Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Vaisakhi Harvest Trail: Free Printable Quiz for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Vaisakhi Harvest Trail is a free printable quiz for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children match clues to key words, then pick the right gate for each question. The sheet looks at Sikh words, symbols and the Vaisakhi harvest festival. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children follow a trail towards a harvest field. First they match clues to key words by drawing lines. Then they choose between three gates for each question and circle one. The questions ask who sits together to eat in langar, what the kara can help Sikhs remember, and what farmers in Punjab gather around Vaisakhi. A grown-up reads the clues aloud where needed.
- Who sits together to eat in langar?
- A circle has no end. What can the kara help Sikhs remember?
- What do farmers in Punjab gather around Vaisakhi?
About Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is an important festival for Sikhs. It falls in spring, usually in April. Many Sikh families visit the gurdwara, which is the Sikh place of worship, and some join processions in the streets. Vaisakhi is also linked to the farming year in Punjab, a region in South Asia, where it is a time of thanks for the season's work. For Sikhs it also marks the founding of the Khalsa.
In Key Stage 1 RE, children learn about religions by meeting key words, symbols and stories, and by talking about what matters to people. Words like langar and kara may be new, so saying them aloud helps. A quiz works well because children recall simple facts first, then talk about them. Treat every belief with respect. Invite any Sikh child to share what they know, only if they wish.
Fun facts about Vaisakhi and Sikh life
- Sikhs worship in a building called a gurdwara.
- Vaisakhi is celebrated in spring, usually in April.
- Punjab is a region in South Asia, and many British Sikh families have roots there.
- The Sikh holy book is called the Guru Granth Sahib.
- A kara is worn on the wrist.
Skills and curriculum link
- Matching key words
- Recalling facts
- Choosing answers
- Listening to clues
- Using RE vocabulary
Ideas to talk about before and after
- Special objectsMany people wear or keep objects that carry a meaning. Ask your child about an object at home that reminds them of someone or something.
- New wordsSay each new word slowly, then let your child say it back. Clap the syllables. Hearing a word several times helps it stick.
- Seasons and festivalsMany festivals happen at a particular time of year. Talk about what changes in spring, such as weather, plants and daylight.
- Sharing with othersPeople in many communities share meals and take turns to help. Ask your child when they have shared food or jobs with others.
Key words
- VaisakhiA spring festival celebrated by Sikhs and linked to the farming year in Punjab.
- SikhA person who follows Sikhism, a religion that began in Punjab.
- GurdwaraThe Sikh place of worship.
- LangarA meal shared in a gurdwara.
- KaraA steel bracelet worn by many Sikhs.
- PunjabA region in South Asia. Many Sikh families have roots there.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the clues aloud together. Say the words kara and langar slowly so they are familiar.
- Let your child draw lines for the matching, then circle one gate for each question.
- Check against page 2. Ask, "What made you choose that gate?" Talk about any wrong answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read each option aloud, slowly. Talk about the words kara and langar before starting. Do the matching first, one line at a time, then come back to the gates. Say each clue out loud and let your child point to the answer.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to draw the harvest field they unlocked and write one sentence about it. Confident writers can add a second sentence using a word from the sheet, such as gurdwara or Punjab.
Make it a game
Walk a trail round the room with paper gates on the floor. Each correct answer lets a child take a step towards the field. Play as a team, and cheer when everyone reaches the field.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child circles the first gate without reading the others.
Try thisRead all three options aloud before anyone circles. Ask which one fits the clue best and why.
Watch forA matching line goes to the wrong word because the child is rushing.
Try thisSlow down. Say the clue, say the word, then draw one line at a time.
Watch forA child stops because a word is new.
Try thisSay the word together and look at the rest of the question for clues. A good guess is a fine place to start.
Talk about it
- Which word on the sheet was new to you?
- What do you think a trail is for?
- Why might people share a meal together?
- Can you think of a special object that means something to you?
- What happens in spring that you can see outside?
- What would you like to ask someone who celebrates Vaisakhi?
Take it off the page
Draw a harvest field
Draw a field with a gate at the front. Label it with words from the sheet and add the sun, sky and a path.
Gate puzzle
Make three paper gates. Write one clue on each. Hide a small treat or sticker behind the right one for a sibling to find.
Word wall
Write each vocabulary word on a card. Stick them up at home or in class. Read them aloud each day for a week.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. You do not need to know much about Sikhism. Read the clues together and look things up afterwards if your child is curious.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or plenary in an RE lesson on Vaisakhi or Sikh symbols. It also works as an early finisher task or supply cover. The support and stretch ideas on page 2 help with mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with a library book about Sikh festivals or a visit to a local community event if you can. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a quick recap a few weeks later.
Where this fits in RE
Before this sheet, children in Key Stage 1 meet simple ideas about belief, special places and celebrations. They learn that people in their own community may follow different faiths and traditions.
After it, children can compare Vaisakhi with other festivals they know. They can ask more detailed questions about symbols and customs. RE in England follows a locally agreed syllabus, so check what your school covers next.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Vaisakhi Harvest Trail for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can try it with a grown-up reading aloud. Older children can use it as a quick recap of key Sikh words and symbols.
- What will children practise?
Children practise matching and recalling simple facts about Sikh words, symbols and the Vaisakhi harvest festival in religious education. They also practise listening to clues and choosing between three answers.
- How do I use it?
Read the clues aloud together. Children draw lines for the matching, then circle one gate for each question. Work through it together the first time, then check against the notes and answers on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Read each option aloud and talk about the words kara and langar first. Do the matching before the gates, and take a break if needed. Page 2 has help ideas for children who find it hard.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a later recap.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children only need a pencil to draw the lines and circle the gates. Coloured pencils are a nice extra for the harvest field drawing.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.