How to support your team and celebrate with children in meaningful, inclusive ways
Eid is one of the most important celebrations in the Muslim calendar and a special time for many families and educators in the early years sector. In 2026, both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha will fall within the academic year, making it a valuable opportunity for early years settings to celebrate diversity, support Muslim staff, and help children learn about different cultures in a gentle, age-appropriate way. Handled thoughtfully, Eid celebrations can strengthen relationships with families, help children develop empathy and curiosity, and show your team that their beliefs and identities are genuinely valued at work - not just acknowledged on a poster. This article explores how early years leaders can support staff around Eid and offers practical, child-friendly ideas to celebrate in a meaningful and respectful way.
Understanding what Eid means for families and staff
There are two Eids in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection and charity. Eid al-Adha is linked to pilgrimage and generosity and often involves family gatherings and sharing food. For many Muslim staff, Eid is a joyful but busy time. It may include:
- Attending special morning prayers
- Visiting extended family
- Preparing and sharing meals
- Giving gifts to children
- Hosting or attending community celebrations
This can mean early starts, late finishes, travel, and emotional energy - all on top of their usual responsibilities at work. Being mindful of this helps leaders and managers create a more supportive, understanding environment.
Supporting Muslim staff around Eid
- Be flexible where you can
If staffing allows, consider flexible start times, shift swaps or annual leave requests around Eid. Even small gestures - like allowing someone to arrive later after morning prayers - can make a big difference to how supported staff feel.
- Ask,don’tassume
Not all Muslim colleagues celebrate Eid in the same way. Some may want time off; others may prefer to work and celebrate at home later. A simple, respectful conversation, such as: “Would you like any flexibility around Eid this year?” opens the door without pressure or assumptions.
- Acknowledge Eid openly
A genuine “Eid Mubarak” (Happy Eid) from leadership goes a long way. A card in the staff room, a team message, or a short mention in a meeting helps staff feel seen and valued.
- Avoid scheduling big demands on Eid
Where possible, try not to book important meetings, training sessions or appraisals on Eid days. If this can’t be avoided, acknowledge it and offer alternatives where reasonable.
- Create space for cultural understanding
If your team is open to it, a short staff briefing about what Eid means can build understanding and reduce awkwardness. This isn’t about putting Muslim staff “on the spot” - it’s about creating a workplace culture where different celebrations are understood and respected.
Talking about Eid with young children
We know that the children in our settings are naturally curious. Celebrating Eid can be a beautiful way to introduce ideas of kindness, family, sharing and celebration without going into religious complexity. Keep it simple and relatable:
- “Eid is a special celebration for some families.”
- “People dress up, visit family, give gifts and share food.”
- “It’s a happy day, just like birthdays or other celebrations.”
Link Eid to themes children already understand - family, kindness, giving, and celebration.
Child-friendly ways to celebrate Eid in your setting
- Create a simple Eid celebration corner
Set up a small display with:
- Photos of families celebrating Eid
- Children’s books that include Muslim characters or festivals
- Simple decorations like stars, moons, and lantern shapes
Avoid stereotypes and overly “themed” décor - the aim is to reflect real families, not create a festival fantasy.
- Read stories that reflect real life
Choose books that show Muslim families celebrating Eid as part of everyday life. Stories that focus on family, generosity and joy help children connect emotionally with the celebration, rather than seeing it as something distant or “exotic”.
- Arts and crafts with meaning
Creative activities work best when they link to a simple story or value:
- Making Eid cards to give to friends or family
- Decorating paper lanterns or stars
- Creating “kindness tokens” to give to someone else
Frame these activities around kindness and sharing, which are central to Eid and easily understood by young children.
- Food experiences (with care and inclusion)
If appropriate for your setting, explore food as part of your celebration:
- Talk about how families share special meals
- Look at different types of bread or fruit enjoyed in various cultures
- Invite parents to share ideas (without pressure to provide food)
Always follow your setting’s allergy and food safety policies and avoid singling out families to “represent” a whole culture.
- Role play and small-world play
Add items to your role-play area that reflect celebrations:
- Dressing-up clothes for “special occasions”
- Toy food for family meals
- Small figures celebrating together
This allows children to explore celebrations in their own way through play, which is often more meaningful than adult-led activities alone.
Involving families in a respectful way
Parents are your biggest partners in making celebrations authentic and inclusive.
- Let families know you’ll be acknowledging Eid in the setting.
- Invite them to share traditions, photos, or simple ideas if they’d like to.
- Make it clear there is no expectation to contribute - inclusion should never feel like extra work for families.
This approach helps build trust and shows families that their culture is respected, not tokenised.
Linking Eid to your wider inclusion approach
Eid shouldn’t be a one-off tick box. The most meaningful impact comes when it sits within a broader culture of inclusion, where:
- Different festivals are recognised throughout the year
- Staff feel safe sharing their identities
- Children regularly see diverse families reflected in books, displays and play
- Celebrations are handled thoughtfully, not just for photos
When children grow up seeing diversity treated as normal and valued, they develop empathy, confidence and respect for others - skills that matter far beyond the early years.
A moment that matters
For Muslim staff and families, Eid is deeply personal. For children, it’s a chance to learn that the world is full of different celebrations, families and ways of living - and that’s something to be curious about, not confused by. When early years settings approach Eid with warmth, flexibility and genuine interest, it sends a powerful message: You belong here. Your culture matters. Your celebration is welcome. And that’s exactly the kind of message that builds strong teams, confident children, and inclusive early years communities.
Other articles:
Ramadan and Eid
Top 10 Facts about Eid ul-Fitr!
Religious Festivals Around The World
