The 10 days of Dhul Hijjah with kids: a family plan

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic year, are among the best days of the whole year. This is when Hajj takes place, and it ends with Eid al-Adha. Many families put a lot into Ramadan, but these ten days often slip by unnoticed. With children, they're a wonderful chance for a second burst of good deeds.

Get ready before the month starts

• Check when Dhul Hijjah begins with your local masjid, since moon sighting can vary between communities.
• Plan one simple good deed for each of the ten days and write them on a chart.
• Decide on your Eid plans early, including the udhiyah (Eid sacrifice) if your family is giving one.
• Find a children's book or video about Hajj to share during the ten days.

A ten-day plan

1. 1

   Day 1: start the takbir

   Learn the takbir together. One common wording is: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd". Say it in the car, on walks and at home. Wording and timing vary a little between schools, so follow your masjid.

2. 2

   Day 2: tell the story

   Tell the story of Ibrahim, Hajar and Isma'il, and how Allah provided the water of Zamzam.

3. 3

   Day 3: charity

   Choose a cause together and give something, even a small coin from a child's own money box.

4. 4

   Day 4: help at home

   Each child picks a job to do without being asked. Serving parents is a great deed.

5. 5

   Day 5: Qur'an

   Learn or revise a short surah together, or read a few extra pages as a family.

6. 6

   Day 6: kindness to others

   Call a grandparent, make a card for a neighbour, or share food.

7. 7

   Day 7: build a Ka'bah

   Make a model Ka'bah from a box and talk through what pilgrims do on Hajj.

8. 8

   Day 8: extra prayer

   Older children can try praying two extra rak'ahs; younger ones can join you on the mat.

9. 9

   Day 9: the Day of Arafah

   The most important day. Spend time making du'a together, especially in the afternoon, while pilgrims stand on Arafah.

10. 10

    Day 10: Eid al-Adha

    Bath, best clothes, the Eid prayer, the takbir, visiting family and sharing the meat of the sacrifice.

Free printable

First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah Tracker

Tick off prayer, dhikr, Qur'an, du'a, sadaqah and helping at home for each of the ten days, with the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha marked.

Download free PDF ↓See both pages

The Day of Arafah

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah. Pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah making du'a, and for those not on Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged fasting on this day. He said that it expiates the sins of the year before and the year after (Sahih Muslim 1162). Children aren't required to fast, but older ones may like to try a practice fast for part of the day.

SunnahPanda tip

Ask everyone to write a du'a list on the morning of Arafah: one thing for themselves, one for the family and one for the whole world. Read them out together before Maghrib.

Eid al-Adha and the udhiyah

Eid al-Adha remembers how Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice what he loved most for Allah, and how Allah sent a ram instead. Families who are able give an udhiyah, a sacrifice of a sheep, goat, or a share in a cow or camel, and the meat is shared with family, friends and people in need. Today, many families pay a charity to carry out the udhiyah abroad, and children can help choose where it goes.

Ideas by age

• Under 5: the takbir song, a Ka'bah to colour or build, and a big Eid celebration.
• Ages 5 to 8: the ten-day chart, the Hajj story told a piece at a time, and a du'a list on Arafah.
• Ages 9 and up: a practice fast on Arafah, reading about each rite of Hajj, and helping organise the udhiyah donation.

Free printable

Ka'bah Colouring Page

A Ka'bah to colour while you tell the story of Ibrahim and Isma'il. Perfect for younger children on Day 7, or while older ones build their model.

Download free PDF ↓See both pages