If you have young children under the age of five at home, you might be wondering how to make this Ramadan meaningful for them and help them understand the essence of the month. In this article, you will find fun Ramadan activities that you can do with your little ones to make them feel that this month is different from others. Creating joy during Ramadan with children isn’t just about doing one small thing; it’s about a series of little moments you share together, as experts and specialists advise.
We all remember our childhood with fond memories of how we spent Ramadan when we were young, particularly that beautiful feeling of sitting with the whole family at the Iftar table. It was always enjoyable to break fast with siblings and parents, especially for those lucky enough to spend their growing years surrounded by cousins and grandparents. That was true joy.
Relive Your Beautiful Memories
Share your childhood memories: Tell your children about how you celebrated your childhood Ramadan, and share what you spent it on. Everyone loves hearing stories about their parents' childhoods. You can teach them about the spirit of Ramadan by sharing how you celebrated it as a child. No matter what gift you plan to give them, make sure to surprise them in a meaningful way. You can also instill a sense of gratitude and sharing by teaching them about charity during Ramadan. It’s also the perfect time to donate old toys.
Get Them Excited with a Countdown Calendar
Use a fun Ramadan countdown calendar: Young children may not fully understand what Ramadan is, but you can involve older children in a fun countdown calendar. Let your child count on their fingers and toes, and make a handprint calendar that you can use to count down the days until Eid al-Fitr. This will help them get excited for the special days ahead and understand the concept of Ramadan.
Get Them Involved in Preparing for Iftar
Let them participate in preparing Iftar: Allow your kids to help cut fruit with their dads before Iftar, and let them remember the fun of slicing watermelon. You can also let them serve dates at the Iftar table for everyone. These activities make children feel valued and part of the celebration, helping to curb their temper tantrums that often happen during mealtimes.
Use Stickers for Fun Learning
Engage them with Ramadan-themed stickers: If your kids love stickers, try printing Ramadan-themed stickers. These small stickers are a great way to mark their belongings, which often get scattered and lost. Choose sticker designs and colors that attract their attention. Focus on a specific theme for each day to make learning about Ramadan fun.
Craft Time and Activities
Create a list of fun crafts: You’ll need activities to keep them busy while you cook or fast. Prepare a list of enjoyable crafts and printable games for them to do while you're occupied. You can also teach them how to make simple greeting cards. Even if the crafts are small, remind your children that their greetings will reach their intended recipients no matter how tiny they are.
Let Them Play Freely
Encourage free playtime: Always set aside an hour or two for free play. While structured play can be beneficial, transitioning from one planned activity to another can be boring and stressful for your children. Let them enjoy their toys and even give them play dough or clay for sensory play.
Give Them Small Tasks and Responsibilities
Assign tasks to make them feel important: One great way to keep your kids from getting into trouble is to give them small responsibilities, making them feel like they’re growing up. Here’s a list of tasks that young children can help with during Ramadan:
- Arrange dates on a plate or remove their seeds if they can.
- Set the table, bring cups or water pitchers.
- Prepare simple refreshing drinks like berry juice, lemon juice, or orange powder.
- Cut fruit or remove its seeds (if they’re old enough to safely use a knife).
- Help prepare simple foods like fruit salads, jelly, or pre-made sweets.
- Fold samosas or spring rolls.
- Peel vegetables or boil potatoes.
- Help with pizza topping or even pizza dough if they’re old enough to do so.
Host a Ramadan Party or Picnic
Host a fun Ramadan celebration: Ramadan often brings larger quantities of food, providing more opportunities to host parties or share with neighbors. Involve your kids in the planning by asking for their input on the menu or who they’d like to invite. You can even take them outside to enjoy Iftar, like a picnic at the beach—it’s a wonderful way to relax together.
Teach Them About Giving and Gratitude
Instill the spirit of charity and gratitude: If you can, buy some toys or clothes to donate, as this is one of the best examples you can show your children. Even if you can’t afford new toys, you can help your child wrap up their old toys they no longer use and donate them to local organizations. Teaching children not to waste or hoard is an important lesson in Ramadan. We always try to donate one toy for every new one they receive, which helps reduce clutter.
Be a Role Model for Your Kids
Be their role model: Show your children how to embrace the spirit of Ramadan by setting aside time for prayer and reading the Quran. Raising children with good morals has more to do with being a good example than with teaching them what to do. The best way to create joy during Ramadan is by spending quality family time. Learn as a family, play as a family, and eat together as a family. Turn off the internet as much as possible, and remember that, in the beginning, spending time with them can feel overwhelming when they’re constantly calling “Mommy, mommy.” But, in the end, they’ll leave you to your work when they realize that they have important tasks assigned to them.
By engaging your little ones in these fun and meaningful activities, you can help them appreciate the true essence of Ramadan, making it a special time for both you and them.
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