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Ramadan is one of the most significant periods for every Muslim devotee. It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is dedicated to prayer, fasting, reflection, and charity. The time of fasting is followed by all Muslims, except the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, menstruating women, and sick people.
In most Muslim families, children too take part in the fast, although it is not mandatory. The whole idea of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is to practice sacrifice, self-discipline, and self-control. It is also a time to empathize with the less fortunate. It is important for children to know the reason behind why the holy month of Ramadan is observed, but you don’t have to stop there. You can also make this time interesting for your kids by including these fun activities:
1. Bring Out The Chef In Them
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Enjoy some time with your kids in the kitchen. You can involve your kids in the preparation of the iftar meals during Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is a solemn and meaningful time for Muslims all around the world. Iftar is perhaps one of the most precious parts of Ramadan. Also known as iftoor, it’s that time of the day when your daily Ramadan fast comes to an end, and it’s time to break your evening fast. The fast is broken after the call for the evening prayer is done, and you can expect a full meal to be served at this time.
There are several dishes that you can prepare along with your child. You can prepare the entire course or involve the children with the preparation of snacks. Some of the most popular snacks include samosas, pakodas, bread rolls, cutlets, garlic bread, puffs, and kebabs, to name a few. If you want to add a cool drink to your iftar, you can teach your child to make lemonade. Easy to make and pretty much everyone’s favorite, this makes the perfect addition to your iftar preparation.
2. Decorate Your Home
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What better time of the year to decorate your house than Ramadan? Children love art and craft, and you might be surprised by their creativity. Go ahead and spend time decorating your home with your kids. From lanterns, candles, and fairy lights to handmade posters and drawings, the options are endless. You can also rearrange the place to change the look and feel of your home.
3. Charity In A Box
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To most Muslims worldwide, Ramadan resonates very strongly with the act of sadaqat or charity. A fun way of instilling the idea of charity in your child is by introducing them to the concept of a sadaqat box. Make your charity box from items you can find around the house. You can use a tissue box or a shoebox and decorate it with paint or stickers. Keep in mind the various elements of this month while decorating it, such as the crescent moon and stars. Get your creative juices flowing!
Once the box is ready, you can tell your child the idea behind it. Choose a worthy cause that’s close to your heart and ask your child to put aside some money regularly into the sadaqat box. By the end of Ramadan, you can donate it to that worthy cause.
4. Teach Them the Phases Of The Moon
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The moon is one of the central elements of Islam. The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri or lunar calendar, very strongly follows the moon phases. The month of Ramadan is the best time to teach your children the different stages of the moon. You can be sure that your children will be fascinated by the moon and will love observing how it changes each day!
5. Read Together
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Reading isn’t just a fun activity; it is also an essential one. You can buy a few books about Islam and read to your child, or pick a book for yourself and your child and read together. Go ahead and get your child a book on the history of Islam or one that highlights the concept of Ramadan. Spend some time each day reading a few pages, and you’ll be surprised just how much you and your child can learn by reading!
Get your child involved with the rest of the family during Ramadan, so they feel like an important part of it. When they look back at their childhood memories, these could be the ones that stand out, bringing a smile to their faces! Do you have a special activity in mind for your child during this holy month of Ramadan? Let us know in the comments below!
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