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Eat! Make! Read! Learn! 5 Ways to Celebrate Ramadan With Kids

By Macaroni KID February 28, 2024

Muslims will celebrate Ramadan — the holy month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and studying and reciting the Quran — from March 10 through April 9, 2024. 

For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to become closer to God through reflection and divine revelations. It is also a time for families and loved ones to gather and celebrate.

Not very familiar with Ramadan? Here are five ways to learn more with your children:


1. Teach children Ramadan greetings

During Ramadan, faithful Muslims greet one other by saying "Ramadan Mubarak" (Blessed Ramadan) or "Ramadan Kareem" (Have a generous Ramadan). Practice with your kids!


photoman via Canva


2. Craft a crescent moon and star

The Muslim year follows a lunar calendar, and the sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of a new month. This is especially significant at the end of the holy month of Ramadan when the sighting of the crescent moon marks the end of the fasting period.

Kids can make a crescent moon and star out of two paper plates to decorate for Ramadan.

What You Need:

  • Two white paper plates
  • Gold paint
  • Black paint
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Glue

What You Do:

  1. Use one paper plate to trace the shape of a crescent moon onto the other, then cut it out.
  2. Draw a star with your pencil on the other side of the cut plate, and cut out the star.
  3. Paint your moon and star gold. Paint the whole plate black.
  4. Glue the moon and star onto the plate.
  5. You can hang your moon and star in a window by adding a hole near the top of the plate and tying on the string.


Photos by Olga Stock via Canva


3. Learn about Ramadan with Adam and Ayan

There are lots of great kid videos about Ramadan on YouTube. We liked this one because it gives a great explainer about Ramadan for kids and even includes a fun quiz at the end!


4. Spend time in the kitchen together

Because most practicing Muslim adults fast from sunrise to sundown during Ramadan, meals are hearty and filling. Dates are the traditional food used to break the fast. Your kids will love helping to make this simple recipe for stuffed dates.

Stuffed Dates

  • 20 pitted dates, preferably Medjool dates
  • 20 almonds
  • 4 oz whipped cream cheese

Slice partway through the dates and remove any seeds. Stuff each date with cream cheese and one almond.

Want it sweeter? Mix a teaspoon of honey into your cream cheese!


MurzikNata via Canva


5. Read Lailah's Lunchbox

There are plenty of wonderful kids' books about Ramadan to choose from! We like Lailah's Lunchbox, a sweet picture book about a little girl who has recently moved from Abu Dhabi to Georgia and introduces her classmates to Ramadan.

It's based on the personal experience of author Reem Faruqi, an award-winning writer, former second-grade teacher, and mom.