How to Plan a Smooth Umrah Journey with Kids?
Umrah is a spiritual journey for Muslims that cleanses their soul and strengthens their relationship with Allah Almighty. They wait for the right time and might book in hurry when several Umrah packages are advertised by different agencies. Similar is the case with the Muslims living in the UK. Despite a very busy and hard life, they always spare their time and look for some affordable and comfortable Umrah Packages from UK to spend their vacations spiritually.
Most of the families in the UK like to plan Umrah with their kids. They want their kids to remember their Islamic values and roots despite living in a foreign land. Therefore, they consider booking Umrah packages from the UK to create a memorable experience for their kids. Heading for Umrah with kids can come with unseen hurdles. Therefore, families need to take essential steps to ensure a hassle-free holy journey. This blog can help families how to plan an easy and smooth Umrah journey with kids.
Educate Kids about Umrah and Its Purpose
The mind of kids is like a clean slate. Whatever we write on it, remains there for life. Therefore, it is essential to write productive and meaningful values that will transform their whole life. Muslim families living in the UK are always concerned about the education of their kids. They want to instil Islamic values and cultures in their personality to keep them connected to their roots. Hence, planning an Umrah journey is the best way to address this need. Therefore, parents must educate their kids about Umrah, its importance, and its purpose. Along with educating about Umrah, it is equally necessary to teach the kids how to behave in the holy land. Some important teaching can include:
- Not shouting in the holy mosques (Haram and Masjid-e-Nabawi)
- Avoid running
- Make dua
- Respect other pilgrims
- Talk politely
Keep Essential Items of Kids Wisely
Smartly planning an Umrah with kids will result in a lively and smooth experience. The most important step in doing so is to pack their luggage wisely. Packing essentials will vary as per the age group of the child. However, some necessary items can include:
Items of Baby Care
Travelling with babies is quite hard. It demands special time for packing their baby care items. These items include diapers, napkins, formula milk, purified water bottles, thermos to keep water at room temperature (if travelling in winter), cerelac, or other baby food.
Water and Other Food Items
Kids get hungry shortly. Therefore, keeping food items in their backpacks is always a smart idea to ensure they do not get low on energy during Umrah. Along with this, it is necessary to keep a lightweight water bottle for them. Because the weather is usually dry in Saudi Arabia and constant walking can dehydrate their bodies.
Cozy Clothing
If you are travelling in summer, then you must keep loose clothing items for your kids. The weather gets extremely hot in summer. Therefore, putting on light and loose clothes will keep your kids comfortable through the Umrah. But if you plan the holy journey in winter, the situation changes. Winter in Saudi Arabia is cool. Hence, you must keep warm and cosy clothes for your kids. They will keep them safe from cold weather.
Medicine and Vaccination
It is mandatory to get your kids vaccinated and properly checked. If doctors prescribe any medicines for and during the Umrah stay, parents must ensure to pack them first. Health is of utmost importance. If kids do not feel right during the journey, they cannot enjoy the Umrah trip. It can create problems for parents too.
Keeping Stroller and Baby Carrier
Umrah is a hard journey and demands continuous walking and in some steps, even running. So keeping strollers and baby carriers will make your holy journey smooth. Strollers are effective when you plan to go for ziyarat whereas, you can wear the baby carrier while performing sa’ee. Hence, to ensure a smooth Umrah trip for yourself and your kids, packing the above-mentioned essential kids’ items is really important.
Engaging Kids with Holy Lessons
When you are on an Umrah trip with your kids, try to make it fruitful for your kids. The best way to do so is to tell them the stories of prophets, the history behind building Ka’aaba, importance of praying in Hateem, and give them a know-how about other Ziyarat places. In this way, kids will remain engaged and will not create any hassle for the parents. Thus, parents can enjoy a smooth Umrah trip with them too. Another way to do so is by making them learn special duas and Umrah rituals. When you perform tawaf, keep their hand in your fist and take them along. This experience will get imprinted on their minds and they will cherish it lifetime. Similarly, parents can teach them duas that they will recite being in Haram. There are short duas too so they can learn easily. This learning will engage them, hence, they will ensure a smooth holy trip.
Planning out Kid’s Security
Haram is a crowded place. As many people have come there it becomes even more difficult for adults to keep in touch with their families let alone kids. Therefore, while taking kids to Umrah, parents must ensure their kids do not get lost in the crowd. For this purpose:
- They must always hold their hands.
- Make them wear identity cards on which their name, their parents’ name, hotel and room number, and phone number of parents are printed.
Sum Up
Umrah is a sacred journey for Muslims because our prophet (P.B.U.H) performed it 4 times in his life. Therefore, Muslims, following his footsteps, yearn to perform Umrah even for once in their whole life. Muslims from all over the world make efforts to travel to the holy land of Saudi Arabia to strengthen their bond with the Creator. It becomes rewarding when you plan it with your family, especially kids. Therefore, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free Umrah journey with kids, first of all, book your preferred Family Umrah Packages from the UK. It makes your mind free from flights and hotel bookings. Then start to pack the essential items for kids carefully, prepare them beforehand for the holy trip, engage them in spiritual stories, and map out an effective safety plan for them.