Baking tray 

Decorations 

  • Acrylic or nontoxic paint 
  • Paintbrushes 
  • Water 
  • Bowl or cup for water 
  • Plate or palette 
  • Cloth rag or paper towels
  • Tea light or flameless candle 

Optional Decorations 

  • Glue 
  • Glitter 
  • Sequins 

Directions

  1. Find a good working space where you can make a bit of a mess. Gather your materials. 
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour and salt. 
  3. Gradually add water while stirring flour and salt mixture until it is fully combined and smooth. 
  4. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and knead it for 5 minutes and let rest for 15 minutes. 
  5. Tip: add a little flour if the dough is too sticky or a few drops of water if it is too dry. 
  6. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Split your dough into 3–4 sections.
  7. Shape the dough into your diya lamps, leaving a space for your candle. 
  8. Place on parchment paper or silicone baking mat on a baking sheet. 
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, until dry and hard. Allow to cool completely. 
  10. Optional: you can let your diyas air dry for a couple of days instead of baking them in an oven. 
  11. Paint your diyas. Let them completely dry.  
  12. Try painting designs onto your diyas using a fine detail paintbrush. 
  13. Optional: add sparkle by gluing glitter and sequins to your diyas. 
  14. Light your candle and place at windowsills or entryways to bring light into your home. 

*Note: Do not use self-rising flour—it will cause the diyas to bubble or rise while baking. 

Related Resources

Activity

Design Your Personal Cloak

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Ancient China: Design Your Own Bronze Vessel

If you were to design a bronze vessel for a friend who has done something important for you, what shape would you make it? How would you decorate it? Would you use designs like the ones on the bronze vessels in the museum? What would you inscribe on it?

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-600x450.png 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-1200x900.png 2x

Activity

Mapping Your Special Space

Personal Space (2001), a layered, dreamlike painting by Kolkata-based artist Jayashree Chakravarty, is an imaginary map built up from painted strips of paper. In this activity, create your own map based on your special place.

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/07/Jayashree_Chakravarty_01-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/07/Jayashree_Chakravarty_01-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Growing Sabze, a Symbol of Rebirth

GRADE LEVEL: Pre-Kindergarten, Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Lunar New Year Red Envelopes

GRADE LEVEL: Pre-Kindergarten, Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Why the Moon Wanes: Moon Journals

In this activity, observe the different moon phases, learn about the lunar calendar, and research some Hindu traditions and celebrations.

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5)
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/04/Ganesha-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/04/Ganesha.jpg 2x

Activity

Make a Salt-Dough Diya Lamp

GRADE LEVEL: Pre-Kindergarten, Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond