For families · Seasons
Eid activities for kids: ideas for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
The short answer
Make Eid a day children remember for the right reasons: get ready together the night before, take them to the Eid prayer, say the takbir on the way, give each child something to give as well as to receive, and visit family. Add one craft, a special breakfast and a thank-you dua at bedtime.
Muslims have two Eids a year, and both are days of joy. When two young girls sang at Aisha’s house on Eid and Abu Bakr objected, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Every people has its Eid, and this is our Eid” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). So yes, Eid should be fun. The trick is to make the fun grow out of what the day is: thanks to Allah, prayer together, family and giving. Here is how to get ready, ideas for each Eid, and ways for children to give.
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected around 9 or 10 March, and Eid al-Adha around 16 or 17 May, depending on the moon sighting where you live.
What are the two Eids, in a sentence each?
- Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal. We thank Allah for the month of fasting, and Zakat al-Fitr is given before the prayer so that everyone can celebrate.
- Eid al-Adha comes on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah, while the pilgrims are on Hajj. We remember how Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail were ready to obey Allah, and families who can offer the Qurbani sacrifice and share the meat. See Explaining Eid al-Adha to kids.
How to get ready for Eid with kids, step by step
Count down the last days
A paper chain with one link for each day left, torn off every evening, makes Eid something to look forward to.
Lay out clothes the night before
Best clothes, new or not, laid out by each bed, with shoes and a small bag for Eidi.
Give Zakat al-Fitr with the children watching
Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, it is given for every member of the family, children included (Sahih al-Bukhari). Let them see it given and know whom it helps.
Eat dates before the Fitr prayer
The Prophet ﷺ did not go out on Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, an odd number of them (Sahih al-Bukhari). Let the children count them out.
Say the takbir on the way
“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar wa lillahil-hamd” is a wording many families use. Say it together in the car or on the walk.
Pray together, then take a different road home
The Prophet ﷺ went to the Eid prayer one way and came back another (Sahih al-Bukhari). Children love having an “Eid road”.
Greet, visit and share
“Eid Mubarak” to everyone, a visit to grandparents or neighbours, and a plate of something sweet for a neighbour who may be alone.
The whole community belongs at the Eid prayer. The Companions were told to bring everyone out on Eid, even the young girls, to share in the good and the gathering of the Muslims (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). Bring the children, even if they fidget.
Eid al-Fitr activities for kids
- The good-deed reveal. If you kept a good-deed jar in Ramadan, count it at Eid breakfast and thank Allah for every one (ideas in Ramadan activities for kids).
- Decorate the night before. Lights, a banner the children painted, paper moons and stars on the door.
- Eid cards. For grandparents, teachers and neighbours. Children can write “Eid Mubarak” and draw what they loved about Ramadan.
- Cook one Eid dish together. Sheer khurma, ma’amoul or whatever your family makes. Let the children decorate it.
- An Eid treasure hunt. Clues around the house leading to a small gift after the prayer.
- A plate for the neighbours. Something sweet, carried over by the children, for neighbours of any faith.
- A thank-you dua at bedtime. “Alhamdulillah for Ramadan, and for Eid. Please accept our fasting.” Let Us Fast in Ramadan (Book 14) ends with exactly that dua.
Eid al-Adha activities for kids
- Tell the story first. Read Ismail and the Ram (Book 39) in the days before Eid, so the sacrifice has its meaning before children see any of it.
- The day of ‘Arafah. The day before Eid, while the pilgrims stand at ‘Arafah. The Prophet ﷺ said fasting it wipes away the sins of the year before and the year after (Sahih Muslim). Adults may fast; children can help prepare the iftar and make a dua list.
- Takbir together. Many families say the takbir together through the days of Eid al-Adha, after prayers and around the house.
- Help share the meat. Allah tells us to eat from the sacrifice and feed those in need (Qur’an 22:36). Children can help pack and deliver portions to relatives, neighbours and people who need it.
- Follow the Hajj. Make a cardboard Kaaba, mark Makkah, Mina and ‘Arafah on a simple map, and see Hajj for kids for the steps in children’s words.
- Enjoy the days after. The Prophet ﷺ called the days after Eid al-Adha days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah (Sahih Muslim). Plan a picnic or a family meal for one of them.
How can children give on Eid, not only receive?
- A “give” pocket in every Eidi envelope. Part of the money goes to a cause the child chooses.
- One gift each child gives. To a sibling, a cousin, or a child who may get little. Ideas in Eid gift ideas for kids.
- Zakat al-Fitr, seen and explained. “This is so that every family can have Eid today.” Let Us Give Charity (Book 15) reminds children to make sure their parents give it.
- A visit. To an elderly relative or a neighbour who lives alone. Time is a gift too.
For more year-round ideas, see Sadaqah ideas for kids.
What if Eid falls on a school day?
Because the date depends on the moon, Eid can arrive with only a day’s notice. Tell your child’s school early that Eid is coming and that the date will be confirmed late, and ask how they handle it; policies differ from school to school. If your child does go to school, keep the Eid morning Sunnahs before school and save the visits and gifts for the afternoon.
The books in this guide
From ilmbee Series 01, 100 illustrated books read in order. The first 3 are free to read.
Frequently asked questions
What do kids do on Eid?
On Eid, children wear their best clothes, go to the Eid prayer with their family, say the takbir, receive and give gifts or Eidi, visit relatives and share special food.
How do you make Eid special for kids at home?
Get ready together the night before, decorate one room, plan a special breakfast, open presents after the prayer, and give each child something to give away as well as to receive.
Can children go to the Eid prayer?
Yes: the Prophet ﷺ had the whole community come out on Eid, even the young girls, to share in the good and the gathering (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim), and children are welcome at most Eid prayers.
What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan on the first of Shawwal, while Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah, during Hajj, and remembers Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to obey Allah, with the Qurbani sacrifice.
When is Eid in 2027?
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected around 9 or 10 March and Eid al-Adha around 16 or 17 May, but the exact days depend on the moon sighting where you live.
Sources
Qur'an references are given as surah:ayah, with the meaning in plain English. Hadith are from the collections named.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 952; Sahih Muslim 892: two young girls sang at Aisha's house on Eid; the Prophet ﷺ said, “Every people has its Eid, and this is our Eid.”
- Sahih al-Bukhari 953: on the day of Eid al-Fitr the Prophet ﷺ did not go out until he had eaten some dates, and he ate an odd number.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 986: on the day of Eid the Prophet ﷺ returned from the prayer by a different way from the one he went by.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 971; Sahih Muslim 890: Umm 'Atiyyah: we were commanded to bring out on Eid even the young girls, to share in the good and the gathering of the Muslims and say the takbir.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1503: Zakat al-Fitr is due for every Muslim, young and old, and is given before people go out to the Eid prayer.
- Qur'an 2:185 (Al-Baqarah): complete the number of days, and glorify Allah (takbir) for having guided you.
- Qur'an 22:36 (Al-Hajj): eat from the sacrificial animals, and feed the one who does not ask and the one who asks.
- Sahih Muslim 1141: the days of tashreeq are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.
- Sahih Muslim 1162: fasting the day of 'Arafah expiates the sins of the year before and the year after.
- Takbir wording (“Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah...”): a common wording, given without attribution; for scholar review.