The short answer: fasting becomes obligatory when a child reaches puberty. Before that, children are not required to fast, but it is good to train them gently, for example with half-day or weekend fasts from around age 7 to 10, so that by the time it is obligatory, fasting is already familiar.
How the Companions trained their children
In Sahih al-Bukhari, Rubayyi' bint Mu'awwidh described how the Companions had their young children fast on the day of Ashura, and made them toys of wool so that if a child cried for food, they gave them the toy until it was time to break the fast. The lesson for parents: encourage, distract and make it a family occasion, but never force a young child.
A step-by-step way to build up
| Age (roughly) | What many families do |
|---|---|
| 4–6 | Join suhoor or iftar, and "fast" from snacks or sweets for part of the day |
| 7–8 | Half-day fasts, from suhoor until lunchtime, on a few days |
| 9–10 | Weekend full fasts, and more half days on school days |
| 11+ | Most days, building towards all of Ramadan as puberty approaches |
Every child is different. Health, weather and long fasting days (Ramadan 2027 falls in February, with shorter days in the UK and Europe) all matter.
When a child should break the fast
Children who are not yet obligated to fast should stop if they feel dizzy, faint, unwell or very weak. If a child has a medical condition, speak to your doctor first. A child who breaks a practice fast has done nothing wrong; praise the effort.
Suhoor and iftar tips
- Suhoor: slow-release food such as porridge, eggs, wholemeal bread and fruit, plus plenty of water. Avoid very salty food.
- Iftar: start with dates and water, as the sunnah teaches, then a proper meal rather than lots of fried snacks.
- Water between iftar and sleep: little and often.
School days
- Let the school know your child is fasting, especially on PE days.
- Half-day fasts usually suit school days for younger children.
- Keep after-school time calm: Quran, rest and helping prepare iftar.
Making the first fast special
- A small celebration at iftar, a certificate or a special meal.
- Let them choose the iftar menu or the dates.
- Tell them the reward: the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward will have their previous sins forgiven (Bukhari and Muslim).
See also the Ramadan Quran plan for kids and Ramadan activities for kids.
Our Ramadan Quran classes for kids move to times that suit fasting families, and you can book 3 free trial classes.
