Hajj and Umrah are much anticipated and blessed acts of worship that everyone wants to undertake as a family. There is no denying that Hajj and Umrah for children or with children have their challenges. But overcoming them and having a faith-reviving journey with your kids is worth it.
Everyone wants to experience the spirituality and sanctity of the pilgrimage sites with their kids. So, if you think it might be complicated, you can just put some effort and put your trust in Allah to make the journey easier and more memorable. Seeking help from Him in every matter is the trait of every believer. So, stop stressing out and plan your Hajj and Umrah with your children. You will be surprised to know how easy it can be once you get help from the Almighty.
Also, you must understand that countless US families like yourself plan their Hajj and Umrah every year and successfully perform the pilgrimage with their kids. Therefore, you can do it too. We are here to help you plan an unforgettable and smoother pilgrimage with your kids soon.
Tips for Parents Going for Pilgrimage with Their Children
- Book the Perfect Hajj or Umrah Packages
Planning for family travel has different requirements, from the flight to the accommodation. Usually, everyone gets a Hajj or Umrah package to facilitate their pilgrimage. These packages save you a lot of hustle as they contain a variety of standard services like visa, accommodation, and flight. What can be better than not booking everything separately after browsing countless options?
So, if you have already availed of Umrah packages 2025, you will not have to worry about everything separately. However, it is essential to understand that even the standard services vary, and if you are travelling with your family, you will need specific pilgrimage packages. You must get the packages that offer accommodation for families. And if you have specific special requirements to ensure a smoother experience with your kids, you can customize your packages.
- Teach Your Children About Hajj and Umrah
Before you take your kids to sacred pilgrimage sites, ensure they know their sanctity and significance. Moreover, you can help them learn about these pilgrimages, their obligations, rules, rituals, and importance. Teach them the importance and blessings of tasting the closeness of the Almighty. All Muslims yearn for such an experience, and they tell them that no one should ever miss out on such a golden opportunity.
You can show them some interactive videos and activities to keep them interested in the lessons about Hajj and Umrah. While preparing these lessons or watching these videos with your kids, you will also learn a lot about the Hajj and Umrah rituals. This can be an enlightening experience that will contribute to your spiritual journey.
- Take Necessary Immunization Measures
You must take their vaccinations seriously to protect your kids from viruses and bacteria from all over the world who travel with the pilgrims. You must make sure not to compromise on your kids’ health no matter what. People usually become concerned about their health when participating in such vast and diverse crowds. This concern arises while traveling with older people or children, as they have weaker immunity.
You won’t want your kids to fall sick during the pilgrimage. This will not only affect their health but also hinder their pilgrimage journey. Some vaccines you and your kids might get before traveling to KSA for Hajj or Umrah include meningitis, yellow fever, coronavirus, etc.
- Prepare for the Weather Conditions in KSA
We can all agree that kids are more sensitive to the weather. Even weather that might not bother us as much might significantly affect them. So, you must plan your journey keeping the weather conditions of KSA in mind. Considering the desert climate of KSA, you can expect summer to be very hot. Therefore, you must carry light clothes for your kids and prepare them for such weather conditions.
You can also keep a portable fan with you for places where you might not get air conditioning or fans so that the kids are comfortable and are not too affected by the weather conditions. Make sure to keep extra clothes for the children and pack comfortable shoes. While traveling during the winter, you must carry extra layers to keep yourself and the kids warm.
- Take Extra Clothing for Cold Nights in Muzdalifah
Staying the night at Muzadalifah, under the open sky, is an obligatory Hajj ritual. You must know how cold it gets during the Hajj season of your year in Muzdalifah and prepare for the weather accordingly. Usually, it gets chilly during the night in the area, especially in the winter or the transition season in KSA. So, when you have to spend the night in the open with your children, you must ensure that you have extra layers of clothing or a blanket. You can also carry something warm for your kids to eat or drink to keep them warm.
- Make Sure to Know About All the Facilities for Kids
We know the vast size of the Hajj and Umrah crowds. KSA has always ensured the provision of necessary facilities for Almighty’s guests. Their goal is to provide the smoothest and most memorable pilgrimage experience to everyone being the host. Hajj and Umrah crowds involve people of all ages, and the Saudi authorities try to provide necessary facilities to everyone, whether they are elderly people or kids.
So, make sure to learn about all the facilities that will be available to your kids to ensure that you have a comfortable pilgrimage experience. You can also ask your travel agency about such facilities. Usually, these facilities include baby changing areas, specific areas to feed the babies, and even wheelchairs for the kids if they tire.
- Carry a Travel Pillow, Gadgets, and Toys on the Road
Hajj and Umrah require traveling long distances within the two sacred cities. Traveling usually makes the kids irritable and tired. So, ensure your kids are comfortable while traveling, or they might get cranky and sick. Carrying a travel pillow surely helps the kids sleep on the road. This way, they can rest before arriving at the pilgrimage sites to be fresh during the rituals.
Other things you must carry while on the road are some items to keep the kids busy. You can take a tablet or any other gadgets your kids use or that will keep them busy. If you have a toddler or a baby, you can even carry some toys they love so they can play on the road.
Final Words
Performing Hajj and Umrah with children has its challenges, but this has never stopped anyone from planning this spiritual retreat with their kids. It does require more planning and preparation, but the experience of visiting the sacred places as a family is worth all the hustle. So, it is time that you start preparing for this faith-reviving journey. If you are going for an Umrah, apply for a tourist or an Umrah visa as soon as possible. But if you want to go for a Hajj, wait for the Hajj season and get the Hajj visa. Getting a visa is the first step of your trip. You can do everything else afterward. Remember the things mentioned earlier while planning and preparing for your journey.
Leave A Comment