Ramadan Craft # 4: Ramadan & Eid Crib Toy

Assalamu alaikum,

This craft idea is for infants 6 months and older who have or are developing the ability to grasp objects. It's a.....what should I call it? Okay, it's a Ramadan crib toy. At first I thought it could be used as an exploration toy for infants 6 months and older because it is purposely filled with plastic beads so that it makes a rattling noise. But then I thought - choking hazard - and most infants in this age category have an interesting taste for.....paper, and this might go right into their mouths.

So I scratched the rattle/exploration toy idea. But if you hang this over the crib and suspend it with a bungee cord-like string about 10-12 inches from you're baby's line of vision, your infant can work on focusing on an object and work on his/her hand-eye coordination insha'Allah. The colour red was chosen on purpose because it is the first colour that human beings are able to perceive and this will make the focusing part of the activity easier insha'Allah. Your baby will make attempts (after focusing on the red and blue masaajids) to grab the toy insha'Allah. Soon, they will successfully get it in their grasp and this is a good thing! Because it's on a bungee cord, it will spring back out of their grasp and then they will begin again. Great hand-eye coordination practice for baby and it's got a Ramadan twist to it. The side with the red masjid says, 'Ramadan Mubarak' and the side with the blue masjid says, 'Eid Mubarak'.

Here's what it looks like and then we'll move on to what you need to make it insha'Allah.

The blue side (but you can't see the writing because of the glare..oops!)

And here is what you'll need to make it insha'Allah:

• Paper Plate
• Scissors
• Craft Foam
• Non-Toxic Glue
• Some thing to fill the inside (non-food item) that is too large to be a choking hazard.
• Bungee cord
• Hole puncher
• Fine tip permanent marker

How to make it insha'Allah:

* Cut two identical circles from the paper plate (you may need 2 paper plates depending on how large you want to make it). Write the words 'Ramadan Mubarak' on one circle and the words, 'Eid Mubarak' on the second circle with a fine tip permanent marker.
* Using the craft foam, cut two masaajids out, one blue, one red. Glue them to the circles. Allow to dry.

* When dry, take both circles and apply glue to the bottom half of each (the bottom crescent shape of each circle). Allow to dry.
* When the glue is dry, insert the beads or other item you choose insha'Allah, into the circle. Glue closed and allow to dry.
* Using a hole-puncher, punch a hole through the top of the circle and insert bungee cord.
* Hang above crib securely insha'Allah.

Note of Caution: If you have an older infant and you allow him/her to handle this toy, supervise the infant very closely insha'Allah. I actually would not recommend allowing the toy to serve as anything other than a crib toy that is safely and very securely attached 10-12 inches above the crib insha'Allah.

Islamic Note: Please do not use food items to fill the toy. Unfortunately, many crafts use food items and this is not recommended because it is a waste of food. Please remember that during this month of Ramadan when we are abstaining from food, insha'Allah, we remember that there are many around the world who, daily, want for food and many times, water, and not only for one month of the year. Please use non-food items in this and all craft activities insha'Allah. Jazakum Allahu Khayran.
Enjoy insha'Allah!