Eid

What Is Hajj? 16 Activities to Teach Kids About Hajj

what is hajj? 16 Activities to teach your kids about Hajj

Eid al-Adha is almost here! We can use this special time to teach our kids what Hajj is and why it is so wonderful. Use these activities to not only teach your kids about this amazing journey, but to create meaningful memories and experiences. 

We can sometimes feel like our time for worship is diminished when we are doing chores or taking care of the kids. However, teaching them about Hajj can be filled with rewards when done with the right intention.

What is Hajj? 16 Activities to teach kids about HAjj

What is Hajj?

Abu Hurairah narrated that he heard Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) say:

“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Al-Bukhari)

Hajj is one of the five basic pillars of Islam, and it happens once every year during the month of Dhul Hijjah. Muslims from all over the world make their way to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Each Muslim must make this journey at least once in their lifetime, if they are able. Therefore, 10 days of this special month are celebrated by Muslims around the world in recognition of those performing Hajj.

However, just because you’re not making the blessed journey yourself, doesn’t mean you and your family can’t honour the pilgrimage at home.

Try these Hajj-themed activities to teach your kids what Hajj is and why it is so special. 

Sensory Activities

Hajj Sensory Bins 

These sensory bins from The Muslimah Guide are easy to make and fun to explore. Find stones to throw at the jamaraat with the Muzdalifah bin, pour water using the Zam Zam bin, and use the Safa’ and Marwah bin to tell your kids the story of baby Ismail.

Finger print painting

This activity designed by Muslim Kid Genius will show the wonderful diversity which exists within the tawaf ritual. Little ones will love getting their fingers in some paint! As a result, you can teach them about the unity of Muslims from all backgrounds walking around the Kabah together. 

Papier mâché kabah 

What is Hajj? 16 Activities to teach your kids about HAjj
Image Credit: https://imanbendjedidi.wordpress.com

What is a Hajj lesson without a Kabah activity? Using teamwork and the many cardboard boxes we save “just in case”, build your very own Kabah using this papier mâché method. You could use this Kabah for the tawaf ritual during the role play activity below. Scroll down for details!

Mixed media Picture 

Mixed media pictures are wonderfully fun to make, because you can literally use anything to fill your picture with texture. Little ones will particularly enjoy this activity, and even your older kids will be pretty impressed with the results. Check out this amazing picture from A Muslim Child is Born.

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Quiet Time Activities

Hajj ritual display

What is Hajj? 16 Activities to teach kids about Hajj
Image Credit: muslimlearninggarden.wordpress.com

Use items from around your house to set up a Hajj ritual display like this one from Garden of Knowledge. This is a great way to help your kids visualise the various rituals for the 5 days of Hajj. For kids who love Lego, set them a challenge to set up their very own Hajj Lego diorama like this one from Muslim Learning Garden. 

Transportation colouring sheets 

Discuss with your little ones the various ways someone can travel to Makkah. Explain how the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions travelled from Madinah to Makkah before we had planes and cars! Your kids can use various art supplies such as pastels, paints, and collage materials to make these transportation colouring pages fun and creative! 

Tracing pages 

Train those fine motor skills by giving younger kids these tracing pages from Muslim Learning Garden. You can discuss tawaf, pelting stones at the jamaraat, the tents in Mina and even the run between Mounts Safa’ and Marwah.

Reading time

An activity as effective as it is timeless, reading will always be a joy for your kids when you get involved. There are so many kids’ books online which cover the Hajj pilgrimage in a fun and beautiful way. 

Related: The 9 Best Children’s Books about Hajj

Get Crafty Activities

What is Hajj? 16 Activities to teach your kids about Hajj
Image Credit: acraftarab.com

Make an old Hajj map

Give old treasure maps a creative spin and talk to your kids about the different locations which are so important to the Hajj pilgrimage. Plus, you could use these maps in the role play activity below! Scroll down for details.

Kabah paperclip bookmark 

This activity from A Crafty Arab is brilliant because not only can your kids have a lot of fun making these paperclip bookmarks, they will make wonderful little Eid gifts from your kids to other family members. 

Mosaic art 

Teach your kids the wonders of mosaic art as they learn the patience and perseverance it takes to make something truly amazing! These Hajj-themed pictures will make great gifts. Plus, what child doesn’t like getting glue on their fingers?

Foam pilgrims

What is Hajj? 16 Activities that teach your kids about Hajj
Image Credit: helloholydays.com

Teach your kids about ihram (the garment pilgrims wear on Hajj) by making these amazing foam pilgrims from Hello Holy Days. Your kids could use them as props for role play or when using their Hajj displays from the activity above. 

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Group Activities

Role play

Get the whole family involved and role play the rituals of Hajj, just like this post from Multicultural Motherhood. This can be done inside or outside. If you’re inside, use a different room for each location. Use your maps and your papier mâché Kabah from the activities above!

