With Ramadan just 2 weeks away, I thought I’d share some activities that Jamila and I have been doing to prepare for the holy month. As a toddler, it will be years before she begins fasting but there are other ways for her to get involved and to learn about the importance of Ramadan.
I’ve split the below activities into sections aligned with Montessori concepts; Practical Life, Care for Environment, Books and Arts and Crafts.
Practical Life
Prepare Iftar and Suhoor Meals – This could be as simple as mixing, turning the oven on, or choosing fruit and vegetables to include.
Donate Old Toys and Books – If you’ve got a pile of toys or books which your little one isn’t using any more, this is the best time to give to charity.
Create Gift Hampers – Every year before Ramadan, I like to create gift hampers for my family and friends including dates and olive oil. Getting your little one involved is a great way to pass on the tradition.
Care For Environment
Create a Prayer Corner – Creating a new environment with a prayer mat and some simple decorations is a great way to make Ramadan fun and get the creative juices flowing.
Clean the House – Toddlers love to copy their parents, and cleaning is one of the activities that they enjoy most! I like to give Jamila a clean sponge and a spray bottle filled with water. She wipes windows and surfaces, and even has her own little mop and brush.
Books
It’s Ramadan, Curious George – by H A Rey and Hena Khan
I Say Alhumdulillah – by Noor H Dee and Iput
The Proudest Blue – by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S K Ali
Arts and Crafts
Make Ramadan Mubarak Cards – Jamila loves colouring! We recently brought her some crayons and stickers which we’ve been using to make cards. Family and friends will be overjoyed to receive these little gifts.
Decorate the House – Whether it’s hanging up some paper moons or making bunting, decorating the house for Ramadan can really help to emphasise that something special is coming and get the family excited for the month ahead.
Draw a Masjid – Something I loved doing as a child! For Jamila, I’d draw a basic outline which she can colour in. It doesn’t have to be a work of art, as long as they have fun with it.
To make things easier and more visual for children, I’ve put these ideas together in a printable Ramadan Activities Poster:
I hope that you find this useful, and that you have a blessed Ramadan with your families InshaAllah!
Montessori Muslim 