Ramadan, (a month where Muslims fast from food, drink and focus on spiritual reflection) is only a matter of months away, estimated to start in the last week of June.. Depending of course on the moon being sighted.
I decided to be organised this year and I was hoping to make this years Ramadan special & memorable for Aysha, as she's a bit older this year and I feel I need to make more effort in showing her how awesome Muslim holidays can be.
As a revert Muslim holidays can be lonely and it can be hard for our kiddies living in a country/environment where Christmas,Easter, Valentines Day, etc are given advertising, exposure & everyone around is excited for this event you know you can't be a part of.
Obviously Aysha is too young for fasting, but I can still use Ramadan as an opportunity to teach her about it, and other aspects of Islam.
I've been doing some researching and brainstorming, seeking here & there for ideas on what we can do during Ramadan.. I was looking for craft ideas, charity ideas (that are age appropriate) and decorating ideas to give our home a special Ramadan feel. I found these ideas from pinterest, xmas ideas I adapted, inspiration from etsy, and Google which directed us to other sites & blogs.. I'm so sorry because I didn't write where I found ideas just the ideas themselves so please forgive me if I have "stolen" an original idea.
So... In no particular order.. Ramadan Activities:
- Decorate for Ramadan - Make a "Ramadan Mubarak" Banner, put up fairy lights & balloons, perhaps a crescent moon cutout, glow in the dark stickers/stars (Aysha loves those).. I want to make our environment special & different than it normally is... Bring a Ramadan warmth.
- Moon themed activity.. "M" is for Moon, since Ayshie is still learning her letters. Also focus on the phases of the moon, use tinfoil or paperplates (cut into moon shapes - circle/full, half, crescent, etc).
- Make Ramadan cards or write on pre-purchased cards, send them.
- Mosaic Masjid sun catcher (using cellopane & card) or PVA & puffy paint window clings.
- Use "Sharpie" markers to draw on/decorate a (porcelain) plate or bowl. (Let it dry bake at 350° for 30 minutes).. If this doesn't go well plan B is to goshopping for a special bowl/plate to use for iftars/suhoors.. Hopefully one that will last many Ramadans.. Or we can start a new Ramadan tradition.
- Make a paper lantern - a fanoos more likely a Chinese lantern..
- "Henna Hands", I saw this on the Crayola website, was thinking to either trace Aysha's hands then use markers to draw henna designs on them or use the pre-cut hands I already have in our craft box.
- Actually doing actual henna would be fun too but I think Aysha is still a tad young for that.
- Cook a themed iftar.. Make something Aysha already has experience in, scrambled eggs, pizza dough, fruit salad, French toast.. I would love to do some "Muslim" country themed dinners too, such as biryani for Pakistan or Egyptian or Malaysian food.
- Plan then have an iftar picnic.. I want to take her at least once to break fast at Masjid.
- Make cupcakes or special cookies for her class.. I was thinking making "stained glass" cookies where you crush up hard boiled candies and bake them in the middle of a cookie border.
- Use fabric paints/pens to decorate a pillowcase as a "prayer rug"
- Ramadan book day - spend time reading our Ramadan themed books then make a book, get Aysha to tell me a story that I will write out, she can then draw pictures & we'll staple the pages together.
- Decorate a cardboard box as a Sadaqa box- fill it up with preloved clothes and toys, donate to a charity or family. Maybe do a food parcel too.
- Plant a small tree - native or fruit tree. Plant some seeds in the garden or a pot.
- "Build a Masjid" use a piece of card for example a cereal box piece, stick or draw a masjid and cut into pieces for a puzzle, build a block masjid or play dough.. We made a felt masjid puzzle of An-nur Masjid in Christchurch last year.
- Make felt or card magnets - crescent moon, tiny masjid or hijabi.
- Make a bird feeder, from a milk bottle or from a pinecone with peanut butter & birdseed.
- Learn about another Muslim country/cuture or how they celebrate Ramadan & Eid around the world.
- Make "Eid Mubarek" cards, be sure to send them early so they arrive on time.
- Make something small to give as an Eid gift for classmates - maybe a food item or crayons upcycled (was thinking crayons melted into shaped tins.. Stars or hearts perhaps).
- I was thinking of teaching Aysha some dua or Ayahs about fasting, thankfulness to Allah lessons, and using the activity books we already have.
- YouTube movie night, make some popcorn and watch some Islamic themed or Muslim friendly cartoons/clips.
- Shop for Eid clothes/shoes.. Let Aysha pick a special treat or toy for Eid.
- Make a string of prayer beads.
- Decorate for Eid, more balloons, more sparkly decorations..
- Bake & Make special foods for Eid.
Those are my ideas so far, I may do them all or just a few but leaving our schedule open & flexible. Just hopeful that Aysha will enjoy Ramadan this year.. I would love to have an enjoyable Ramadan/Eid this year and not be depressed or feel lonely.. My plans are to keep my fasts, spend more time in prayer & remembrance of Allah, read more Qu'ran, memorise some dua and verses. InshaaAllah.
Much love.
Xx
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