Besides the existence of the blessed first ten days of the year Dhul-Hijjah, it equates to families’ time for some worship, thanksgiving, and good deeds.
The coworkers have a particular role to play in familiarizing their children with the beauty of these blessed days.
Whether your children are just going into Islamic teachings or have already been exposed to them, this is the time when they can grow and raise their gifts through small acts of kindness and devotion daily.
This is a small, practical guide filled with ideas and encouragement to have fun with your family during these days of Dhul-Hijjah. Do that, and a lifetime of cherished memories and traditions can be built along the way.
10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah Good Deeds Chart for Kids
What are the 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah?
These are the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, very special days when good deeds are extra beloved by Allah! It’s like getting bonus points for being kind and helpful! So here is a chart to help you do more good deeds daily:
Daily Good Deeds Calendar
Day 1: Start with Gratitude
- Say “Alhamdulillah” (Thank you, Allah) 10 times
- Thank your parents for something specialDraw or write 3 things you’re grateful for
- Help set the table for a meal
Day 2: Sharing is Caring
- Share your snack with someone
- Give away one toy to charity
- Help pack food for those in need
- Make a card for someone who might be lonely
Day 3: Prayer Power
- Pray all your prayers on time
- Make a special dua for your family
- Learn one new short surah or ayah
- Teach a younger sibling how to make wudu
Day 4: Kindness to Creation
- Feed birds or put out water for them
- Water a plant
- Be gentle with all animals you see
- Pick up litter to keep Earth clean
Day 5: Family First
- Help with one household chore without being asked
- Read a story to a younger sibling
- Call or video chat with grandparents
- Make your bed and tidy your room
Day 6: Dhikr Day (Remembrance)
- Say “SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar” 33 times each
- Learn what these beautiful words mean
- Decorate a dhikr chart
- Teach the dhikr to a friend
Day 7: Charity Champion
- Put coins in your charity box
- Donate clothes you’ve outgrown
- Help prepare charity bags
- Make dua for children who have less
Day 8: Knowledge is Power
- Read or listen to a Prophet’s story
- Learn 5 names of Allah
- Ask an Islamic question and find the answer
- Share what you learned with your family at dinner
Day 9: Day of Arafah (Extra Special!)
- Try to fast if you’re old enough (with parent permission)
- Make lots of dua – this is a powerful day!
- Say extra dhikr
- Forgive anyone who has upset you
Day 10: Eid ul-Adha!
- Wear your best clothes
- Say “Eid Mubarak” with a smile to everyone
- Share your Eid gifts or treats
- Thank Allah for these blessed 10 days
Bonus Good Deeds (Do Anytime!)
- Smile, it’s Sunnah and charity!
- Say “please” and “thank you.”
- Help carry groceries
- Let someone go first
- Make dua before sleeping
- Be patient when things are hard
- Say good things about others
- Listen when elders are talking
My Progress Tracker
Draw a star or smiley face for each day you complete!
Special Rewards
- Completed 5 days? You’re a Dhul-Hijjah Star!
- Completed 8 days? You’re a Dhul-Hijjah Champion!
- Completed all 10 days? You’re a Dhul-Hijjah Superhero!
Remember: Allah loves all good deeds, big or small. Even a smile counts! The best good deed is one done with a happy heart!
Parent Tip: Consider creating a physical chart with stickers, or printing this out for children to check off their deeds. Celebrate their efforts and remind them that Allah sees and appreciates every good deed!
At What Age Should Children Start Fasting on the Day of Arafah?
Islamic Guidelines
The Basic Rule
- Fasting is NOT obligatory for children until they reach puberty (baligh)
- This applies to Ramadan and all voluntary fasts, including the Day of Arafah
The Prophet’s ﷺ Guidance
The companions used to encourage their children to fast gradually:
- Starting with partial days
- Building up tolerance slowly
- Making it a positive experience with rewards and encouragement
- Age-Based Recommendations
Ages 5-7: Introduction Phase
- Not recommended to fast on full days
- Can do “mini fasts” (breakfast to lunch)
- Focus on understanding WHY we fast
- Participate in suhoor and iftar for the experience
Ages 7-10: Practice Phase
- Try “half-day” fasting until Dhuhr or Asr
- Some children may manage full days occasionally
- It should be their choice, not forced
- Stop if they feel unwell
Ages 10-12: Building Phase
- Many children can fast for full days comfortably
- Encourage but don’t pressure
Ages 12+: Preparation Phase
- Most can fast like adults
- Approaching the age of obligation
- Good time to establish the habit
- Still voluntary until puberty
Important Considerations
- Health First
- Every child is different, some 8-year-olds handle it better than some 12-year-olds
- Consider your climate (hot countries = more challenging)
- Check for any health conditions
- Hydration is crucial the day before
Signs to Break the Fast
- Excessive fatigue
- Headaches or dizziness
- Nausea
- Unusual irritability
- Any concerning symptoms
Making it Positive
DO:
- Make suhoor special and fun
- Let them choose whether to fast
- Praise their effort, even if they break early
- Have a special iftar treat ready
- Fast together as a family
- Explain the spiritual benefits
- Share stories of prophets who fasted
DON’T:
- Force or pressure them
- Compare with other children
- Make them feel guilty for eating
- Let them fast if they’re sick
- Ignore their physical complaints
- Make it feel like a punishment
Remember
- The goal is to build love for fasting, not hardship
- Every attempt counts as a good deed
- Allah rewards the intention, especially for children
- It’s training for a lifetime of worship
Should Kids Participate in Eid prayer?
