Ramadan is one of the best times of the year to build your child's love for Islam. The days are calmer, the family eats together, and children see the whole community fasting, praying and giving. But for UK parents it also brings real questions. How do I explain it to a five-year-old? Should my child fast on a school day? How do I keep them motivated for 30 days?
This guide answers those questions, with UK dates for 2027, a gentle fasting plan by age, tips for school, and activities that keep the whole month meaningful.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday 7 February 2027, with the first fast on Monday 8 February, depending on the moon sighting. Children don't have to fast until they reach puberty, but many start with half-day or weekend fasts from around age 7–10 to practise. The best way to teach Ramadan to kids is through small daily habits: a little Quran, one good deed and a family iftar.
When is Ramadan 2027 in the UK?
Islamic months follow the moon, so Ramadan moves about 10–11 days earlier every year. In 2027 it falls in late winter, which means short fasts in the UK: roughly 11–13 hours in London, getting a little longer as the month goes on. That makes 2027 a good year for children to try their first fasts.
| Date (expected) | What happens |
| Sunday 7 February 2027 (evening) | Moon sighting. Taraweeh prayers begin |
| Monday 8 February 2027 | First fast of Ramadan |
| From about Friday 26 February 2027 (evening) | The last 10 nights begin |
| Friday 5 March 2027 (evening) | 27th night, often observed as Laylat al-Qadr |
| Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
All dates depend on the moon sighting, so check your local mosque's timetable nearer the time.
How to explain Ramadan to kids
Children understand Ramadan best when it's explained at their level and linked to things they can see and do.
Ages 3–6: keep it simple and joyful
• "Ramadan is a special month when Allah gives us extra rewards for being good."
• "Grown-ups don't eat or drink in the daytime so they remember Allah and feel how hungry people feel."
• Focus on the happy parts: decorating the house, the night sky and the new moon, eating dates together at iftar, and getting ready for Eid.
Ages 7–10: explain the "why"
• Ramadan is the month the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. It teaches patience, self-control and gratitude.
• It isn't only about food. We also try to fast from bad words, arguing and screen time, and to do more good deeds.
Ages 11+: make it personal
• Talk about intention (niyyah): why are they fasting, and what do they want to change this Ramadan?
• Introduce Laylat al-Qadr, "the Night of Power", which the Quran says is better than a thousand months.
• Let them set their own goals, such as finishing a juz of Quran, praying all five prayers on time, or giving part of their pocket money to charity.
Should my child fast? A gentle plan by age
In Islam, fasting becomes obligatory when a child reaches puberty (baligh). Before that, fasting is practice, not a duty. The Companions used to encourage their children to fast little by little, so they were ready when it became compulsory.
Every child is different, so use this as a guide rather than a rule:
| Age | A good starting point |
| Under 7 | No fasting. Join suhoor or iftar, and try a "snack fast" (no treats until lunch) |
| 7–9 | Half-day fasts, for example until lunchtime, mainly at weekends |
| 10–12 | Full fasts at weekends, building up to a few school days if they're coping well |
| Puberty and over | Full fasts every day unless ill, travelling or another valid reason applies |
Tips for a child's first fasts
• Never skip suhoor. Slow-release food like porridge, eggs, wholemeal bread and bananas keeps energy up for longer.
• Water, water, water. Encourage plenty of water between iftar and suhoor, and fewer sugary drinks.
• Praise the effort, not the hours. A child who fasts until noon has done something brave.
• Stop if they're unwell. If your child feels dizzy, faint or very unwell, they should break the fast straight away. Islam never asks anyone to harm their health.
• Speak to your GP first if your child has a health condition such as diabetes or asthma.
Ramadan at school in the UK
In 2027 all of Ramadan falls in term time, including the February half term. Most UK schools are supportive, especially when parents let them know early.
• Tell the class teacher if your child is fasting, even only on some days. Many schools offer a quiet space at lunchtime.
• Ask about PE. Schools can often make PE lighter on fasting days, or your child can take part and rest when needed.
• Plan around tests. If your child has mock exams or assessments, it's fine for them not to fast that day. For children who haven't reached puberty, fasting is only practice.
• Help them explain Ramadan to friends. A simple line works: "I'm fasting because it's Ramadan. It's a special month in Islam, and I'll eat when the sun sets."
