Holiday calendars are an easy and interactive way for children to learn about any holiday. For Eid al Adha, make a children’s calendar in the shape of the Kaaba! This shape allows kids to visually understand that Eid al Adha marks the end of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Making this calendar is very simple. I wrote an activity for each day leading up to Eid and for the 3 days of Eid on index cards. Then I placed them in library card pockets (available at craft and office supply stores) which come with adhesive sticky backs so it’s easy to stick them onto a piece of foam core. Then, I sealed each pocket with washi tape.
During the holy days of Hajj, kids can open up one pocket a day and read out their activity for the day. (Small kids can be read their activity by their parents.) Kids complete their task each day for 9 days and on Eid, they get rewarded!
I’ve included 3 pockets for each day of Eid as well to help kids learn that, unlike most North American holidays, Eid isn’t just one day. On the first day of Eid, the index card gives direction on where the kids can find their small Eid gift. On the second day of Eid, the activity is it to help deliver meat rations to family and friends and those in need. For the third day, the activity I’ve included on the index card is to help cook using the Eid meat (we’re making beef fajitas!). Of course, you can customize each activity as you like per your child’s/ children’s age.
Materials
- 12 Gold/ black adhesive library card pockets (shown here are ones designed by Studio G, a brand found at craft stores across North America).
- Index cards to fit inside library card pockets
- Various gold alphabet and numeral stickers
- Gold washi tape
- Gold ribbon
- Black foam core board
- Marker
- Twine
- Tape
- X-acto knife
Steps
- Write down various age appropriate activities for children to do in the 9 holy days leading up to Eid al Adha on index cards with a marker. (For a list of activity suggestions, see my previous post here.)
- Insert index cards into library card pockets, fold flap down and seal with washi tape.
- Use alphabet or numeral stickers to number each bag. For the 3 days of Eid, place an E sticker for the first day, I for the second and D for the third.
- On a piece of black foam core board, lay out the pockets in 3 rows, with each row having 4 pockets. Space them out to look like a square and stick them to the foam core using the adhesive sticky backs.
- Use an X-acto knift to cut the foam core board into a square (foam core boards come in a rectangle size).
- Run a 2″ wide piece of gold ribbon between the 1st and 2nd row to resemble the Kaaba.
- Lastly, cut a piece of twine and tape it to the back side of the calendar for hanging.
Did you make this DIY of ours? We’d love to see it! Share with us on Instagram or Facebook @helloholydays.
If you make this DIY and share photos of your version on your own blog, please be sure to include a link back to this page as your source of inspiration and tag @helloholydays on all social media.
If reposting our picture, please be sure to give photo credit to Manal Aman and link back to Hello Holy Days!
All Hello Holy Days! ideas are for personal use only. Please do not create projects from Hello Holy Days for the purpose of selling them.
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