Ramadan begins tomorrow! While you’re busy preparing for that first day and the month ahead, don’t forget to get your little ones ready as well. Let them know that Ramadan is not just about fasting but a whole lot of other amazing things.
Here are eight Ramadan activities to get your kids excited about learning and getting ready for the blessed holy month. It’ll be a fun experience to get them into the Ramadan spirit and excited to fast from Day 1.
DIY Activity Book
You can buy Ramadan activity books online, but making them yourself will be much more special and unique. You should also involve your children in the process. Allow them to choose which activities to include, how many pages to have, what colours to use, and so on. From colouring activities to crafts and puzzles, there’s so much that can be put in there. Another thing you can do to help your children learn more about the Islamic holy is to include one Ramadan fact per day. By the end of the month, they’ll have learned 30 facts about the fasting month!
Ramadan Children Videos / Books
Ramadan-themed children’s videos and books are now widely available. Make sure to select videos and books with lots of colours and images that your children will enjoy watching and reading. The more appealing the content, the more interested your children will be in learning about the Islamic holy month. They may even remember more of what is shared. Whether it’s a book or a video, check the facts before giving it to your children. You wouldn’t want your kids to accidentally get the wrong impression about Ramadan.
Sadaqah Jar
Sadaqah in the modern context has come to signify ‘voluntary charity’. According to the holy Quran, the word means voluntary offering, whose amount is at the will of the ‘benefactor’.
This is the perfect Islamic month to teach your kids about being generous and making charitable donations. Let your kids enjoy creating and crafting their very own personalised sadaqah jar. They could make it from a jar, a bottle, or even a coin box. Let them choose whether to donate the money collected at the end of Ramadan or whenever they want. What matters is that your children gain rewarding experiences from their charitable efforts.
Make a Ramadan Diary
This exercise would be excellent for your older children to document their Ramadan activities. It’s the ideal way for them to keep track of their fasting days, obligatory five times daily prayer, and tarawih prayer. You can also suggest that they include information such as new things they’ve learned about Ramadan and any good deeds they’ve done or received.
Fancy Ramadan Calendar
It’ll be fun for your children to be able to countdown to Eid using a Ramadhan calendar. Instead of the usual calendar with only numbers, try something a little more creative. You could make one where they can put stars or stickers to mark each day of fasting or a calendar with pockets that have words of kindness and reward for the next 30 days.
Prepare and Eat Iftar Meals Together
You’ve probably heard the expression ‘the family that cooks together, stays together’. While you should always encourage your children to join you in the kitchen for some bonding time, this Ramadan will be extra special if your entire family spends time together preparing your iftar (the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset). Avoid food waste by cooking only the amount needed and not overspending on food. Though it may be tempting after a day of not eating, you want to set a good example for your children.
Share Food with Your Neighbours
What better way to connect with your neighbours than to share some love over good food? Ask your kids to go over to your neighbour’s house to give some food or invite them over to break fast together! You’re teaching your children the value of sharing what you have with others. Sharing iftar meals and iftar times is one of the most beautiful aspects of Ramadan, which most of us look forward to all year.
Ramadan Across the Globe
It’ll be interesting to see how people in other parts of the world celebrate this blessed month. Find images or watch videos with your kids and discuss how things are done differently or the same as we do. Your children will be fascinated by the various Ramadan traditions from around the world from the way they’re preparing suhoor (also known locally as ‘sahur‘) and iftar, as well as performing other activities of the blessed month.
Let Your Kids Enjoy Ramadan
Involving your children in Ramadan activities can be a great way to teach them about the holy month. Although it doesn’t hurt to have some fun, don’t lose sight of the purpose of this month, which is to bring you closer to God and your loved ones.
Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims from Motherhood Story!
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