"You may have heard that Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset, is here. This represents a really wonderful opportunity for parents of all backgrounds to start conversations with their kids about religion, traditions, and tolerance—and if you’re unsure of how to approach this conversation, we’ve got you covered.
Take it from me, a millennial who grew up in a Muslim family during the ‘90s and the aughts: The general public tends to be really uninformed about Muslim customs.
This comes to a fever pitch during Ramadan. Imagine being a kid who is fasting throughout the school day and having other kids constantly question why you’re not eating (or worse, taunting you with their food). It’s so important to teach our kids to respect other cultural and religious customs to avoid this type of scenario.
A Basic Rundown of Ramadan for Kids
One of the questions kids often asked about Ramadan was, “Why?” People are curious about the rationale for not eating all day long (and no, you can’t even drink water while fasting for Ramadan!). It all comes down to the deeper meaning of the month.
Muslims fast for the purpose of self-reflection, to exercise discipline and self-restraint, and to focus on spirituality and morality. Food and drink aren’t the only things Muslims are encouraged to avoid: It’s also a time to avoid things like gossiping, lying, and arguing.
Granted, these can be tough concepts to explain to kids. When I was young, I was often told that fasting teaches empathy. You’re able to put yourself in the shoes of someone who doesn’t have access to food or drink—and even though you know your own hunger is temporary, you are able to experience the hunger so many people face.
The Social Aspect of Ramadan
Fasting can definitely be difficult, especially during the summer months when the days are long. Ramadan falls according to the lunar calendar, so it occurs at various times throughout the year. In 2025, Ramadan is from the evening of February 28 to March 29.
With that being said, I know a lot of Muslims who actually look forward to Ramadan each year. It’s a very social time, with lots of gatherings, especially at iftar (the time you break your fast), when people often come together as communities or extended families. Immediate families also wake up together to a quick meal right before the sun rises each morning.
Many local mosques (think the Muslim equivalent of a church) may host dinner events during the month—and while I can’t speak for every mosque in the country, I imagine many of them would be very receptive to welcoming non-Muslim attendees. This would be such a wonderful way to teach children more about how Ramadan is observed. Pro tip: If you’re friends with a Muslim family, you can absolutely ask them if you can tag along for a Ramadan event.
Ramadan Can be Tough for Kids
Not all Muslim kids (or adults) fast. (I haven’t actually observed Ramadan since I was a teenager, for the record.) Some parents will have their kids wait until they’ve hit puberty to start fasting; others will encourage them to fast on weekends as opposed to during the week (as it can be hard for kids to make it through a full day of school without food). When I was around 7, my parents would encourage me to keep “half fasts,” where I’d essentially “break my fast” around lunchtime on weekends. This was their answer to getting me involved in the tradition without having to go a whole day without food or drink.
But even in elementary school, there certainly may be kids at your child’s school fasting. As you can imagine, it’s not easy for a kid to get through a school day without any food or water, and it can be especially challenging to get through lunch or snack time.
Encouraging your kids to be kind and supportive to their friends goes such a long way here. Equipping your child with some basic information about why someone may not be eating at school is a powerful act. It can help normalize the practice and encourage your child to be tolerant toward someone whose family practices different religious customs than their own family.
Ramadan Can be Challenging for Parents Too
I’ve never experienced parenting while fasting, but I can imagine it is not easy (at all—hanger is real!).
While this is one layer of difficulty for many Muslim parents, it’s not the only one. It can also be really scary to put your child in a situation where you know they may feel “othered” or stuck out like a sore thumb at school.
Advice for Muslim Parents
If you are a Muslim parent, don’t be afraid to advocate for your family and children. Whether that means talking to your kids’ teachers about setting up special accommodations for them during lunchtime, giving them some grace if they seem sluggish during class, or even keeping an extra eye on them to make sure they seem OK throughout the school (both physically and emotionally), it’s well within your rights as a parent to speak up for your children.
When I was young, my mom spoke to my teachers about the fact that I was fasting. My school gave me the opportunity to speak about Ramadan at a school assembly and even offered to let me spend lunch periods in a separate room where I could read a book or rest if needed.
Resources for Talking to Kids About Ramadan
There are great books on the market to help your kids learn about Ramadan in age-appropriate ways. A few great options?
In terms of online resources, Islamic Networks Group is a great site for adults to learn more. Reaching out to Muslim community members can also be a great way to learn or support your Muslim friends and neighbors during Ramadan. And if you have a mosque near you, you could certainly inquire about visiting for a tour or an iftar event. If you choose this route, be sure to dress modestly and bring a scarf, as you may be asked to cover your head in certain spaces.
Zara Hanawalt, Contributing Writer
Zara is a twin mom and freelance journalist with over a decade of experience covering parenting, women’s health, and culture. In addition to The Everymom, she’s written for outlets like Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Parents, Shape, Motherly, The New York Times for Kids, What to Expect, and many others. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, travel, watching TV, and trying new restaurants.