It’s that time of the year. Muslims across the globe are preparing to leave for Hajj. Some of us will not be performing the rituals of Hajj in Makkah this year. However, it is still important to utilise the valuable 10 days of Dhul Hijjah productively and inspire our kids to understand its significance as well.
So how do we keep the spirit of Hajj alive for our children during these precious days and make it a productive learning period for them? Here are 10 Hajj crafts for your children. Feel free to improvise (each child is unique!) and don’t forget to leave a comment to let me know which ones you tried/liked/enjoyed!
Day 1: Start with the story of Hajj
Begin by teaching your children the meaning behind Hajj. Print out this Hajj map and
For ideas to complement this activity, refer to Tj’s History of Hajj. Discuss each ritual briefly
Day 2: Learn about the Ka’bah
Depending on the age of the children, you can either make a pop-up Ka’bah card or a diorama to teach them the significance of the Ka’bah, its physical features, and important locations around it, etc.
Day 3: Read About Hajj
By now, the children have had some hands-on fun while learning about this pillar of faith. Next, it’s time to enhance this knowledge by poring over some well-illustrated books. Here are some suggestions.
- Tell Me About Hajj
This is a brief guide to understanding Hajj. Through diagrams and photographs, the history and practice of Hajj is presented in simple, informative style. It is an excellent resource for all topics related to Hajj. - Going to Mecca, written by Na’ima Roberts
This book follows the journey of a family living in the West. They make the journey to Mecca to perform Hajj. Through this story, the author takes the readers step by step through the journey and then returning back home. The illustrations are so cute that my five year old niece loves to look through the book.
Day 4: Memorize the talbiya
Color the image of Ka’bah and puppet figures found here. I would suggest sticking them on popsicle sticks. Then take the stick puppets around the Ka’bah while reciting the talbiya
labbaikallahumma labbaik
labbaika laa shareeka laka labbaik
innal hamda wan na’mata laka wal mulka
la shareeka lak
Meaning:
Here i am O Allah, here i amThere is no partner for You, here I am
Verily all praise is for You, and every bounty is from You, and all dominion is Yours
You have no partner
Day 5: Perform a mini Hajj
Now it’s time to practice what the children have been learning. It’s not the real thing, of course, but rather a way to embed the knowledge even more deeply.
Cover an empty cardboard box with a black abaya (to make a pretend Ka’bah) and dress your boys in two white bath towels and girls in a hijab.
Here’s an active Hajj song (by NoorArts) for the little ones to move their body to (sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain.”)
[Action to perform: Kids marching in the same spot]
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
We will all go to Mecca. We will all go to Mecca.
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
[Action to perform: Gesture two with your fingers]
We wear only two white garments on the Hajj. (x2)
We wear only two white garments (x2)
We wear only two white garments on the Hajj.
[Action to perform: Walk around the kaaba]
We will walk around the Ka’ba seven times. (x2)
We will walk around the Ka’ba. (x2)
We will walk around the Ka’ba seven times.
[Action to perform: walk back and forth between two pillars or points to indicate sa’ee]
We run backward and run forward on the Hajj. (x2)
We run backward and run forward. (x2)
We run backward and run forward on the Hajj.
[Action to perform: pretend to drink water]
We will drink the Zam-Zam water on the Hajj. (x2)
We will drink the Zam-Zam water. (x2)
We will drink the Zam-Zam water on the Hajj.
[Action to perform: pretend to throw pebbles]
We throw pebbles at the Shaytan on the Hajj. (x2)
We throw pebbles at the Shaytan. (x2)
We throw pebbles at the Shaytan on the Hajj.
We will sacrifice for Allah on the Hajj. (x2)
We will sacrifice for Allah. (x2)
We will sacrifice for Allah on the Hajj.
[Action to perform: Kids marching in the same spot]
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
We will all go to Mecca. We will all go to Mecca.
We will all go to Mecca on the Hajj.
Resource: Jannah Steps Blog
Day 6: “Adopt” a Hajji
- Ask around among your family and friends (or your local mosque) to find out who is performing Hajj this year.
- Request a meeting with them so your children can ask them about their preparations first hand.
- During the visit, you may ask if you can take them to the airport.
- A note for next month: When they return from Hajj, visit them again and hear their experiences about the Hajj.
Day 7: Learn the story of Zam Zam… from a well!
Video on story of Zam Zam hosted on Productive Muslim
This video explains the story of Zam Zam in simple language clear illustrations.
While the children are at it, help them memorize the dua to recite while drinking water from the well of Zam Zam. Also if possible, arrange for Zam Zam water for this activity.
Day 8: Hajj day by day
The Hajj day by day activity sheet, is just that. It takes you through the acts a pilgrim performs during Hajj.
Day 9: The sacrifice…of quilled sheep
Discuss the ritual sacrifice that the children have already learned about on day 3, but this time while making quilled sheep. (Doesn’t this make a cute Eid gift?)
You can find instructions for this simple craft on Family Fun.
Day 10: Eid banner
Decorate your home for Eid. You can make your own using the lettering here or just print a ready-to-hang one from Smart Ark (They have two versions: version A and version B.)
There you have it. 10 tips of first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Make these days count for your children. I hope you find the above ideas as beneficial teaching tools.
Leave a comment below with ONE craft or activity that you did with your children about Hajj. I’m looking forward to your ideas!
