Performing Umrah is always a deeply spiritual journey, but doing it with young children adds an extra layer of planning, patience, and preparation. In December 2023, we embarked on this blessed journey with our 4-year-old and 1-year-old, flying to Madinah first before taking the train to Makkah for Umrah. Here’s a recap of our experience, along with some tips on what to pack and how to make the journey smoother with little ones.
Arriving in Madinah
Madinah welcomed us with its serene atmosphere. The peace in Masjid an-Nabawi is something that words can’t fully capture. Since we had two little ones, we made sure to have a plan for our visits to the masjid, ensuring that they were comfortable and well-fed before heading inside.
Important Notes About Zam Zam in Madinah
- Zam Zam water is only available inside the masjid in water drums.
- Water drums and taps outside the masjid are not Zam Zam but regular Madinah tap water, which is not purified. If in doubt, always check for a sign that says ‘Zam Zam.’
Train Journey to Makkah
The train from Madinah to Makkah was a fantastic experience – clean, efficient, and far less exhausting than a long car ride. The kids were comfortable, and the journey allowed us to rest before the physically demanding Umrah.
The only issue we had was with luggage – we hadn’t looked at the size allowance before-hand (so very much our fault) and were asked to pay for the luggage to be sent separately. We then picked it up the day after, having to make another trip to Makkah train station so look at the website for luggage rules before travelling!
Performing Umrah with Young Children
Performing Umrah with little ones required patience and flexibility. The crowd can be overwhelming, and finding a balance between fulfilling our worship and ensuring the children were comfortable was key.
I had a foot injury just before we left, so I had to make adjustments like walking in shoes/slippers during tawaf. Sometimes, you have to do what’s best for your health, and I learned that it’s okay to adapt where necessary.
What Helped Us During Umrah
- Electrolyte chews throughout the journey kept us hydrated.
- Vitamin drinks daily ensured we stayed healthy.
- Electrolyte drinks on more strenuous days, like during Umrah, helped maintain our energy levels.
- Flask water bottle: I avoided filling it with cold Zam Zam, as drinking ice-cold water regularly can cause a sore throat. Sticking to the ‘Not Cold’ Zam Zam drums helped.
- Open foot socks with grip: I dislike being barefoot, so these were perfect for salaah, especially given the high foot traffic on the carpets.
- Heel gels: With my foot injury, these were a lifesaver for walking on bare marble.
Essential Packing List for Umrah with Kids
For the Adults
✅ Comfy musalla – Masjid carpets aren’t always the cleanest, and sometimes you won’t even find carpet, so having a comfortable prayer mat is a must.
✅ Hand sanitizer – We found a 100% alcohol-free one at Boots (with a Minion on the bottle, making it kid-friendly!).
✅ Skechers or comfy sole sandals/shoes – Walking in Makkah and Madinah is intense, so comfortable footwear is essential.
✅ Bag for shoes – A cheap drawstring bag works best as it folds into your masjid bag easily.
✅ Vicks and Olbas inhalers – The air conditioning is very drying on the throat, so menthol sweets and inhalers were lifesavers.
✅ Basic medication – Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and any regular medications you take.
For the Baby (1-Year-Old)
✅ Blanket/muslin cloth – Essential for laying her down during salaah.
✅ Vital Baby® HYGIENE™ AQUAINT® sanitizing water (50ml) – Found last minute in Boots, this was perfect for spraying her hands after touching anything.
✅ Bottle brush, fairy liquid, and Milton sterilizing tablets – Kept bottles clean and easy to manage.
✅ Small clean box with lid – Used for sterilizing bottles.
✅ Saline spray, Vicks, Calpol, and Bonjela teething gel – she cut her first two teeth in Makkah, so we were so relieved to have this packed!
✅ Formula and food pouches – Available at Bin Dawood but at double the price (only Nestlé brands).
✅ Nappies – Pampers was available but also double the price, so pack enough if you can.
✅ Bottle for Zam Zam – We brought a fresh bottle (£1 from Asda) for her to have small sips throughout the day.
✅ Layers – Madinah was quite cold at night, and Makkah’s Masjid had heavy AC. I’d dress her in a dress but add tights and a cardigan inside.
Final Thoughts
Both Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Haram have bag checks, so avoid carrying too much inside. With a baby, it’s unavoidable to have a bag, but I packed only what we needed for 1-2 salaah and used a small baby bag.
Performing Umrah with little ones isn’t easy, but with preparation and flexibility, it can be a beautiful, rewarding experience. Alhamdulillah, despite the challenges, we had an unforgettable journey. If you’re planning to go with young children, I hope these tips help make your trip smoother!
Have you performed Umrah with little ones? Let me know your experience in the comments!
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