The best Ramadan gifts for kids help them take part in the month rather than just wait for Eid: a 30-day countdown calendar, a good-deed jar, a child-sized prayer mat, a sadaqah box and bedtime books about Ramadan and the Prophets. Give them on or just before the first night, and save bigger presents for Eid.
Do Muslims give gifts in Ramadan?
Many families give children small gifts at the start of Ramadan, but it is a cultural custom, not a religious requirement. The aim is to help children who are too young to fast feel that the month is theirs too.
The spirit behind it is generosity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous of all in Ramadan, when Jibril met him every night to review the Qur’an (Sahih al-Bukhari 6). Giving gifts in general is encouraged in the Sunnah, but gifts are not part of the rules of fasting, and some families prefer to keep all presents for Eid. Both approaches are fine.
The best Ramadan gifts are ones used during the month. A toy opened on the first night and forgotten by the third does little; a calendar, a jar of good deeds or a bedtime book carries the month all the way to Eid.
What are the best Ramadan gifts for kids?
Gifts that give each day a small job, a small treat or a story work best. Here are the main types, with UK price guides.
| Gift | Best age | How it is used | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramadan countdown calendar | 3–9 | A treat, dua or good-deed task each day | £10–£30 |
| Good-deed jar | 3–9 | A marble or star for each kind act, emptied on Eid | Under £10 (or homemade) |
| Activity bag | 3–10 | Puzzles, stickers and a tracker for quiet afternoons | Darussalam’s Ramadan Fun Bag is £9.99 |
| Child’s prayer mat or prayer outfit | 2–9 | Joining in at taraweeh or at home | £10–£25 |
| Sadaqah box | 4–9 | A coin a day, given away at the end of the month | Under £10 |
| Ramadan picture books | 2–9 | A bedtime story each night | £6–£12 each |
| Fasting or “trying” chart | 6–10 | Recording practice fasts | Under £5 (or printable) |
Books for Ramadan nights
- My First Book About Ramadan by Sara Khan (Kube Publishing, 2021), a board book for ages 2+; Kube lists it at £5.99.
- Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi, told by the moon itself (around 4+).
- Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Robert, illustrated by Shirin Adl (around 5+).
- Night of the Moon by Hena Khan, about a Pakistani-American girl’s Ramadan (around 6+).
A personalised book also suits the nightly reading of Ramadan. Hudhud, a UK personalised Islamic storybook, puts the child’s name and likeness into the stories of five Prophets, from Nuh to Muhammad (peace be upon them), so a few pages make a good bedtime read each night. For a fuller reading list, see Ramadan and Eid books for kids.
When should you give Ramadan gifts?
Give the main Ramadan gift on or just before the first night, then add small gifts at set points through the month. This plan keeps excitement going without spoiling Eid.
| When | Gift | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The night before Ramadan | Countdown calendar, good-deed jar, first Ramadan book | Sets up the habits for the month |
| First weekend | Prayer mat or prayer outfit | Ready for taraweeh or family prayers |
| Middle of the month | A craft kit (lanterns or Eid cards) | A boost when the novelty fades |
| Start of the last ten nights | A sadaqah box or a donation in their name | Links the gift to the most blessed nights |
| Eid morning | The main present and Eidi | Eid stays the high point |
For calendar ideas you can make yourself, see our Ramadan calendar ideas.
What should go in a Ramadan basket for kids?
A good Ramadan basket has something for each part of the day: worship, reading, making and giving.
- A countdown calendar or moon tracker chart
- One Ramadan picture book or Prophet story book
- A prayer mat, cap or scarf
- A sadaqah box for their own charity
- Craft supplies for lanterns and Eid cards (see our Ramadan crafts for kids)
- Dates and a small treat for their own “iftar”
What Ramadan gifts suit each age?
| Age | Good Ramadan gifts |
|---|---|
| Under 3 | Board books, a soft lantern toy, nasheeds to play at iftar time |
| 3–5 | Countdown calendar, good-deed jar, prayer mat, picture books, a personalised storybook |
| 6–9 | Fasting chart, first Qur’an with a stand, Prophet story collection, a Ramadan journal |
| 10–12 | A Qur’an reading plan with a special bookmark, a tasbih, a cookbook to help make iftar |
What gifts help a child who is trying to fast?
Fasting is not required before puberty, but many children like to try half-days or weekend fasts. Gifts that distract and encourage help most.
There is a precedent for this. The Companions had their children practise fasting on the day of ‘Ashura, and made them toys of wool to play with when they cried for food, until it was time to break the fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 1960). A new puzzle, a book or a craft for the long afternoon does the same job today. A “trying to fast” chart with a small reward at the end of the week, and lots of praise at iftar, work well for 7–10-year-olds. Our guide to Ramadan with young children has a week-by-week plan.
When should you order Ramadan gifts for 2027?
Order printed or personalised gifts by mid-January 2027. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, depending on the moon, and Eid al-Fitr around 9–10 March. Hudhud costs £29 with free tracked UK delivery in about 7–9 working days, and Express (£4.99 more) is printed first and arrives a few days sooner.
Which Ramadan gifts teach giving?
- A sadaqah box they decorate themselves, with a coin added each day.
- A kindness kit: cards and stickers for iftar notes to neighbours.
- A food bank shopping trip where they choose the items to donate.
At the end of the month, count the sadaqah box together and decide where it goes. Children remember the feeling of giving long after they forget the toys.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Do you give gifts in Ramadan?
It is not required, but many families give children small gifts at the start of Ramadan to build excitement, such as a countdown calendar, a prayer mat or a book. Bigger presents are usually saved for Eid.
What is a good Ramadan gift for a child who is too young to fast?
Something that lets them take part: a good-deed jar, a countdown calendar, a child-sized prayer mat or a Ramadan picture book. These help them feel the month is theirs too.
What should go in a Ramadan basket for kids?
A countdown calendar or moon tracker, a Ramadan or Prophet story book, a prayer mat or outfit, a sadaqah box, craft supplies for lanterns and a few dates for their own “iftar”.
When should Ramadan gifts be given?
On or just before the first night, so they are used throughout the month. Some families add a small gift each weekend or at the start of the last ten nights, and keep the main present for Eid.
What can I give a child for their first fast?
A puzzle, book or craft to fill the afternoon, a certificate or chart for their achievement, and praise at iftar. The Companions gave children wool toys to play with while they practised fasting (Sahih al-Bukhari 1960).
When does Ramadan 2027 start in the UK?
It is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 9–10 March, depending on the sighting of the moon. Order printed gifts by mid-January to have them for the first night.