How to Enjoy a Eid Family Celebration at Home

In the past, as The Holy Month of Ramadan would draw to a close, families would have been gearing up for a myriad of Eid celebrations across the country. This year, however, during these very exceptional times, we have been urged to stay home with limited beach access. So with that in mind, not being able to practice our Eid traditions as we are used to, we are looking at ways to celebrate at home.

Traditional Eid Celebrations

Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, celebrates a whole month of fasting for Muslims. For kids who have just starting fasting especially, Eid is especially important to mark their impressive achievement! 

On this day, Muslims are encouraged to dress in their fancy clothes and attend a special Eid prayer at their neighborhood mosque. This weekend, Muslims are asked to do their prayers at home instead.

Eid is also a time where families donate to charity, give gifts to their children, enjoy a feast with their loved ones, and are encouraged to settle any feuds in their lives. (Not to mention the much-awaited Eideya)!

So how can we celebrate at home this year?

Dress Up In Your Fancy Clothes

Yes, do it. You might not be going out to visit your friends, grandparents or other relatives, but getting dressed up is definitely going to make it feel a lot more like a special occassion.

Bake Some Treats
 

Healthy Pancakes

Nothing is more gratifying than indulging in a delicious (and healthy) breakfast after a whole month of missing out on the first meal of the day. Have your kids help you measure out and mix the ingredients in for  family-pancake-making fun in the morning.  

Easy Sugar Cookies

Super simple sugar cookies that you can cut and shape into whatever you'd like! You can even top the cookies with cinnamon, sugar, icing and more.

Have A Virtual Visit

Eid is all about coming together with your friends and family, so if you can't physically go there to be with them, get on Zoom and have a virtual gathering. Your kids can huddle up for some Eid stories with their grandparents, and you can even set a place at the table for your virtual guests. 

Play Some Games

Charades

Sometimes it's the simplest things that give the greatest fun and giggle. Here are 101 ideas for you and your kids to act out.

Moon & Star Tic Tac Toe

Image: acraftyarab.com

Take this homemade Tic-Tac-Toe set with you wherever you go, or even pull it out at home to play against your family members.

Spot The Difference

Getting the family together for some fun games doesn't have to be a hassle. All you need is some enthusiasm and a few things lying around the house.

Make Eid Crafts & Decorations

DIY 3D Stars

Image: strawberry-chic.blogspot.com

Decorate your home with 3D stars using simple materials you have at home. Have your little ones insert the stars together to make 3D shapes, and decide where to place them around your house.

--WHAT YOU'LL NEED--

Cutting mat
Cutter
Scissors
Pen or pencil
Straight edge
Card stock
Star pattern (or draw your own)

--STEP 1--

Cut out star shapes with scissors on thick card stock paper (use a star template if you prefer).

--STEP 2--

Use your straight-edge and a cutter to cut out the star shapes. Adults will need to do this step.

--STEP 3--

You will now need to find the center-point of your star shapes. To do this, line your ruler up with the point of one corner and then angle it straight down to the nearest v shape. Mark the center-point with a pencil.

--STEP 4--

Take your straight-edge and cutter and cut a line starting from the center-point of one of your stars and ending at the tip of the star. Do the same on the 2nd star, but this time cut a line from the center-point to the bottom v shape.

--STEP 5--

Slide your star shapes together to create a 3D star form.

Eid Greeting Card

Image: acraftyarab.com

If you're feeling extra crafty, try out this pop-up card for Eid that you can either give away or place on a shelf or table as decoration.

DIY Moon Piñata

Image: ohhappyday.com

An Eid decoration with a twist, this moon piñata can work two ways. Of course, you can fill it with candy but you can also just use it as decoration. This technique of making a piñata (instead of paper mache) goes so quick and has a lot less mess. Your little ones can even help you cut the frills and glue them on too.

--WHAT YOU'LL NEED--

Cardboard
Tape
Scissors
Paper
Glue

--STEP 1--

Cut out two identical crescent shapes

--STEP 2--

Cut out a long rectangle shape that will tie the two crescents together

--STEP 3--

Fold the thin, tissue-like paper into frills

--STEP 4--

Tape the two crescents and the rectangle together.

--STEP 5--

Glue the layers of paper on top of each other.

Give Back

Donate Your Toys

Image: istock

Encourage your kids to donate toys they're not using anymore, or have outgrown. Take part in this exercise together or have siblings do it together. Along the way they'll realize how lucky they are to have so much already. Marwa Fayed's Toy Run is a great option. 

Give to Charity

Image: hopeacademy.com

Have a discussion with your kids about the importance of giving to those in need. You can explain that people have different circumstances and how the more fortunate can try to help whenever possible. There are endless organizations you can contribute to, but we've shared a few below to help you out. Most organizations accept online payments so you won't even have to leave your couch. 

Hope Academy -- A special needs academy for children and young adults who learn differently.

Ahl Masr Foundation -- Provides free treatment for burns and accidents. 

Magdi Yacoub Foundation -- Charity NGO offering free of charge state-of-the-art medical services to the Egyptian people, particularly the underprivileged and vulnerable age-groups.

Egyptian Clothing Bank -- An NGO established alongside The Egyptian Food Bank, which provides the basic human need of clothing.

Tawasol -- Tawasol Egypt’s products are made by low-income families living in slum areas and informal settlements in Cairo. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of our products are given back to the communities that made them, either as artisans’ wages or to help sustain community development projects.

How are you celebrating Eid Al Fitr this year? Share your moments with us on your socials by tagging @kidzapp.eg​