• The art and architecture of the Islamic world appeals to kids.ancient mosque image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
  
  Arts and crafts are a great way to learn about the Muslim faith. The Islamic world is filled with attractive architecture, colorful mosaics and beautiful calligraphy that appeals to both children and adults. Use Muslim arts to help Muslim kids explore their own tradition or to give a multi-cultural classroom a chance to explore experience Islamic traditions.
  
  

Itfar Plate

• Itfar is the traditional meal served at the end of the day during the fasting month of Ramadan. Itfar foods vary but often feature such traditional Mediterranean dishes as fatoush, olives and stuffed grape leaves. Have kids make their own Itfar plates. Use paper or plastic foam plates and have them draw pictures of their favorite Itfar foods with oil pastels or markers. Alternately, cut out pictures of different foods from magazines and place them on the Itfar plate.
  
  

Good Deeds Calendar

• Muslims perform good deeds during the month of Ramadan as a way to purify themselves. Have children choose three or four good deeds that they want to do. They could help out with extra chores around the house, for example, or volunteer to tutor other students. Have them write their good deeds in separate spots on the inside of a manila file folder. Draw a decorative pattern on the outside of the opposite side of the folder. Cut three sides of a square directly over each good deed to form a little tab that you can fold back. Finally, tape the folder closed so that the good deeds are hidden. During Ramadan, fold back the tabs to reveal your good deeds for the month.
  
  

Model Mosque

• Celebrate your faith by making your own mosque. Start with a cardboard box and cut out an arch for the entrance. Make minarets out of cardboard toilet paper tubes. Glue small pieces of colored paper to the mosque to make stained-glass windows or a mosaic above the entrance. Cover half of a balloon with paper mache and allow it to dry. Then, pop the balloon and use the hemisphere as a dome.