Ramadan is a special time of the year, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, when every Muslim all around the world engages in his holy month with fasting, prayers, and kindness toward the people.
Fasting means Muslims will not eat or drink from dawn to dusk, that is restricted during the month of Ramadan.
It is not merely fasting; it is also a month of gratitude, helpfulness to the needy, and getting all the family members and friends together.
In this article, we will be highlighting just some of the most fun and most interesting facts about Ramadan, teaching the children what made this an extra special spiritual month and how people all over the world celebrate it!
7 Ramadan Facts for Children
Here are some interesting snippets about Ramadan for kids:
- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar: A very important and holy month for Muslims, across the world.
- Fasting is from sunrise to sundown: The meaning is not eating or drinking anything during the day. They have a meal just before sunrise called Suhoor and another meal called Iftar after sunset.
- Fasting teaches you self-control and gratitude: It helps to understand what the less fortunate feel like, and therefore makes one grateful for what one has.
- Some people remain exempted from fasting: Children, old people, pregnant women, and sick people do not have to fast.
- Ramadan is a month of prayer, and valour: Muslims pray and read the Quran in abundance, and their biggest karma is to be kind by helping other fellow Muslims.
- Special Nights: One among the last 10 nights is Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power. It is believed, in this night, the very first revelation of the Quran was conferred.
- The Ramadan month culminates with Eid: Once the holy month of fasting is over, Muslims celebrate a special festival called Eid, with good food, gifts, and time spent with their families.
Ramadan is the month of reflection, kindness and togetherness which has made it precious to Muslims all over the world!
How Do You Explain Ramadan to Kids?
The holy month of Ramadan is characterized by fasting, prayer, and making an extra effort to be kind to everyone.
In Ramadan, children are told about the value of other people and how to be grateful for everything.
It is a month-long fast that does not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, and the month should remind one of the importance of food and should make him realize how to help those in need.
Do not worry, however, as children, ill people, and senior citizens generally fast for no reason. They have the meal of Suhoor before sunrise and break the fast during Iftar at sunset with some dates and a sip of water, followed by other lavish feasts.
Thirty days later, the Ramadan festival concludes with a grand celebration of Eid al-Fitr, during which people dress in their finest raiment, feast on delicious dishes, and give gifts to children.
It is an exhilarating and joyful season rich with festivity and gratitude, encompassing all mankind.
How to Make Ramadan Special for Kids?
Making Ramadan special for children can have a fun spin to it yet a marvelous meaning! Here are some unique ways to do it so that they can enjoy and also understand this month better:
- Ramadan Countdown: Make a Ramadan calendar, with some little treat, or activity, or good deed for each day until Eid. That will keep them buzzing with expectation!
- Home decoration together: Star and crescent moons, lanterns, and all these beautiful things that decorate your home. Using DIY for decorative purposes will certainly help for the kids. They can help make things like lanterns made out of paper or banners.
- Enjoy Suhoor and Iftar: Act with the children, making meals, setting the table for dinner, or giving them the option to choose their favorite dish, which might be served for Iftar. Younger children might also start fasting for a few hours, such as half a day.
- Learn through stories and crafts: Read very exciting storybooks about Ramadan and Eid; many of them are there. Make beautiful mobiles in the shape of the moon and stars, and gratitude jars to add scope to your Ramadan crafts.
- Kindness and Charity: Let the kids donate toys, clothes, or food to the needy. Create a Good Deeds Jar where they can isolate slip the note each time they do a kind act.
- Plan for a Night Full of Fun: Activities for special nights include: Family game nights, Stargazing, learning about the moon, Visiting the mosque for Taraweeh prayers
- Applaud Them for Their Achievements: Little ones can be commended for many good things they have been doing, like fasting, praying, or helping others! A bit of appreciation would be a nice touch!
- Make Eid a Little Extra Special: Making decorations for Eid al-Fitr, wrapping gifts, or planning the special outfit could be all part of Eid preparation. You could get them into baking treats or planning a family celebration!
If kids get to enjoy innovative and meaningful activities, they shall look forward to Ramadan every single year!
At What Age Should Children Start Fasting?
Fasting is not prescribed in children until they attain puberty, a stage that usually sets in between the ages of 10-14 years.
Some kids, however, would like to start earlier to familiarize themselves with this fasting business.
When should kids start practicing? Little ones ages 5 to 7 would be encouraged to skip some snacks or fast for a few hours.
Ages 7 to 9 may start fasting for half a day or on weekends. However, at age 10, some kids may attempt full-day fasting, although they should only do so if they feel perfectly well and strong enough.
Fun ways to make fasting easier: encourage with small rewards or special meals; stay hydrated with enough water during Suhoor and Iftar; listen to their body: tired or dizzy, break the fast; teach them that Ramadan is not just fasting but also a time to exhibit kindness, gratitude, and prayers.
Every child is different, and therefore fasting should start at whatever pace they feel suits them!
What Are Facts About the Eid?
Here are some fun and interesting facts about Eid for kids!
- There Are Two Eids: Eid al-Fitr – this festival marks the completion of Ramadan and is also famously known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”. Eid al-Adha, it follows the Hajj ( pilgrimage) that is also called the “Festival of Sacrifice”.
- The Eid-al-Fitr: Festival represents the end of Ramadan. With a month of fasting now over, Muslims celebrate it with the most joyful restorative holiday imaginable, full of food and family.
- Prayer Comes First: Throughout the morning, special prayers known as Salat al-Eid are held in mosques. Everybody dresses nicely before meeting each other with Eid Mubarak!
- People Give to Charity: Muslims voluntarily give Zakat al-Fitr, a donation to the poor in need, before Eid prayers. This guarantees that finally everyone can rejoice and celebrate on Eid.
- Delicious Feasts and Sweets: Families prepare and share tasty meals! Some popular Eid treats include: Sheer Khurma (sweet milk pudding) Baklava (sweet pastry) Maamoul (date-filled cookies)
- Gifts and New Clothes: Eid gifts ranging from money to gifts from elders usually come to Children. Many new clothes are also worn by many.
- It’s a Celebration across the World: Eid is celebrated in innumerable ways around the globe! Some countries hold festivals, grand fireworks, and parades, while others stick to family gatherings and traditional meals.
Eid is a festival of happiness, kindness, and unity, which marks the end of Ramadan and furthering the love!
Conclusion
The entire Muslim world views Ramadan as a special time. It is not about just fasting. Ramadan is the time to pray, to spread kindness, and to ponder about life.
The children understand Ramadan, that is what Ramadan is, and perform good deeds and share joy in their homes with the family on the day of Eid.
Joy in the Eid al-Fitr brings people together in celebrating, in giving, and in being appreciative at the close of Ramadan.
Ramadan teaches people through fasting, through giving charity to the poor, and by sharing precious moments with loved ones lessons that will carry one through life beyond that holy month.
Ramadan and all that it includes, the very fun and lively mood it creates among the children, helps to instill in them appreciation for this holy month and for the values of kindness and gratitude throughout their lives!
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