Hari Raya Puasa activities can be just as fun and exciting as other festive celebrations in Singapore.
Singapore is home to a diverse blend of cultures, religions and walks of life. There is always some sort of celebration going on and whether or not it is our own, we are usually more than happy to join in the fun as well!
But what happens if your child seems to get more excited about other festivities and doesn’t show the same level of enthusiasm for the ones your family do celebrate?
What is it about Christmas, Halloween or the Lunar New Year that seems to be more appealing to the little ones?
Is it the colourful decorations seen around town, shopping malls, schools and other public spaces? Or the upbeat and catchy tunes played on the airwaves? Perhaps it’s the influence from watching special festive-themed episodes of their favourite cartoon on TV?
But Hari Raya Puasa activities (also known as Eid ul Fitr) can be just as fun and exciting too. So if you want to improve your child’s Eid experience, just check out this great list of festive activities!
Read poems and stories about Hari Raya Puasa to your child so she can understand more about this celebration
1. Read storybooks
Reading to your child on a regular basis is not only a good way to bond, but it also plays a part in helping with her brain development.
You can borrow books from the library specifically about Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa activities/ Eid ul Fitr, or buy them from selected bookstores.
We recommend: Hassan and Aneesa Love Ramadan by Yasmeen Rahim, Welcome Ramadan! by Lila Assiff-Tarabain, I’m Learning About Eid-ul-Fitr by Saniyasnain Khan, Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with Ama Fatima by Fawzia Gilani-Williams.
2. Cook and bake together
Whatever celebration it may be, everyone always looks forward to tucking into the delicious festive feasts!
Get your kids involved in cooking the special family meal, or try their hand at whipping up some delectable sweet treats.
This will make them more willing to try the food they prepared and also appreciate the meal once it is finally ready to eat.
If you’re not in a whizz in the kitchen, you can also make Raya extra special by ordering themed food!
3. Decorate the house
Deck the halls with hanging ketupats, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Get into the mood for Hari Raya Puasa activities. Let your kids help you decorate the house according to the festive theme.
This can include fairy lights, buntings, tablecloths, cushions, signages, lanterns, streamers, and more.
You can use any tree or plant for your Raya Blessings tree
4. Get a Raya Blessings tree
Most children (and even adults) are fascinated by beautifully decorated Christmas trees — so why not get your very own Raya tree instead where you and your munchkins can happily decorate together?
There isn’t a specific kind of tree you have to stick to, so be creative and use whatever suits your home’s decor and your own personal taste — or you can even just decorate your favourite potted plant that you already have!
However, instead of putting presents for the family underneath the tree, keeping in line with the spirit of Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa activities, it should be recognised as a Blessings tree.
So instead of ornaments and streamers (or in addition to), get decorative notes for your whole family to write special messages on and hang up.
Raya Blessings tree ideas: Write down everything you are grateful and thankful for; Hang up people’s names you would like to pray for; Include various good deeds you could each do; Print out your favourite Quranic verses.
5. Exchange greeting cards
Remember when you were a kid and would eagerly wait for the postman to come to deliver the mail, with the hopes that perhaps there was a letter – or better yet, a parcel – for you?
But in the modern age of technology and gadgets, it seems like festive greetings and well-wishes are mainly sent electronically either on a mobile phone, via email, or shared on social media.
Call us old-fashioned, but snail mail is still pretty fun (unless you receive a bill in the mail that is), and your child will find joy in creating her very own Hari Raya Puasa activities cards and mailing it out to her friends and relatives.
Encourage the recipients to return the favour by sending your little one a card too and watch how her face lights up when she finds out there is a special delivery in the postbox with her name on it!
Hari Raya Puasa just doesn’t seem complete unless you go to the Geylang Serai Ramadhan Bazaar
6. Go to a Ramadan bazaar
Going to a Ramadan bazaar can help you get in the Raya mood. Several bazaars across Singapore have bright lights, familiar jingles and Hari Raya needs for sale.
The popular ones are usually outdoors and smaller ones are held at shopping malls.
You might also bump into someone you know and compare Raya goodies you’ve bought for this festive occasion.
7. Get a henna tattoo
You’ve seen some brides get henna tattoos for their weddings, and some women claim it also helps boost their fertility, but this traditional practice is also done to mark the end of Ramadan and beautify your body for Hari Raya Puasa.
Let your child choose her own intricate design and help her draw it on her hands and feet — or if you don’t have such a steady hand, just get an expert to do it.
However some boys might not be too keen on floral and heart motifs, so don’t be surprised if junior requests for a Batman logo or ninja stars instead!
Let your child listen to some upbeat Hari Raya songs or watch cute animated music videos
8. Play festive music
Forget listening to Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald, or even Despacito and blast some upbeat Hari Raya tunes when you’re in the car ride with your kids!
Put on the timeless classics as you’re baking Raya cookies over the weekend, or impress your older kids with these cool Raya beats with a modern twist.
