Bringing your children to Makkah is one of the most meaningful journeys a family can make, and it takes more planning than travelling alone. This guide to Umrah with children covers what parents most need to know: the right age, permits, ihram for children, Tawaf and Sa’i with a baby or toddler, safety in the crowds, health in the heat, and how to choose hotels and transport.

It is written for parents travelling with babies, toddlers or older children, whether this is your family’s first Umrah or you are returning with little ones for the first time. Official rules are linked to their sources, and practical tips are labelled as our advice.

The rulings (masa’il) in the ihram section follow the Hanafi school. They are taken from an answer published by Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami), listed in the Sources section below. This article is a general guide and is not itself a fatwa.

Table of Contents

Can Children Perform Umrah?

Yes. Children can come with their parents for Umrah, and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirms that children are allowed in the courtyards of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Every pilgrim performing Umrah needs an Umrah permit, booked through the Nusuk app, and family members are added to your account as companions or dependants.

Check the age rule before you book. At the time of writing, the Ministry’s official FAQ still lists five years as the minimum age for an Umrah visa or permit, in an answer worded around COVID-19 rules. Because this may not reflect current practice, confirm the rule for each child in the Nusuk app, or with the Ministry’s care centre on 920002814, before you pay for flights or hotels.

What Is the Best Age to Take Children for Umrah?

There is no single right age. What changes from one stage to the next is how much help your child needs, and how your days will need to be paced.

Age	What to expect	Our practical advice
Babies	Carried throughout; easier to feed and settle than toddlers	A soft baby carrier is usually easier than a pushchair (stroller) in crowded areas
Toddlers (1–4)	Often the hardest stage: they walk, run and tire quickly	Plan short visits around naps, and never let go of their hand in the mataf
Ages 5–9	Curious and able to walk further, but may tire during Tawaf and Sa’i	Explain each step before you go, and let them rest between rites
Ages 10 and over	Can usually follow the rites with guidance	Give them a small role, such as carrying the water bottle or keeping count of rounds

Our view: a calm, unhurried trip with a toddler is better than a rushed one with an older child. The pace you plan matters more than your child’s age.

Preparing Children Before You Travel

Documents, Visas and Permits

Each child needs their own valid passport and their own permission to enter Saudi Arabia. Visa routes depend on nationality and where you live, so check each child’s route in our Umrah visa guide.
Add every child to your Nusuk account and check each one’s permit before you travel.
Check the current Saudi Ministry of Health requirements for each traveller, including children, and speak to your GP or a travel clinic in good time.
Keep printed and digital copies of every passport, visa and booking, separate from the originals.

Explaining Umrah to Your Children

Children cope far better with crowds and long walks when they know what is happening and why. A few weeks before you travel:

Show them pictures of the Kaaba and Masjid al-Haram, so the size of the mosque does not frighten them on arrival.
Explain Tawaf simply: seven rounds around the Kaaba, starting from the corner of the Black Stone.
Tell them the story of Sayyidah Hajar running between Safa and Marwah in search of water for her son Ismail, so Sa’i means something to them.
Practise the Talbiyah together at home.
Agree the family rules in advance: always hold hands in crowds, and what to do if they lose sight of you.

For the full steps of Umrah, see our guide on how to perform Umrah step by step.

Ihram for Children (Hanafi Fiqh)

In Hanafi fiqh, children who have not reached puberty fall into two groups, and the rules differ between them. The rulings below are taken from Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami).

A Child Who Understands

A child who understands, meaning one who knows the difference between pure and impure and has some understanding of the deen, makes the intention of ihram and says the Talbiyah himself. The parent or guardian cannot make the intention on his behalf, and the child performs the rites of Umrah himself. If such a child leaves out certain acts, no expiation (kaffarah) is due on him.

A Baby or Young Child Who Does Not Yet Understand

A child who does not yet understand cannot perform the acts that need an intention. Instead, the guardian, such as the father or a brother, makes the intention of ihram and says the Talbiyah on the child’s behalf:

Intention: “Ahramtu ‘an [child’s name]”, meaning “I enter ihram on behalf of [child’s name]”.
Talbiyah: “Labbayk ‘an [child’s name]”, then the rest of the Talbiyah to the end.

