Performing Umrah is a lifelong dream of every Muslim. However, this experience can become overwhelming by having children on this expedition. This is a journey that requires complete devotion and concentration and having kids on this journey can take away some of that experience. However, you can avoid these troubles by following some useful tips for performing Umrah with kids. We’ve compiled a helpful guide with precautionary measures to follow when performing Umrah with children to avoid any inconvenience during your pilgrimage.

Tips for Performing Umrah with Kids

Here are some tips to follow when performing Umrah with children to have a pleasant experience:

Bring One Child Only

The first and foremost consideration is to take only one child of age under five years on your Umrah trip. If you bring more than one child along with you then managing your trip can become hectic and you’re likely to miss out on having the full pilgrimage experience.

Arrange ID Cards

It’s vital to arrange the ID cards of your children beforehand to avoid any trouble later on. Make sure the ID card of your child displays their full name, father’s name, phone number, and hotel name in bold letters. It’s important to ensure they wear it whenever they are outside. This practice comes in handy in case your child goes missing.

Only Bring the Necessary Luggage

Take only the required baggage with you to ensure you have a pleasant time during your Umrah trip. Try to use hand carriers and backpacks as they are easier to handle. Bringing too much stuff will make it hard for you to navigate during the trip while also managing your child. It’s best to keep your luggage as brief as possible.

Choose the Right Time for Performing with Kids

Makkah and Madinah are scorching throughout the year except for October, November, December, and January as the weather during these months is comparatively pleasant. Children get easily irritated in hot weather so choose anytime during these months for performing Umrah with kids.

Keep Kids in Female Area

During an Umrah trip, the male and female praying areas are separate, and kids usually stay with their mothers. To ensure their safety, it’s recommended to leave the children with their mothers. As there are likely to be other children in the female praying area, leaving your child there will ensure they remain happy and safe. Couples can take turns looking after their children by praying one person at a time.

Plan Ahead for Tawaaf and Sa’yi 

Tawaaf and Sa’yi are the most important rituals of Umrah. If you have a toddler with you then making Tawaaf will not be an issue as children can become engaged during their ritual by seeing so many people together. It’s recommended that you perform the tawaaf on the second level as it’s less jam-packed if your child is easily irritated by seeing many people. You can use wheelchairs if running or walking is difficult for you during Sa’yi.

Look into Engaging Activities for Children

Umrah has become more accommodating for people throughout the years. Pilgrims can book activities for their children to keep them engaged while they perform their holy rituals. Kids are allowed to feed the birds after the Sabah prayer. There are also Islamic classes for children that are organized after Asar and Maghrib prayers to help them learn more about the pilgrimage. Children of ages below six years are allowed to enroll in these classes daily after Asar prayer.

Keep Snacks with You at All Times

It’s essential to keep snacks for kids as there is no food arrangement for children in Haraam. As children get easily agitated if they’re left hungry for too long, it’s always best to keep something with you at all times. You can fill up a small bottle with Zamzam water to keep them hydrated during the rituals.

By using these basic yet highly effective tips, you can have the best experience while performing Umrah with kids. Planning ahead and paying attention to detail can save you from a lot of hassle with managing a cranky child and help you have a spiritually rejuvenating Umrah experience. For a truly devotional and spiritually rewarding Umrah experience, check out iLinkTours’s Family Umrah Package.