There are also a lot of cute animated music videos of popular Raya songs for your children to watch during their screen time which will surely delight them.
9. Make some art & craft
Bring out the coloured paper, ice cream sticks, glitter and glue, because it’s time to have fun crafty fun with your little one.
Create beautiful works of art as part of the festive decorations, greeting cards to be given out to friends, or just because!
You can even help your child put together her very own Hari Raya activity book which will keep her happily occupied when you’re travelling to visit relatives.
“Eidi” are gifts you can give to kids during Hari Raya Puasa which can be money or presents
10. Give Eidi presents
In Singapore, we usually hand out money packets to children for their Eidi (token gift), but you can also opt to give them presents instead.
Gift-giving doesn’t have to be expensive, especially with a large family. Stick to a reasonable budget and wrap the gift creatively to make the kids happy.
For your own children, you can splurge on big-ticket items they need, like a new bag or bicycle helmet, as long as it’s within the budget.
11. Have an advent calendar
Your kids might have been tempted by those chocolate advent calendars they’ve seen at the supermarkets around Christmas time, so just borrow that idea and create your very own Ramadan advent calendar counting down to Hari Raya.
If your little one is also starting to fast, the advent calendar surprises will be a lovely treat for her to look forward to at the end of each day.
Have fun creating an advent calendar together. Keep the daily gift a secret for a lovely surprise. Fill it with messages of good deeds for your child to carry out, or even small tins of cat food to feed the stray kitties around the neighbourhood. It’s a season of giving during Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa.
You can also encourage your child to share her daily treats with her siblings, neighbours, or friends in school.
Advent calendar filler ideas: Chocolates, candy, stickers, magnets, good deed to carry out, small tins of cat food or bird food (to feed neighbourhood animals), seeds to plant, prayer beads, brooches, small toys, $1 coins.
Go door to door to share some delicious Hari Raya food with your neighbours
12. Share food with your neighbours
Spread the joy of Hari Raya by sharing some delicious food with your neighbours, whether or not they celebrate this occasion.
Think of it as reverse Halloween trick-or-treating where you and your kids get dressed up in nice new clothes and go around door to door handing out yummy treats.
You can also take this opportunity to invite your friends from the estate to join you for an Iftar (breaking fast) meal, or to your upcoming Hari Raya Open House event!
13. Create your own family traditions
Everyone has their own way of celebrating Hari Raya Puasa based on their background and preferences. As long as you remember the spirit of Ramadan, it’s up to you how to commemorate the occasion and make it fun for your children.
By creating your own family traditions, you will help with your little one’s cultural identity, provide familiarity, give her a sense of unity, all while strengthening your family bond.
So go on and teach your children about the beauty of Ramadan and the joy of Hari Raya!
5 Fun Hari Raya Puasa Activities to Enjoy in Singapore
Hari Raya Puasa is a special occasion for Muslims in Singapore. It is a time for friends and family to come together to celebrate. From traditional activities to modern events, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the festivities in Singapore. Here are five fun Hari Raya Puasa activities to enjoy:
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Visit a Ramadan Bazaar
One of the most exciting things to do during Hari Raya Puasa is to visit a Ramadan bazaar. These bazaars are filled with festive decorations, delicious food, and unique goods that are perfect for the occasion. Try some mouth-watering traditional dishes like satay, kuih, and rendang, and pick up some souvenirs and traditional clothes to wear during the celebrations.
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Decorate Your Home
Decorating your home for Hari Raya Puasa is a fun way to get into the festive spirit. Hang colourful banners and lights, set up traditional ketupat and lanterns, and put up flower arrangements to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Get your kids involved in the decorating process by having them make some paper decorations or helping to put up the lights.
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Make Traditional Snacks
Another great activity for Hari Raya Puasa is to make some traditional snacks. Spend an afternoon baking kuih tart, pineapple tarts, and other sweet treats that are popular during the celebrations. This is a fun way to bond with your family and create some tasty snacks to share with guests.
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Attend the Hari Raya Light-Up
Every year, Geylang Serai is transformed into a festive wonderland with colourful lights, traditional decorations, and a bustling night market. The Hari Raya Light-Up is a must-visit attraction during the Hari Raya Puasa celebrations. Take a stroll through the streets and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the festive season.
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Join the Hari Raya Festivities at the Istana
For a more formal Hari Raya Puasa celebration, head to the Istana for their annual Open House. This event is held on the second day of Hari Raya and features cultural performances, traditional food, and activities for all ages. The Istana is also decorated with beautiful Hari Raya decorations, providing a perfect backdrop for family photos.
How do you make Hari Raya more fun and exciting for your children? Will you be trying any of these ideas? Or do you have some other fantastic suggestions to share? Feel free to leave a comment below!
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Celebrate Hari Raya 2024: Indulge in Singapore’s Vibrant Ramadan Festivities
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