The intention in the heart is the condition, and saying it aloud is recommended (mustahab), so there is no harm if it is not spoken. The Talbiyah, however, must be said aloud, at least loudly enough that you would hear it yourself if nothing prevented you.

Ihram Clothing for Children

Whether a child understands or not, he should not be dressed in stitched clothes in ihram. Dress him in the two ihram sheets, and keep him away from everything that is not permitted in ihram. If a child does wear stitched clothes, no dam (penalty) becomes due on him.

Questions this guide does not answer, such as ihram clothing for girls, nappies in ihram, or what to do if a child cannot finish Tawaf or Sa’i, depend on each family’s situation. Please message us on WhatsApp before you travel. We reply individually, in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, following Hanafi fiqh, and you can ask even if you are not booking with us.

Performing Tawaf and Sa’i with Children

Pushchairs in the Haram

Pushchair access in Masjid al-Haram is controlled by the Haram authorities and can be restricted in crowded areas, especially in the mataf around the Kaaba. Arrangements change with crowd levels, so ask Haram staff on the day where pushchairs are allowed, and bring a baby carrier so you are not left without an option.

Carrying Babies and Toddlers

A soft baby carrier or sling keeps your hands free and your child close in the crowds.
If staff direct pushchairs to an upper floor, allow extra time, as the route around the Kaaba is longer there.
Feed and change your child before you start, so you are not interrupted in the middle of the rounds.
For older children who tire easily, take a short rest between Tawaf and Sa’i rather than pushing straight through.

Childcare in the Haram

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah states that two childcare sites have been set up within the areas of the Grand Mosque for children under 12. Opening hours and locations can change, so ask at a guidance centre or Haram staff on arrival.

How to Keep Children Safe in the Crowds

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advises parents to put an identification bracelet on their child’s wrist and to avoid crowded times and places in the Haram. Alongside that official advice, these habits help:

Name and number: write your name, Saudi or roaming phone number and hotel name on the bracelet or on a card in your child’s pocket.
One meeting point: agree on a fixed spot, such as a numbered gate, and show it to your children when you arrive.
One adult per small child: in the mataf, each young child should be holding an adult’s hand.
A recent photo: take a photo of each child every morning, so you can show staff exactly what they are wearing.

If Your Child Gets Separated from You

Go straight to Haram staff or the nearest guidance centre; the Ministry lists nine guidance centres around the Grand Mosque. Missing-person reports are taken through the Enaya centre or the guidance centres around the Haram, and the Ministry’s care centre can be reached on 920002814. If your child is in danger or you need urgent help, call 911.

Health, Heat and Comfort

Makkah can be very hot, especially in summer. The Saudi Ministry of Health advises pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible and to drink fluids regularly without waiting until they feel thirsty.

Carry a refillable water bottle for each child, and offer water often.
Use an umbrella for shade outdoors, and plan outdoor walks away from the midday sun.
Keep a light layer for air-conditioned halls, hotels and vehicles, as the change in temperature can be sharp.
Follow the Ministry’s advice on your child’s hygiene and diet: wash hands often, and choose fresh, familiar food.
Bring enough of any medicines your child takes, with the prescription, and ask your doctor before travelling if your child has a health condition.

If your child shows signs of illness or heat exhaustion, stop, move to a cool place and seek medical help without delay. In an emergency, call 911.

Hotels and Transport for Families

Why Walking Distance Matters with Children

For families, the distance between your hotel and the Haram is the single biggest decision. A short walk means you can go back to your room for naps, meals and nappy changes, then return for the next prayer. A hotel further away usually costs less but turns every visit into a long outing with tired children. Read our guide to Makkah and Madinah hotels, or let us help through our hotel booking assistance; when you enquire, ask about family rooms, connecting rooms or extra beds where the hotel offers them.

Airport Transfers with Children

After a long flight, a queue for taxis with children, luggage and a pushchair is hard work. A pre-arranged Jeddah Airport transfer takes your family straight to your hotel, with meet and greet in arrivals subject to availability. Tell us in advance if you need child seats or extra luggage space for a pushchair; both are subject to confirmation.