Sheep cupcakes 

What is Hajj? 16 Activities to teach your about Hajj
Image Credit: landolakes.com

Make some delicious cupcakes for Eid al-Adha. These sheep cupcakes will be lots of fun to make and the whole family can join in and decorate them. Try using some gummy sweets from the Halal Sweets Company, and don’t forget to stock up on Halal marshmallows. 

STEM Day 

Using these 4 challenges from The Muslimah Guide, let your older kids put their engineering skills to work. Using these challenges as a guide, you can have a Hajj-themed building competition. Complete with prizes, of course!

Family Quiz 

It’s time to put all your Hajj knowledge to the test – as a family. Host a Family Quiz Night using these questions from Education Quizzes. Switch up the fun by letting your kids hold the question cards and test YOUR knowledge!

Related: 7 Delightful Children’s Books about Eid

Islamic Studies for kids

Have fun!

The most important aspect of this special time is to have fun with your kids. Use these activities to create positive associations with Islamic learning and bond at the same time.

If you try any of these activities with your kids, make sure you take a photo and share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #ourmuslimhomeschool so I can see it!

For more resources and activities, check out the Our Muslim Homeschool Free Resources Library. It has hundreds of Educational resources to teach children about Islam, including Hajj!

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Children’s Eid Party Ideas

Children's Eid Party Ideas

It doesn’t get more exciting for your children than this…Eid Party Ideas for kids! Eid is a time to come together with loved ones and celebrate the Blessings in our lives. These fun times are memories that our children will hold onto for years to come.

Children’s Eid party’s do not need to be expensive or extravagent to be enjoyed by your kids. In this blog post we will give you ideas and inspiration, whatever your budget may be.

Children's Eid Party Ideas

Children's Eid Party Ideas

Here are our 5 great ideas for your children’s Eid party!

3D Eid Gift Wrap

As if your kids weren’t excited enough about getting their Eid presents, why not decorate the wrapping paper with this 3D gold mosque motif!

Eid gift wrap Children's party ideas

Photo Credit: MarthaStewart.com

For full instructions on how to create this beautiful design on your gifts, CLICK HERE.

Eid Dessert Table

If cakes and desserts don’t get your kids excited, I don’t know what will! Make the dessert table the centre-piece of your home this Eid! Fill it with sweet treats, cakes and a few healthy options too.

This photo is from Eid Al-Fitr at my home last year. As you can see, it didn’t take up a lot of space, but it looked wonderful!

We decided to go for a gold, black and white colour scheme, and picked up on these colours in the desserts themselves. The decorations were purchases from  Silver Lining.

Children's Eid Party Dessert Table

We included vanilla cupcakes decorated with stars, fruit skewers of black grapes, pineapple, raspberries and melon, as well a watermelon cut into Ramadan themed shapes!

Children's Eid Party Melon Dessert Table

To cut the water melon, we used a cookie-cutter set that was sent to me by the Islamic gift shop Silver Lining

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Eid Party Crackers

Your children will love pulling open these festive Eid crackers during their meal. You can fill these crackers with date balls, chocolate coins or even a little toy!

Children's Eid Party idea Crackers

Photo Credit: MarthStewart.com

For full instructions on how to make your own Eid DIY crackers, CLICK HERE.

Eid DIY Balloon Column

Amaze your kids and guests with this statement Eid decor that is easy and inexpensive to create.

Your children will adore it! It would look at home in a more elegant “grown-up” Eid party.

Balloon column Eid Party Ideas for Children

Photo Credit: Waafia

To find out how to create this incredible Eid Balloon column, WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Eid Party Favour Bags

End the day right, by sending home your guests with Eid party favour bags. Inside you could give out sweets, dates or a small toy.

You can make the party bags themselves really special by decorating them at home. For a simple design, attach the bags to colourful helium-filled balloons to create an instant Eid display.

Eid Party Ideas Favour Bags

Photo Credit: Architecture Art Design

For more information on this design idea, click HERE.

If you have some more time, you could add a mosque motif to the front of each bag. Don’t these look incredible!

Eid Party Ideas Mosque Favour Bags

Photo Credit: HelloHolyDays

Full Instruction for these Paper Bag Mosques can be found HERE.

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Those were our 5 Children’s Eid Party Ideas!

Children's Eid Party Ideas

How do you decorate your home for Eid?

Do you have any ideas for party games?

Please leave your ideas in the comments below!

Finally, I would like to wish everyone of you “Eid Mubarak!” I hope and pray that you and your family have a beautiful Eid.

Peace and Love,

Dr Gemma Elizabeth

 

Eid for Kids | Multicultural Kid Blogs

This post is part of the Eid for Kids blog hop from Multicultural Kid Blogs. Read all of the articles below for ideas on celebrating Eid with kids, and don’t miss our blog hop from last year!

