Creative Ideas to Keep Your Children Engaged and Enjoying Ramadan

It is essential for every mother to ensure that her children have enjoyable times during the day in Ramadan. Since they may have started the process of learning to fast and getting used to it, mothers constantly think of ways to make Ramadan days more fun for their children, ensuring they don’t feel the long hours of fasting. They also want their children to enjoy activities after Iftar that will help them love the holy month and look forward to it every year.

Here are some ideas that mothers can use to keep their children engaged and entertained during the day in Ramadan:

1. Engaging in Traditional Games

Take advantage of the blessed month of Ramadan to encourage your children to stay away from devices like iPads and smartphones. As you know, prolonged use of these devices can be harmful, and they take away time that could be spent on more meaningful activities. You can encourage your children to return to traditional games, such as building with blocks or playing puzzles, or even games like chess, which can stimulate their thinking skills. These games require focus and patience, and they help children develop coordination between their mind and muscles, unlike the passive use of electronic devices.

2. Preparing and Giving Out Ramadan Gifts

You can prepare daily Ramadan gift bags with your children. Include items like dates, small pieces of sweets, and coins, and then distribute them to the needy, helping your children experience the spirit of giving. You can also take them to an orphanage or a nearby mosque to give these gifts to the poor and to children in the neighborhood. Additionally, you can design greeting cards for special Ramadan occasions such as Laylat al-Qadr or Eid, and get your children involved in writing Quranic verses or Hadiths to celebrate these occasions.

3. Helping in the Preparation of Ramadan Sweets

Set aside time each day for your child, especially your daughter, to join you in the kitchen. This not only teaches them valuable life skills but also makes them feel special when they contribute something important to the family. Your child will feel joy from helping in the preparation of Ramadan sweets like qatayef (a traditional pastry), and it will help pass the time during fasting hours. This activity is also a great opportunity to teach your child about counting ingredients, organizing items, and learning basic math principles through hands-on practice in the kitchen.

4. Caring for Home Plants

Assign your children simple tasks, such as watering houseplants or taking care of pets like cats or colorful birds. This can be an excellent way to help children learn responsibility while also enjoying fun and productive activities. The act of taking care of living things during Ramadan can instill a sense of importance and pride in them, making them realize the value of responsibility at an early age.

5. Daily Riddles Related to Ramadan

Designate a time each day for a fun and educational riddle session. Choose riddles that are related to the month of Ramadan and Islam. By answering these riddles, your children will acquire important information about the month while also enjoying themselves. You can add an element of surprise by offering small prizes for correct answers. For example, you can write the question on one side of the paper and the name of the prize on the other, or you can place different prizes in a box and let your child pick one randomly.

Here are some examples of Ramadan-related riddles:

Name five of Allah’s beautiful names.
- (The answers can include: The Merciful, The Compassionate, The King...)
In which month was the Quran revealed?
- (Answer: Ramadan)
How old was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when the first revelation came?
- (Answer: 40 years old)
How old was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he passed away?
- (Answer: 63 years old)
How many chapters (Surahs) are there in the Quran?
- (Answer: 114)
Which prophet's name is mentioned the most in the Quran?
- (Answer: Prophet Musa (Moses))
Who is the friend of Allah (Khalilullah)?
- (Answer: Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham))
Who is the one Allah spoke to directly (Kalimullah)?
- (Answer: Prophet Musa (Moses))
What was the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims?
- (Answer: Al-Aqsa Mosque)
Who is the Muslim leader known as "The Sword of Allah"?
- (Answer: Khalid ibn al-Walid)

By incorporating these activities into your Ramadan routine, you’ll not only help your children pass the time joyfully and meaningfully but also foster a deeper connection with the values and traditions of the holy month.