Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that the months follow the cycles of the moon. This also means that the months do not correspond to the western calendar months. Each year, Ramadan is approximately 11 days earlier than the year before. As the years go by, Ramadan falls in different seasons, which can lead to some very long, or very short, days of fasting! Below are some resources to help you create activities to learn about Ramadan.
- Learning About Ramadan
- Ramadan Activities for Preschool
- Ramadan Activities for Preschool: Songs
- Ramadan Activities for Preschool: Crafts and Family Fun
- Children’s Books About Ramadan
Learning About Ramadan
What is Ramadan?
In 2026, Ramadan begins on or around the evening of February 17th. Traditionally, the new moon must be sighted to recognize that Ramadan has begun. Many Muslim communities enjoy going out in the evenings to look for the moon. There is great celebration when the moon is spotted at the beginning of Ramadan. Pakistani communities often host parties for the occasion known as “chaand raat” (the night of the moon).
During Ramadan, Muslims around the world re-focus on their spirituality and refrain from indulging their appetites. The most visible examples of this are not eating or drinking from dawn to dusk. But, fasting in Ramadan also includes controlling one’s anger and other negative emotions and actions, among other things.
What is Eid?
When the new moon is spotted again at the end of the month, the global Muslim community celebrates with a festival known as “Eid al-Fitr” (celebration of breaking the fast). Eid al-Fitr festivities around the world generally include wearing new clothes, going to the mosque for community prayer, and visiting with friends and neighbors. Local communities have a wide range of traditions they also enjoy.
Here are some resources to help you put together a mini unit about Ramadan. I also recommend checking out Diamond Montessori for some great book recommendations and other resources! Ashley has an inspiring perspective on adding diverse resources to your learning environment.
Simple Ramadan Vocabulary
Learn some Ramadan vocabulary with these informational cards. I recommend binding the cards together into a book but you can certainly leave them loose as cards if you prefer. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Here’s a black and white version of the book with clipart in case your students would like to create a version of the book for themselves. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Continue practicing Ramadan vocabulary with these 3-part cards. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
These Ramadan Riddles are a great way to practice oral comprehension and inferencing skills. Use the clues in the question to figure out if you have the right card! (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Ramadan Activities for Preschool
Is it Peaceful?
Did you know that losing one’s temper can make you break your fast in Ramadan? Yes, practicing self control in all areas is an important part of Ramadan! Use these sorting cards as a jumping off point to talk about how to handle frustrating situations peacefully as part of your grace and courtesy work. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Picture Sorting and Matching
This is a simple category sorting activity for your younger students! Sort pictures of people (Muslims) and buildings (masjids/mosques) (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Print two copies of these Islamic art and architecture cards to create a beautiful matching work! Or simply display them in your classroom for some art inspiration. Your older students may be inspired to create some new designs with the metal insets after they see these! (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Phases of the Moon
Because the moon sighting features so prominently in the month of Ramadan, it is a great time to learn about the phases of the moon.
Use this chart to learn about how the position of the moon affects how much of it is visible. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
Learn the vocabulary for the different phases of the moon. (Source: Ramadan Mini Unit)
I love these adorable moon phases peg dolls from Little Muslim Dolls!
You may also be interested in the fantastic printable pack from Every Star is Different
Ramadan Activities for Preschool: Songs
Nancy Stewart has a couple of free downloadable mp3s that you may want to add to your class collection
Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, has a children’s song too: Ramadan Moon (on Amazon)
Check out these other Ramadan songs on Amazon
Ramadan Activities for Preschool: Crafts and Family Fun
Children’s Books About Ramadan
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr