Ramadan Activities for Preschool and School Age

r image in article Ramadan Activities for Preschool and School Age Many classrooms have children from different cultures and religions. Ramadan is a special time for many Muslim families. When teachers include simple Ramadan learning activities, it helps children build kindness, respect, and curiosity. It also helps families feel seen and welcomed. #CulturalAwareness

What is Ramadan, and how can you explain it to children?

Ramadan is a special month for many Muslims. During Ramadan, families may:

Spend extra time praying
Practice kindness and helping others
Read stories and learn from their faith
Fast (some older kids and adults may not eat or drink during daylight hours)

For young children, keep it simple:

“Ramadan is a special month for some families.”
“Families may pray more and try extra hard to be kind.”
“Some people fast, but children usually have different rules.”

It’s okay if not every child celebrates. The goal is to learn about others with respect. #Inclusion

How do you celebrate Ramadan at school in a respectful way?

You can celebrate Ramadan by focusing on values children understand, like kindness, helping, gratitude, and family traditions.

Here are respectful classroom tips:

Ask families first. A quick message can help you learn what they are comfortable sharing.
Avoid asking children personal questions like “Are you fasting?” Instead ask, “What are some special family traditions?”
Use neutral, friendly language. Say “Some families…” and “Many people…”
Keep food activities optional. Some families may avoid certain foods or may prefer no food activities during the day.

If you want more ideas and background for teachers, this ChildCareEd article is a great support:
https://www.childcareed.com/a/teaching-kids-about-ramadan-stories-and-activities-for-cultural-awareness.html
#RamadanForKids

What are easy Ramadan activities?

Three’s and Four’s learn best through hands-on play, art, songs, and short group times.

Try these simple ideas:

Moon and star art: Give children paper moons and stars to decorate with stickers and crayons.
Kindness hearts: Children draw or dictate one kind action (help a friend, share a toy, clean up).
Night sky sensory bin: Add dark paper, safe star shapes, and scoops (watch closely for choking hazards).
Story time: Read a gentle story about families and traditions, then ask, “What makes your family special?”

Keep it short and playful. At this age, the goal is exposure and kindness—not details.

Helpful resource activity ideas for your classroom:
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00762-ramadan-moon-stars.html

What are fun Ramadan activities for Five’s and Preschool groups?

Preschool and Five’s are ready for a little more meaning. They enjoy “why” questions and simple routines.

Try these activities:

Class kindness calendar: Add one kindness action each day (hold the door, invite a friend to play, help clean).
Good deed jar: Each time the class does something kind, add a pom-pom to the jar. Celebrate when it’s full.
Moon phases craft: Show that the moon can look different during the month. Let kids make a “moon phases” strip with circles.
Community helper tie-in: Talk about helping others, then make thank-you cards for helpers at school.

Teacher tip: You can say, “Many families use the moon to help know when Ramadan begins and ends.”

How can Kindergarten classrooms connect Ramadan to learning standards?

Kindergarten children can connect Ramadan to classroom learning goals like reading, writing, and social studies—without making it too hard.

Simple learning ideas:

Vocabulary words: moon, star, family, tradition, kindness, respect
Writing prompt: “I can show kindness by ____.”
Counting activity: Count stars on a page, sort by size, or make patterns (star-moon-star-moon).
Class discussion: “How do we show respect when someone celebrates something different?”

Kindergarten is a great time to build empathy and classroom community.

What are meaningful Ramadan activities for School Age children?

School-age children can handle deeper thinking. They often enjoy projects that feel “real.”

Try these school-age ideas:

Culture research mini-project: Children choose a country with Muslim communities and learn one fact about traditions or food (keep it simple and respectful).
Kindness challenge: Set a weekly goal as a class (collect books to donate, write appreciation notes, help younger children).
Reflection journal: Short prompts like “A time I helped someone was…” or “Respect means…”
Role-play respectful questions: Practice how to ask kind questions: “Can you tell me about your celebration?” instead of “Why do you do that?”

School-age kids may have classmates who fast. Remind children:

We do not tease or pressure anyone about food
We use kind words
We respect family choices
#RespectInTheClassroom

How do you plan Ramadan activities for mixed ages?

Mixed-age classrooms are common in child care. The best plan is to choose activities that work at different levels.

Try a “same activity, different difficulty” approach:

Art station: Everyone decorates a moon and star, but older kids add patterns or write kindness words.
Story time: Younger kids point to pictures; older kids answer questions or summarize.
Kindness job chart: Younger kids do simple jobs (line helper); older kids help lead (read to younger kids, set up snack area).

Mixed-age tip: Pair older children with younger children as “helpers.” This builds leadership and a caring classroom culture.

What are good questions to use in circle time?

Question-based learning is great for SEO and great for kids, too—because questions invite discussion.

Use simple circle-time questions like:

“What is a tradition your family enjoys?”
“How can we show kindness at school?”
“How do we act when someone celebrates something different?”
“What can we do to make everyone feel welcome?”

Keep answers short. Let children share, but never force a child to speak.

How can teachers partner with families during Ramadan?

Family partnership is one of the best ways to keep cultural learning respectful.

Try these simple steps:

Send a friendly note asking if families want to share a book, photo, or tradition
Offer choices (some families want to share; some prefer privacy)
Ask about classroom needs (quiet time, changes in energy, schedule concerns)

If you want training support for working with families across cultures, these ChildCareEd courses are a great fit:

Where can you find more Ramadan teaching ideas and updates?

For more classroom ideas, printable resources, and training updates, follow ChildCareEd on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/childcareed/

You can also revisit this helpful guide with stories and activities:
https://www.childcareed.com/a/teaching-kids-about-ramadan-stories-and-activities-for-cultural-awareness.html

When children learn about Ramadan in a warm, simple way, they learn something bigger too: how to respect others, how to be kind, and how to build a classroom where everyone belongs.

Ramadan Activities for Preschool and School Age - post