Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic, or Hijri, calendar. Ramadan for kids and adults is the month of mercy wherein Muslims are commanded to fast from sunrise to sunset. It is the blessed period in which the holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (S). And it is a time in which Shaytan is locked up and unable to influence us and our deeds directly while the rewards for our good deeds are multiplied!

The Prophet Muhammad (S) is reported to have said:

When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari)

As Muslims, we look forward to and plan for this month in many ways, from setting aside more time for worship to meal prepping for iftar (the meal to break the fast). However, we often neglect one important thing: planning a memorable Ramadan for kids. 

As the youngest members and future of the Muslim ummah, it is a worthy investment to make Ramadan exciting and memorable for our children. Their understanding and appreciation of Ramadan as children are likely to influence how they experience and spend their Ramadans in the future as adults. 

What are some ways we can make Ramadan memorable for our kids? 

 

A Brief Description of What Is Ramadan for Kids

 

Before delving into a plan for little ones during the Holy Month, it is critical that we explain what is Ramadan for kids. Teaching our children about the significance of the month of Ramadan should always begin with the words of Allah (SWT) and the Prophet Muhammad (S). 

Let’s take a look at the discussion of the Month of Ramadan in the Qur’an and find the important ideas to share with kids. 

 

1. The Qur’an, the greatest miracle of Islam and the source of guidance, was revealed in this blessed month! 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. [Qur’an, 2:185]

 

       2. And the specific night on which the Qur’an was revealed—which is one of the last ten nights of Ramadan—is so blessed that it is greater than a thousand months. That’s an entire lifetime! In this way, Allah makes clear to us how special the month of Ramadan and the Qur’an really are.  

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. [Qur’an, 97:1-5]

 

       3. Fasting is something Allah has commanded, not just for Muslims but for previous communities as well. It is an important way for us to practice self-restraint and become more aware of Allah. 

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. [Qur’an, 2:183]

 

       4. Fasting is trying, but it isn’t supposed to be harmful. Allah does not want us to hurt our bodies. Rather, He wants us to learn to see His signs in creation and control ourselves so that we can better worship Him!

ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ 

So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful. [Qur’an, 2:185]

 

       5. Fasting is from dawn until sunset, the times we pray fajr and maghrib. 

وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until sunset. [Qur’an, 2:187]

Another way to introduce Ramadan for kids is to read storybooks related to the month. In our article about Ramadan books for kids, we share details about exciting Noor Kids books about Ramadan and the Ramadan camp that takes place during the month.  

The Digital Ramadan Camp takes place every day during the holy month. With exciting topics, engaging storytime with Noor Kids books, special guests, and interactive activities, the Ramadan camp is an excellent way to make the Holy Month memorable for your children. The camp helps create a strong base of understanding, loving, and anticipating the month of Ramadan each year!

You can listen to classes from the Ramadan camp anytime, anywhere by clicking here. 

 

 

Fun Ramadan Activities for Kids

 

One of the best ways we can make Ramadan memorable for our children is to involve them in learning Ramadan activities for kids. These facts about Ramadan for kids can then be further used in fun activities and applied in the day-to-day routines once the holy month arrives. 

Below is a list of facts about Ramadan for kids with related fun activities and day-to-day routines you can partake in as a family:

 

1. Muslims are commanded to fast from sunrise rise to sunset each day of the month. 

Ramadan, explained simply, is about fasting from sunrise to sunset. We wake up before fajr to eat our morning meal, suhoor, and refrain from eating and drinking anything until maghrib prayer at sunset, when we have iftar. 

          a. ACTIVITY: Involve your children in preparing suhoor and iftar. 

Iftar preparation can become a chore for some families. Mom spends all her time in the kitchen while the children sit and wait for the time to break their fast, usually in boredom and hunger. 

To pass the time for kids and lighten the load on moms and give them more time for ibadah (worship), children can come into the kitchen and help prepare iftar with their parents. Doing so encourages a time for bonding as the time for iftar draws near, and makes children play an active role in preparing their favorite meals. 

 

       2. Ramadan is the month the Holy Qur’an was revealed.

Of the last ten nights of Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power. Though none other than Allah (SWT) knows the exact night it falls upon, we know it is the very special night on which angel Jibreel first revealed the holy Qur’an to our beloved Prophet (S), marking the beginning of his prophethood. 

          a. HABIT: Reciting the Qur’an 

We can make reading and reciting the Holy Qur’an a daily habit for our children during Ramadan. While this does not need a dedicated activity, we can make this into quality family time by reciting the Qur’an and learning its translation and commentary together. 

An online tool you and your family can use to read and learn the Qur’an, quran.com, has the entire text of the holy Qur’an in different Arabic texts, translations in different languages, and with recitations of many different Imams. 

 

       3. Shaytan is locked up and unable to directly influence our deeds. 

Although most people focus on the refraining from food and drink aspect of Ramadan, it is important to bear in mind that Muslims are commanded to refrain from other sins as well. We must focus only on doing good deeds and building good habits. 

Allah (SWT) makes it easier for us to focus on good deeds during this month because Shaytan is locked up and thus unable to directly influence our deeds. 

However, the habits Shaytan may have instilled in us by whispering in our ears all year often still carry into Ramadan. This is why we need to be vigilant in breaking old bad habits and in forming good new ones. 

          a. ACTIVITY: Habit Tracker 

As a tool to help your child learn about what is Ramadan for kids and the idea of improving themselves spiritually, you can use the Noor Kids habit tracker activity to help them fight Shaytan, change bad habits, and form good ones on a daily basis this Ramadan. 

 

      4. The rewards for our good deeds are multiplied. 

On regular days throughout the year, we gain one or more rewards for every good deed by the will of Allah (SWT). In Ramadan, however, our reward for every good deed is multiplied tenfold. This is an excellent motivator for us to do more good deeds, and, in turn, build good habits for us to carry with us after the Holy Month ends. 

          a. ACTIVITY: Daily Deeds Chart

You and your children can track the major good deeds they do each day with a daily deeds chart. A daily deeds chart would be mapped out by the days of the week and list the kinds of deeds you’d like to encourage your children to do. 

Some examples of deeds to encourage our children to do include praying each Salah daily, reading the Qur’an, gaining knowledge, helping our parents around the house, giving in charity, performing supererogatory prayers, and anything else of importance to you! 

 

Ramadan Activities for Students

Over the years, Noor Kids has compiled many exciting Ramadan activities for students and families. Below are some of our most popular and engaging activities that you and your children can use to make this Ramadan all the more memorable:

• Get Kids Excited With This Fasting Fun Punch Ramadan Activity
• 10 Healthy Ramadan Meals in a Mason Jar
• Earn Blessings with this Color-me-in Ramadan Kids Calendar
• Fun Last 10 Days of Ramadan Moon Banner Craft

 

The Noor Kids Crafters series on YouTube are also an excellent resource for fun arts and crafts you and your children can do to make your Ramadan more festive. 

A Memorable Ramadan for Kids

As Muslim parents, one of our foremost goals in preparing for the month of Ramadan is to plan it in a way that it is memorable for our kids. A memorable Ramadan for kids consists of utilizing the unique aspects of the month to create activities and daily routines that make our children look forward to this blessed time each year.

How do you plan to make this upcoming Ramadan memorable for your children? Comment below!