For many children, Ramadan is the most magical time of the year: the lanterns, the iftars, the excitement of Eid. It is also the perfect month to grow closer to the Quran, because Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185).
Here is how to make Ramadan meaningful for your child: gentle fasting practice, realistic Quran goals and simple activities the whole family can enjoy.
- Fasting is not required before puberty, but children can practise gently.
- Set a small, realistic Quran goal that fits your child’s age and level.
- Simple activities like a good-deeds jar and a charity box bring Ramadan to life.
- Focus on joy, kindness and closeness to Allah, not perfection.
Fasting: gentle practice
Fasting becomes obligatory when a child reaches puberty. Before that, children can practise little by little, so that fasting feels natural when the time comes. This is an old and beautiful tradition: a companion of the Prophet ﷺ, Ar-Rubayyi‘ bint Mu‘awwidh, described how, on the day of Ashura, they used to let their children fast and made toys for them to keep them busy until it was time to eat (Sahih al-Bukhari 1960).
Some gentle ideas:
- Half-day fasts: from suhoor until lunchtime, for younger children.
- Weekend fasts: a full fast on a Saturday, when there is no school.
- Build up slowly: a few fasts in the first year, more the next.
- Celebrate every fast: a special iftar treat or a star on the Ramadan chart.
Always keep your child’s health, age and school day in mind. If your child is unwell or has a health condition, speak to your GP first.
Quran goals by age
A goal your child can actually reach is far better than a big goal that ends in frustration. Here are some ideas:
| Your child | A realistic Ramadan goal |
|---|---|
| Little ones | Learn one new short surah and a Ramadan dua by listening. |
| Learning to read | Finish a set number of Qaida pages, with a little reading every day. |
| Reading the Mushaf | Read a few pages a day, or complete a juz over the month. |
| Memorising | Memorise a new surah, or revise a juz they already know. |
Not sure what is realistic? Your child’s teacher can help you set the right goal.
A note from Omar Saeed, Quran Teacher at Bloomtivo
One Ramadan, a parent told me their child had stopped looking at the Quran chart. The chart was full of goals, but every missed day seemed to make the child less willing to begin again.
We made the goal smaller. On school nights, the child only had to listen to a short passage with a parent. If they had more energy, they could revise as well. The chart changed from a record of everything the child had missed into a simple place to mark the moments they had shared.
The child did not suddenly become eager every evening. Some nights were still tiring. But the family had a way back into the routine that did not require catching up on missed boxes.
In Ramadan, I would rather see a child return to a small, meaningful practice than watch them give up because the plan has become too heavy.
— Omar Saeed, Quran teacher at Bloomtivo
Easy Ramadan activities
- A Ramadan calendar: one small task each day, like a surah, a dua or a kind act.
- A good-deeds jar: add a pom-pom or paper star for every good deed.
- A family charity box: collect coins for sadaqah and choose a cause together.
- Iftar helpers: let children lay the table, share dates or make a simple dish.
- Bedtime stories: a story of a Prophet every night of the month.
- Decorate together: paper lanterns, a moon and stars for the window.
Teacher’s tip: put your child in charge of the family’s dua before iftar. Feeling trusted with something important makes children feel part of Ramadan.
The last ten nights
The last ten nights of Ramadan include Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, which Allah describes as better than a thousand months (Surah Al-Qadr). Even young children can join in: a little extra Quran, a heartfelt dua, or sitting with the family for a few minutes of dhikr before bed.
Ramadan and school
If your child is practising fasting on school days, it helps to let the school know, especially about PE, lunchtime and how your child is feeling. Some children prefer to fast only at weekends during term time, and that is perfectly fine. Read more in raising confident Muslim children in the UK.
Keep the joy after Ramadan
The best Ramadan is one that leaves good habits behind. Keep a little daily Quran time going after Eid, even ten minutes. Our live 1-to-1 lessons help children keep growing all year round, whether in Quran & Tajweed, Hifz or Duas & Adhkar. Start with 2 free trial lessons.
Sources and further reading: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 (Quran.com) · Sahih al-Bukhari 1960 (Sunnah.com) · Surah Al-Qadr (Quran.com)