Travelling Between Makkah and Madinah

The road journey between Makkah and Madinah is about 450 km and usually takes 4 to 5 hours. With children, private transport lets you stop when you need to, and rest stops can be requested. Coming from Madinah to Makkah, the vehicle can stop at Miqat Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) for ihram. See our Makkah to Madinah transport. If grandparents are travelling with you too, our guide to planning Umrah with elderly parents covers wheelchairs and mobility.

Private or Shared Transport?

Shared transport works for some groups, but it runs to a fixed timetable and children rarely do. Private vehicles are arranged through our transport providers, subject to availability, from sedans for small families to a Hyundai Staria, Hiace or GMC for larger ones. See private, family and group transport.

Packing Checklist for Umrah with Children

Passports, visas and printed copies for each child
Identification bracelet or card with your name, phone number and hotel
Soft baby carrier or sling, plus a lightweight folding pushchair if you want one for the hotel and outside the mosque
Ihram sheets for boys, with a spare set
Light, modest clothing and a spare outfit in your day bag
Slip-on shoes that are easy to take off at the mosque, and a shoe bag
Refillable water bottles, snacks and wipes
Nappies and changing items for babies
Any medicines your child takes, with the prescription
Umbrella for shade

Remember that scented products are not used in ihram. For the full list for every traveller, see our Umrah packing checklist.

Common Mistakes Parents Make

Booking before checking each child’s permit: confirm the current rules in Nusuk first.
Planning Umrah straight after a long flight: where possible, let young children sleep before you begin.
Bringing only a pushchair: if pushchairs are restricted, a carrier is the only way to keep your baby with you.
Choosing the cheapest hotel far from the Haram: the savings can cost you rest, prayers and patience.
Packing the day too full: keep ziyarat and long journeys off the day of your Umrah. Our ziyarat tours can be planned for a separate day.

Umrah with Children FAQs

Can I take my baby or toddler for Umrah?

Children can accompany their parents for Umrah, and they are allowed in the courtyards of both Holy Mosques. Age rules for children’s visas and Umrah permits have changed over the years, so check the current rule for your child in the Nusuk app before you book.

Can I use a pushchair during Tawaf?

Pushchair access in Masjid al-Haram is controlled by the Haram authorities and can be restricted in crowded areas, especially around the Kaaba. Ask Haram staff on the day where pushchairs are allowed. A baby carrier is the simplest option for Tawaf.

How does a baby enter ihram?

According to Hanafi fiqh as explained by Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami), a guardian such as the father makes the intention of ihram on behalf of a child who does not yet understand, and says the Talbiyah for the child, mentioning the child’s name. A child who understands makes the intention and says the Talbiyah himself.

Is there childcare inside Masjid al-Haram?

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah states that two childcare sites have been set up within the areas of the Grand Mosque for children under 12. Ask Haram staff or a guidance centre for their current location and opening hours.

What should I do if my child gets lost in the Haram?

Go straight to Haram staff or the nearest of the nine guidance centres around the Grand Mosque. An identification bracelet with your phone number, as the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advises, helps staff reach you quickly. In an emergency, call 911.

Can Makkahmadina arrange transport and hotels for families with children?

Yes. Makkahmadina is a team based in Makkah that arranges hotel booking assistance, Jeddah Airport transfers, Makkah–Madinah transport and private family vehicles through our transport providers. Child seats and extra luggage space are subject to confirmation. Send your dates, the number of travellers and your children’s ages on WhatsApp for a quote.

Sources

The ruling (masa’il) in the ihram section is taken from an Urdu answer by Dar-ul-Ifta Ahlesunnat (Dawat-e-Islami); no English version was available.

Plan Your Family Umrah with Makkahmadina

Start with three things: a hotel within easy walking distance, transport waiting when you land, and a realistic pace for your children. Tell us your travel dates, how many adults and children are travelling and their ages, and we will prepare a quote for your family’s arrangements in Saudi Arabia. Travelling from the UK? You can also see our family Umrah packages from the UK, or browse all Umrah packages.

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Umrah with Children: A Practical Guide for Parents

Can Children Perform Umrah?

What Is the Best Age to Take Children for Umrah?