Ramadan

2018 Ramadan Crafts 30 Day Challenge Roundup {Resource}

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Eid Mubarak 2018!

 

That is an Arabic greeting that is used worldwide today to mean Blessed Eid.  Muslims are sharing it as they celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the three day festival that ends the month of Ramadan.

 

For the past 30 days, my daughters and I have made Ramadan crafts to teach about our Arab culture and Islamic religion. This 8th annual tradition had a few adjustments this year as I shared a few crafts for adults and downloads.   I didn’t want to add the pressure of daily crafting as my two oldest daughters had high school finals. My youngest also enjoyed the extra time togehter.

 

Our family started this tradition in July 2011, when I was looking for Ramadan crafts to help me teach my daughters. Our tradition has continued annually through 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

 

We hope you learned something new from our activities and will enjoy this list of all of them together:

 

Ramadan Perler Beads Lantern {Tutorial}

Ramadan Flip Card Calendar {Tutorial}

Alhamdulillah Zakat Basket {Tutorial}

Ramadan Chalkboard String Art {Tutorial}

Ramadan Lantern Headband {Tutorial}

Moon and Star Confetti Bookmark {Tutorial}

Ramadan Lenticular Artwork {Printable} Guest Blog

Recycled Na’layn Suncatcher {Tutorial}

Arabic Chalkboard Lazy Susan {Tutorial}

Ramadan Man’ousheh Mini Bites {Recipe}

Ramadan Cardboard Roll Wreath {Tutorial}

Prayer Rug Felt Magnet {Tutorial}

Papier-Mâché Camel Pull Toy {Tutorial}

Ramadan Food Word Search {Printable} Blog Hop

Islamic Shrinky Dink Charms {Tutorial}

Ramadan Date Palm Cootie Catcher {Printable} Guest Post

Eid Dimensional Magnets {Tutorial}

Traveling Mosque Crayon Holder {Tutorial}

Moon & Star Paint Chip Earrings {Tutorial}

Arabic Peace Fabric Purse {Tutorial}

Eid Reversible Decor {Tutorial}

Melted Crayon Mosque {Tutorial}

Eid Spray Painted Favor Bags {Tutorial}

Recyclable Laylat Al Qadr Binoculars {Tutorial}

Arabic Chalkboard Lunchbox {Tutorial}

Eid Moon and Star Washi Favors {Tutorial}

Ramadan Lantern Washi Card {Tutorial}

Ramadan Lantern Washi Card {Tutorial}

Eid PomPom Mini Banner {Tutorial}

Eid Gold Nuggets Decor {Tutorial}

 

To see all these visually, stop by the A Crafty Arab Ramadan Crafts Challenge board.

Ramadan Chalkboard String Art {Tutorial}

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One of the ways to let children know that Ramadan is not like any other month in the Islamic calendar is to decorate.  For our Ramadan crafts 30 day challenge today, we did just that with a chalkboard sign that includes sting art of the moon, in a few of it’s lunar phases.

 

When I was coming up with the idea for the chalkboard sign, I used the inspiration of the Arabic String Wedding Decor for my brother last year to create the moon artwork below.

 

I have to admit I was nervous about having to write out the word Ramadan, so you can imagine my excitement when I got this Lily & Val stencils from Plaid Online as my role as Plaid Ambassador. The letters are bold, easy to read and fit very well in the banner design.  These are the other supplies you’ll need to make your own sign.

 

Supplies

Wood
Nails
Hammer
Chalk
String
Foam brush
Chalkboard paint
Liquid chalk
Stencil

Start by painting the wood with two coats of the chalkboard paint.

Before the chalkboard can be used, it needs to be conditioned. To do this, take a piece of chalk and rub it over the entire area.

Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe it all off with a wet paper towel.

Next, lay out the stencils and use the liquid chalk to apply the desired design.

Once the banner stencil is done, use a circle template and chalk to trace out the shape in the middle, balanced under the banner. Fold the paper over in half for the moons on either side and only do the outer edge for the moons on the end.

Tip: Use the pliers to hold the nails in place as they are hammered in.

Once all the nails are done, wipe off the chalk templates.

Tie the sting on one of the nails and outline the moon before filling it in.

Finish each moon, tie off  the sting and go on to the next.

Add more stencils if you want.

I had originally thought to use this board for suhoor and iftar time listings each day, but didn’t like how that turned out, so added the flowers. The wonderful feature of the liquid chalk is that it is removable with a wet cloth but will not wipe off from fingers (unlike the chalk).  If I do decided to give it a go again later, the flowers are easy to remove.

 

To see other Ramadan decorations we have made, be sure to visit

Accordion Ramadan Decor {Tutorial}

Ramadan Moon & Star Paper Plate Decor {Tutorial}

 

Stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterest to see more DIY crafty ideas

2018 Ramadan Crafts 30 Day Challenge {Resource}

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Tomorrow marks the start of our 8th annual 30 day Ramadan crafts challenge.

 

Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic calendar when able Muslims around the world fast between sunrise to sunset. No food, no water, nothing can enter their body. In the most simplest of explanations for children to understand: it is to make them appreciate what they have and to donate to the less fortunate at the end of the month.

 

For our annual #CraftyRamadan challenge, we will once again be sharing 30 activities, tutorials and downloads that teach about Ramadan, Muslims, the Arab world, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

 

From the beginning, my 3 daughters and I have spent the holy month of Ramadan creating projects to talk about their connection to the 1.75 billion Muslims around the world.   I wanted to show them they were part of a larger Ummah, a word meaning community in Arabic,  أمة‎. Some posts may not teach anything but offer a fun toy or game to help children pass the time.

 

Our annual tradition started in 2011, and continued in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

 

As an teaching artist, I had the resources to teach them art in my studio, a subject they were heavily missing in their school system.  As a Muslim, I wanted to make sure they were always reading and learning, as asked of us in the Quran, or holy book. As an Arab mother, I wanted to spend time with them individually talking about my childhood memories of spending Ramadan with family, growing up in Libya.

 

This year, I am adding a Plaid Online contest for a chance to win $50 worth of Mod Podge accessories, as part of my role as Plaid Ambassador.  Please stop by A Crafty Arab on Facebook to enter to win:

–8 OZ. Mod Podge GLOSS
–8 OZ. Mod Podge Matte
–8 Oz. Dishwasher Safe Gloss
–Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium 2 Oz. Carded
–Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat
–Mod Podge 7 Piece Tool Kit
–Mod Podge 4pc Sponcer Set
–Mod Podge 4pc Foam Brush Set

 

May the spirit of Ramadan brighten your world and show you the way to harmony, joy and peace, In’shallah (God willing in Arabic).

 

 

Stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterst to see more of our fun crafts DIY tutorials.