Participating Blogs

Babelkid on Multicultural Kid Blogs: How to Celebrate Eid in Switzerland the Algerian Way
A Crafty Arab: Eid Baked Rocks {Tutorial}
Jeddah Mom: Free Printable Eid Envelopes to Gift Your Eidi
Middle Way Mom: 4 Ways to Simplify Your Eid
All Done Monkey: Vegan Dessert for Eid
Our Muslim Homeschool: Children’s Eid Party Ideas

Find even more ideas on our Eid for Kids board on Pinterest:

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7 Delightful Children’s Books about Eid

Eid Books for Children

Eid is a time for celebration! Muslims across the world come together with friends and family to pray, share food, give gifts and be thankful for the Blessings in their lives. Reading children beautiful stories about Ramadan and Eid is one way we can encourage our children to be excited about Eid, as well as teaching them that Eid is about more than just presents!

Eid Books for Children

However, let’s be honest, celebrating Eid in non-Muslim countries can sometimes be a bit of a let down!

Although Muslims may be celebrating, the majority of the country is not! Children still have to go to school and parents head off to work! Depending where you live, there are no festivities in the streets, no fireworks, and no community meals. If you do have these things where you live, you are fortunate. The truth is, many families experience Eid in isolation.

We want out children to experience the excitement of Eid morning and to feel the anticipation leading up to the day.

Many of these books touch on the idea of giving; giving to friends, neighbours and those less fortunate.

One of the most significant ideas that runs throughout these books is the concept of Muslim identity. By emphasising the importance of Eid, particularly over other national holidays, you are reinforcing the child’s sense of Muslim identity. We want our children to be confident and proud of their Muslim identity, and I believe that reading Muslim children’s literature is one way of achieving this.

This is my list of 7 delightful Children’s Books about Eid! Some of them are about Eid al-Adha, some abot Eid Al-Fitr but most could be used for either holiday.

Take a look through my list. Perhaps you will find something your family will enjoy!

Children's Eid Books

Sweet dates to Eat

This delightful picture book by Jonny Zucker is a simple introduction to Ramadan and Eid for young children. As you follow this family through each day, you see how they fast, visit the masjid and celebrate Eid.
The sweet hand-drawn illustrations add to this book’s heart-warming nature.

Children's books about Eid: sweet dates
Sweet Dates to Eat is suitable for children aged 2+

 

Hassan and Aneesa Celebrate Eid

The Hassan and Aneesa series by Kube Publishing follows the life a young Muslim family in the West. In this particular book, the family prepare the night before for the Eid festivities, get ready for and attend the Eid prayer, and celebrate with their family at home. The scenes in this book as so familiar to many of us, that children will instantly relate to what is happening in the story.

This book is the perfect way to get younger children ready for Eid, and prepare them for what will happen on the day.

Hassan and Aneesa Celebrate Eid is suitable for children aged 2+.

 

Eid by Maria Migo

This book is set to become a classic for every Muslim household! Eid is the story of two siblings, as the watch with anticipation for the moon of Eid.

It follows their story through an exciting Eid day. The illustrations in this book are utterly charming and I’m sure your younger children will love it!

Children's Books for Eid

Eid by Maria Migo is suitable for children aged 2+

 

An Eid for Everyone

This is my daughter’s favourite Eid book! She adores the vibrant colour illustrations and seems particularly fond of the character Yasmin!

An Eid for Everyone is the story of a group of children and their different experiences of Eid. Whilst some help their mother’s in the kitchen, others are wrapping presents, and others getting ready in pretty clothes! The group of children meet at the mosque and later go to distribute gifts to the poorer families in their community.

Muslim childrens books about Eid: An Eid for Everyone

An Eid for Everyone is suitable for children aged 2+.

 

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr

Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr is a 4 chapter picture book that follows Rashad and his experiences in Ramadan. What is really special about this book is that it emphasises some of the deeper meaning of Ramadan, with chapter entitled “Thinking about Allah” and “Thinking about People”.

This charming book is available in paperback, on Kindle and even as an Audiobook through Audible.

If you haven’t tried Audible, you can sign up for a FREE 30-Day Trial HERE, and listen to Rashan’s Ramadan for FREE!

 

The Best Eid Ever

This is the story of  Aneesa, a young girl who is staying with her Grandmother while her parents perform the Hajj. On Eid day she meet two refugee girls in the mosque and learns more about their war-torn country. Aneesa can’t stop thinking about them and want to make it their Eid the best Eid ever!

The Best Eid Ever is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old.

Ilyas and Duck and the Fantastic Festival of Eid al-Fitr

You can always rely on Ilyas and Duck to bring action and laughs in every book! This action packed adventure follows Ilyas and his crazy, but lovable, duck on Eid day. They learn about the importance of the day, and why Muslims celebrate it.

Books about Eid for children Ilyas and duck

Ilyas and Duck and the Fantastic Festival is sure to have your children giggling, and is suitable for children aged 4+.

Eid Childrens Books

Eid books for kids

 

Those were our 7 delightful children’s books about Eid!

All these were many in this list, there are many more! Perhaps you have some other books about Eid on your shelves at home!

What is your family’s favourite children’s book about Eid?
Please let us know in the comments below!

Peace and Love,

Dr Gemma Elizabeth