The Islamic Perspective
What the Prophet ﷺ Did
- The Prophet ﷺ encouraged EVERYONE to attend Eid prayer
- He specifically said women, children, and even those not praying should come
- Eid prayer is meant to be a community celebration
- Children witnessed and participated in Eid during the Prophet’s time
Benefits of Participating in Eid Prayer
- Children are welcome and encouraged
- It’s part of their Islamic education and identity formation
- Creates beautiful childhood memories
- Teaches them about community worship
Tips for taking your young children to the Eid prayer:
- Stand at the back or sides
- Bring quiet snacks/toys
- Be ready to step out if needed
- Use baby carriers for little ones
- Teach them the Eid takbeer
- Let them give Eid greetings
- Have them count how many people attend
- Discuss the khutbah after
- Let them go with friends (supervised)
- Involve them in pre-Eid preparations
- Encourage them to listen to the khutbah
- Bring prayer mats if outdoors
Remember:
- It’s a joyous occasion, not a test
- The community expects and welcomes children
- Imperfect participation is better than none
- You’re building lifetime memories
- Every child is different – do what works
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beautify your Eids with takbeer,” and what’s more beautiful than children’s voices joining in?
Final tip: If it doesn’t go perfectly, that’s okay! Try again next Eid. The goal is to create positive associations with Islamic worship and community.
How Can Working Parents Incorporate These Activities?
The Reality Check
You’re juggling work, commute, household duties, AND trying to make these days special. You’re not alone! Here’s how to make it work without burning out.
Morning Strategies (Before Work)
While getting ready:
- Say morning dhikr together while brushing teeth
- Recite Dhul-Hijjah takbeer during breakfast
- Quick dua in the car/bus to school
- Leave loving Islamic notes in lunchboxes
- Play Quran recitation while getting dressed
Quick activities:
- One ayah or hadith about Dhul-Hijjah
- Gratitude sharing, one thing each
- Put coins in the charity jar together
- Quick plan for evening activity
Commute Opportunities
In the Car/Bus
- Play Islamic songs about Hajj
- Practice memorizing short surahs
- Tell one prophet’s story per day
- Count dhikr on fingers together
- Make dua for family and friends
- Discuss the day’s good deed goal
Walking to School/Daycare
- Count “Alhamdulillah” for things you see
- Look for opportunities to help others
- Pick up litter (good deed!)
- Practice Eid greetings
- Spot creation of Allah to appreciate
During Work Hours
- Order groceries for charity bags online
- Share a hadith in the family WhatsApp group
- Set a phone reminder for a child’s good deed
- Order Eid decorations online
Evening Solutions (After Work)
The “Sacred Half Hour”:
- No phones, just connection
- Share the day’s good deeds
- Pray Maghrib together
- Quick dhikr circle
- Read one page of an Islamic story
- Plan tomorrow’s good deed
Dinner Time Learning
- Share one Dhul-Hijjah fact
- Practice Eid takbeer between bites
- Discuss weekend worship plans
- Let kids lead the dua before eating
- Share work acts of kindness
- Plan a family charity activity
Bedtime Routines
- 5-minute Quran reading
- Make special Dhul-Hijjah dua
- Whisper dhikr until they sleep
Weekend Intensive
Saturday/Sunday Strategy
Batch your activities:
- Morning: Charity/community work
- Afternoon: Islamic learning/crafts
- Evening: Family worship time
- Prep week’s good deed materials
- Cook together for charity
- Visit the Islamic center/events
Useful Apps & Tools
Islamic apps: Schedule prayer reminders
Shared calendars: Track good deeds
YouTube: Pre-selected Islamic content
Alexa/Google: Set dhikr reminders
When You’re Overwhelmed
Remember:
- Quality over quantity, one sincere deed beats ten rushed ones
- Kids remember effort. They see you trying
- Allah knows your situation. Working is worship (ibadah) too
- Progress, not perfection. Some days will be better
- Make dua for help. Ask Allah to make it easy
Conclusion
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah symbolize a precious opportunity to reunite with the family, where everyone can learn and grow together in faith.
We bring home strong Muslim identities and beautiful memories for our children by encouraging them to undertake various good deeds daily and to pray with the spirit of Eid.
Whether you just barely fit in some worship acts between tight working hours as parents or can spend those ten days as a family setting up new traditions to build upon, know that Allah values even the smallest sincere effort.
We pray that the blessing-filled days nurture their hearts toward kindness, thanks, and love of Islam for days to come. May Allah accept it all and bless your home with a whole lot of joy. Eid Mubarak!
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