10 Ways to Include Your Young Children This Ramadan

In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful

With the sacred month of Ramadan right around the corner, we’re busy making preparations for ourselves and our lovely families.

When we’re thinking about Ramadan, often our focus is around fasting…but, while that’s definitely an important part, there’s much more.

We talked about that last year as we inched closer to Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of the Quran. It is a month of taking away the choke hold that our lower desires may have over us. It’s a month of forgiveness and mercy. A month of embracing community.

This is for us all to embrace but it’s especially helpful to look at it in a holistic way when we’re thinking of those who may not be able to fast such as if were pregnant or nursing, someone who has an illness that warrants not fasting, and even small children… and for most of us, even just to keep in mind for our inevitable week of not being able to fast.

Today, we’re looking at 10 ways that we can really make sure to include our children into the sacredness and beauty of Ramadan… in a very tangible and meaningful way. I’d love to hear some of your ideas in the comments but for now, let’s jump into the list:

1.Bring them out with you to sight the moon.

Thanks be to Allah, many more communities are making it a habit to actually go out and see the moon as we welcome each new month. If your local masjid already has this going on or they’re open to it, participate. If not, make it a family event. It’s important. It’s special. Ramadan is a great time to start this but it’s something to carry on each month.

2. Grab some fun books about Ramadan and make time to read one or two each day.

I’ll link a couple of our favorite children’s books about Ramadan but it’s helpful to find a handful that you and your family love… read one or two each day and just keep filtering through. Story time in itself is impactful and fun but you can also include crafts, projects or discussions along with it as well. This depends on your child’s age, focus, interests, etc. 

3. Make time every day to spend with the Quran.

A lot of times during Ramadan, we tend to focus a lot on completing the entire Quran. It’s a beautiful effort and may Allah give us success. But overall, the little but consistent deeds almost always win. Children love to hear the Quran. Depending on how young your child is, this may look like just having them in the vicinity. It may also include pulling out a copy of My First Quran or something similar..and really engaging them in a portion of the Quran. Ultimately, you may wind up reading a little less…but you get reward for their portion and it’s a compounding reward.

4. Allow your kiddos to join you for Suhoor occasionally.

This is a perfect spot to mention that these are ideas to pick and choose from as they work best for you and your family. To be very transparent, I have no intention of waking up my 4 year old specifically for Suhoor. However, on the rare occasion that he wakes up at that time, I will invite him to join in. Perhaps if your child will go back to sleep after praying Fajr, this might work for you. But, suhoor is actually a sunnah of fasting…of Ramadan. So it’s a way that you can include even small kiddos.

5. Fast from screen time for the month (or maybe some other “vice”).

This is something we did as children, growing up. My parents would cut out TV for the month of Ramadan. It’s something I found very impactful and have continued on as a mom. I definitely understand that screen time comes in handy when you need a minute…but disconnecting from device’s and all that comes with that is great for grounding and just recentering ourselves and our child’s brains. Planning ahead is critical for this to work. You can also choose to implement strict boundaries instead of completely cutting it out. Another alternative is focusing on simply adding in a new beneficial thing into your day this Ramadan rather than taking anything out.

6. Give your child the responsibility of serving dates/fruit and water to everyone who is breaking their fast.

Serving those who are fasting, specifically feeding them upon breaking their fast is highly rewardable. It’s something even a 3-4 year old is capable of in most cases. Not only is it a beautiful way to encourage your child to partake on Ramadan, it is helpful in instilling a sense of service in their hearts. 

7. Bring your children for Iftar at the masjid.

Ramadan is a time where we find people we haven’t seen all year back in the masjid. We are witness to people making amends, getting their lives back on track, rekindling a beautiful relationship with Allah. This is part of the “experience of Ramadan”. Bringing our children to have iftar and pray maghrib with their community is definitely a way to include, even our smallest children.  

8. Have your child stay with you for 2 raka’ah of Taraweeh.

Whether you pray Taraweeh at home or at the masjid, at least once or twice during Ramadan, have your kiddo stay with you for just 2 raka’ah. That might look like them playing beside you as you pray or maybe they’ll “pray” alongside you. Again, it might take away a little bit from your experience but what you get in return later down the line, is well worth it.

9. Give your children the responsibility to lay down the prayer mats, especially at Maghrib time, and collect them back up after prayers.

Another way of including your child this Ramadan and instilling in their hearts that joy of service, is to assign them the responsibility of laying out the prayer rugs when the time comes in. And picking back up the mats after everyone has finished praying. This can be for any…or every prayer. Maghrib is a great time, if you’re feeling conflicted.

10. Encourage your child to make Eid cards.

Part of the Ramadan fun is looking forward to Eid of course! Especially for the children… encourage your kiddos to decide a few people they’d love to give Eid cards to and designate a few days for your little ones to get creative and design their own! This can be really fun and be one of those activities used to replace screen time. This hits all 3 boxes: includes your child in Ramadan, it’s super fun, and it’s an act of service! Not to mention, it creates an opportunity for gift-giving!

As moms, it can feel a bit disheartening that we have to really be strategic with our ibadah during Ramadan. We’re often dealing with already full plates and even in those moments where we are reading Quran or praying, etc.. we often have little people joining us. But ultimately, all of our taking care of our husband, our mothering, taking care of our homes can all be part of our ibadah. Set your intentions and do your best.

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