Every Muslim knows the importance of prayer. The reward for increased prayer during Ramadan draws in the adults without problem. But what about the kids? I wanted my girls to really get excited about adding prayers with me, instead of hearing “we’re going to pray again?!”
Inspired by a craft a friend had created and posted last year during Ramadan, I decided to create little decorative prayer mats with my daughters. I didn’t intend for the girls to use them to pray on. Rather it was just a little wall hanging to remind them that increased prayer will be a part of our daily schedule during Ramadan (and beyond?).
While we were crafting away, I asked the girls what they would pray to Allah about. What would they ask or thank Him for? Jenin’s immediate answer was for an “upstairs”. Home girl has an obsession with two-story houses. {Pray hard, little one. Pray hard.} Maysoon’s response focused on her two favorite things in life: her Baba and books.
Crafting in dress up clothes is optional, but encouraged.
This is a great project to do with a group of children. The supplies are simple and the mess factor is low. Try offering this craft at a family iftar dinner or during a Eid party. I offered this project at our school’s Eid party last year. It was a hit among the kids. Loved seeing all the unique designs.
How do you encourage your child to establish a love of prayer?
Muslim Prayer Mat Craft
Materials
- Foam half sheets (or heavy card stock or cardboard)
- yarn
- hole punch
- stickers
- markers
- additional decorative elements
Instructions
1. Hole punch 9-10 holes at the bottom of the foam sheet. This is where you will attach the yarn “tassels”. Hole punch two holes at the top about an inch in from the sides. This will be where you attach the yarn or ribbon to hang your prayer mat.
2. Allow your child to decorate the mat any way they desire.
3. Cut 9-10 6-7 inch yarn strips for your rug’s tassels. This can be done quickly by wrapping the yarn around a sheet of 6-7 inch wide cardboard or card stock. Loop the ribbon as shown in the pictures. Alternatively, tie the yarn on.
4. Cut a piece of yarn or ribbon double the width of the foam sheet. Tie to the top of the mat. Hang where desired.
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I love this idea!!!! you are so craft..mashAllah 🙂
i might try this next year when my son is old enough to craft 🙂
Seriously, I’m coming over to get lessons on how to engage with your children when I inshallah have my own. What a fantastic idea and so age appropriate! What I’m learning from you is if you make the boring stuff more fun and engaging then kids will engage more with the stuff we think they should know, in a gentle and kind manner.
Awww thanks. I’m really just trying to learn as I go. I know what worked with me and what didn’t, as I was growing up. We have to put ourselves in your children’s shoes. Lecturing them at this age isn’t going to cut it. I’m trying to do my best. Only time will tell if my efforts will pay off.
Hmm…don’t know if my two-year old would get this, but it’s worth a shot.
At this age, it’s just about just having fun and introducing the concepts. Right?
MashAllah, I am so in love with this idea; it’s so important to make Ramadan fun for the kiddos, and since mine is just now beginning to understand some concepts about Ramadan (she’s 3), I want to make sure it’s enjoyable! I think we will have to try this craft tomorrow inshAllah! And I’m really “digging” your blog sis. No, literally, I’m digging in it and pinning previous posts that I really “dig”. I’m just trying to figure out how to subscribe now so all this goodness can refresh my inbox each day inshAllah…I’m not so good with RSS feeds–>mommy brain! :S I’m so happy you visited my blog because I would have never found you, kindred spirit!
Alhamdulilah I’m glad you like the project. Like I said I was inspired by a friends version of the project. It also makes me pretty excited that you are enjoying the rest of my blog and posts.
I owe you a reply to your email!! As you can see, I’m not very prompt in responses. Sorry!
As for subscribing, I believe you have to hit the rss button up top. It’s by the social media buttons. I’m working on making that simpler.
Awesome idea, what do you do with all the crafts after your done with them? Pitch them? Or save them?
Thanks!
Thank you! It depends on the craft whether it stays or goes. I give my girls free reign over their finished crafts. They typically play with whatever they create or put it up for display around the house. Whatever they tire of or gets destroyed through play gets recycled.
I so love this idea – I am definitely pinning this one as a future craft! Great idea and they look fab!
Thank you!
Loooove this idea, can’t wait to do that with my son next year, please continue to share your fun Eid and Ramadan decoration ideas, I’m desperate for them living in Canada, I really want to make Eid and Ramadan fun for my kids and I’m just not the kind of person that’s able to come up with ideas alone. Thank you so much! What’s in the basket next to the kids in one of the pictures? Looks like wrapped up treats 🙂
Alhamdulilah I’m glad that you’re enjoying the posts so much. A great, great source of inspiration is Pinterest. You will find many ideas that you can tweak to make Ramadan or Eid friendly.
The little bags are Ramadan goodie bags (similar to my Eid treat bags) that I created for the kids in a summer program Jenin was enrolled in.
Thank you for this post and for sharing your blog. 🙂