• Use half term. The February half term is an ideal time for your child to try a few full-day fasts at home.
For older children balancing faith and exams, our guide to Hifz and high grades has practical study-planning tips that work well in Ramadan too.
15 Ramadan activities for kids
Activities keep children excited for all 30 days, not just the first week. Pick a few from each group.
Quran and learning
1. A Quran target chart. Set a realistic daily goal, such as one page or five ayahs, and colour in a box each day.
2. Learn one short surah this Ramadan. Surah Al-Qadr is a perfect choice, because it's about the Night of Power. See our guide to short surahs for kids.
3. Story time with the Prophets. Read one story from the lives of the Prophets each night before bed.
4. A "Ramadan word of the day". Suhoor, iftar, taraweeh, zakat, sadaqah, Laylat al-Qadr: one new word, and what it means.
Kindness and charity
5. A good-deeds jar. Add a paper star for every kind act, and count them on Eid.
6. A sadaqah box. Children put in a few coins from their pocket money, then choose a charity to give it to.
7. Iftar for the neighbours. Bake or share a plate of food with a neighbour, Muslim or not.
8. Thank-you notes. Write cards for teachers, grandparents or the imam.
Crafts and home
9. A Ramadan calendar. 30 pockets or envelopes, each with a small activity or a dua inside.
10. Moon-phase tracker. Draw the moon every night and watch it grow from the new crescent to full and back again.
11. Make a paper lantern to hang up for iftar.
12. Decorate the prayer space with your child's artwork so it feels special.
Family time
13. Little chef at iftar. Let children set the table, prepare the dates, or make a simple fruit salad.
14. Pray one taraweeh together at home, even if it's only a few rak'ahs. Our guide to teaching kids to pray salah can help younger ones.
15. Eid countdown. In the last week, plan Eid clothes, gifts and a card for each family member.
A simple Ramadan routine for a school day
In February, fasts in London start around 5:45am and end around 5:15pm, so a school-day routine can look like this. Adjust the times to your local timetable.
| Time | What to do |
| Before Fajr | Suhoor together, then Fajr prayer |
| Morning | School as normal (fast, half fast or no fast, depending on age) |
| After school | Rest, then 15–20 minutes of Quran reading or an online Quran class |
| Maghrib | Break the fast with dates and water, then pray Maghrib |
| Evening | Dinner, homework, a few rak'ahs of taraweeh or a Prophet story |
| Bedtime | Early night, so suhoor feels easier |
Ramadan duas for kids to learn
Two short duas are perfect for Ramadan. Say them together every day and your child will know them by Eid.
1. Dua when breaking the fast
Dhahaba al-zama'u, wabtallatil-'urooq, wa thabatal-ajru in sha' Allah.
Meaning: "The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills." (Abu Dawud)
2. Dua for Laylat al-Qadr (the last 10 nights)
Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni.
Meaning: "O Allah, You are the One who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me." (Tirmidhi)
For more everyday duas, read 5 essential duas every Muslim child should know.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child start fasting in Ramadan?
Fasting becomes compulsory at puberty. Many families start practice fasts, such as half days or weekends, from around 7–10, and build up gradually.
Is it safe for children to fast on school days?
For healthy older children, usually yes, as long as they eat a good suhoor, drink plenty after iftar and stop if they feel unwell. Younger children are better off practising at weekends. If your child has a medical condition, speak to your GP first.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027 in the UK?
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027, depending on the moon sighting.
How can I keep my child motivated for the whole month?
Use visible progress, such as a good-deeds jar, a Quran chart or a Ramadan calendar, and praise effort every day. Save special activities for the second half of the month, when excitement usually drops.
How can my child make the most of Ramadan with the Quran?
Set a small daily target and stick to it. Regular classes with a teacher help children keep going and improve their recitation, especially in a busy school term.
Make this Ramadan your child's best one yet
Merit Education Foundation offers online Quran, Tajweed, Hifz, Arabic and Islamic studies classes for children across the UK, with patient teachers and flexible after-school times. Ramadan is the perfect time to start.
Book a free trial class, or see our classes and prices.
Related guides:
• Online Quran classes for kids: a parents' guide to Tajweed, Qaida and Hifz
• How to encourage your child to pray
• Online Islamic studies for kids: a complete UK parents' guide