Fun Ramadan Activities for the Classroom

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Ramadan is an important month for the world's Muslim community. It is a time of reflection, prayer, and fasting for those who observe it. This year, why not help students acknowledge this holiday by implementing some fun activities in the classroom? Whether your students are all Muslim, just a few, or not at all, these activities will bring the spirit of Ramadan into the classroom and help everyone learn more about this important celebration.

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A picture of a lantern, dates, and prayer beads with the text, "Fun Ramadan Activities for Kids"
 
 

Picture Books for Ramadan

These picture books are a fun way to introduce the concepts of Ramadan to your students in an engaging way.

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Author: Lisa Bullard
Illustrator: Holli Conger

I like this Cloverleaf Books series! Rashad shares how he and his family celebrate Ramadan. A text box on each page contains additional facts about the celebration and traditions. It includes a craft idea and glossary.

Lailah’s Lunchbox
Author: Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Lea Lyon

Lailah is a young girl whose family has moved from Abu Dhabi to the southern US. It’s her first year fasting for Ramadan and she is nervous about letting her classmates and teacher know as they may not understand. They think she has forgotten her lunch! She finds a confidante in the school librarian and finds the courage to tell others about her culture. At the end, the author, Reem Faruqi reveals that this is an autobiographical tale.

Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
Author: Qasim Rashid
Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel

Eight-year-old Hannah is disappointed when her Dada Jaan tells her that she is too young to fast for Ramadan. He tells her that she can celebrate Ramadan by saving the world! She spends the day helping others and showing love and kindness.

The Gift of Ramadan
Author: Rabiah York Lumbard
Illustrator: Laura K. Horton

When her grandmother tells her that the heart of a person that fasts for Ramadan is pretty and sparkly, Sophia is determined to fast. Her first day is a struggle. So many temptations! When she succumbs and Grandma sees her eating a box of cookies, Sophia feels horrible. Her grandmother reminds her that there are many other ways to celebrate Ramadan.

 

Ramadan Mini Book

I created a 9-page mini book for primary students to learn about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr! It includes basic facts, an explanation of the traditions, a word search, and a “what I’ve learned” page. Find it in my TPT Store or BP Shop.

Bingo Game

Learning about Ramadan can be a fun experience for kids and one way to make it even more enjoyable is by playing games! This bingo game features symbols associated with the month. It can help children learn about the customs and traditions of Ramadan in a fun and engaging way. One key symbol of Ramadan is the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the month. Available in my TPT Store and BP Shop.

Collaborative Poster

Need classroom decor? Get your students to work together to create a colorful poster for Ramadan. They will color, cut out, and assemble the pieces. Decor + collaboration skills? Win-win! There are 3 options included - 18 pieces, 24 pieces, and 36 pieces! It’s in my TPT Store and BP Shop.

 
 

Eid al-Fitr Festival

Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan. It means, “Festival of Breaking the Fast” because people stop fasting. It is a time for families and friends to gather, share meals, and exchange gifts.

Eid al-Fitr Video
The TVO Kids series, It’s My Party, has an episode on Eid al-Fitr! Noorah celebrates Ramadan and is preparing to attend an Eid al-Fitr event with her guest Soreya.

Amira’s Picture Day
Author: Reem Faruqi
Illustrator: Fahmida Azim

Amira has dilemma! School picture day is on Eid al-Fitr! Understandably, she doesn’t want to miss either. Can she make it work? This book will help the children that celebrate holidays that aren’t celebrated by the dominant culture to be seen. Hopefully, books like these will lead schools to avoid scheduling events on important religious holidays.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are important events for many students and their families. By allowing students to share stories and traditions related to their culture, teachers are also fostering important conversations. And if you don’t have students that celebrate, books by Islamic authors are a great way to gain perspective. The activities shared in this blog post are a great way to learn about Islamic culture and create a more inclusive classroom.