Make Eid special for kids by building traditions they repeat every year: decorating the night before, a bath and best clothes, dates and takbir on the way to the Eid prayer, Eidi and gifts, family visits, giving and a calm story at the end. The Prophet said, “There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid.”
Why do Eid traditions matter so much for children?
Children in the UK grow up surrounded by Christmas lights from November, and Eid is not a bank holiday, so it can feel small unless families make it big at home. The Sunnah encourages joy: when Abu Bakr objected to two girls singing in ‘A’ishah’s house on Eid, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “O Abu Bakr! There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid” (Sahih al-Bukhari 952). The aim is simple: your child should feel that Eid is their best day of the year, and that the joy comes from Allah.
What should we do the night before Eid?
- Decorate together. Bunting, lanterns, fairy lights and an “Eid Mubarak” sign on the front door.
- Lay out Eid clothes. New or best clothes, ready on a chair, so the morning is calm.
- Say the takbir. The Qur’an links completing Ramadan with glorifying Allah (2:185), and many families begin the takbir (“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah…”) from sunset on the night before Eid al-Fitr.
- Pay Zakat al-Fitr together. It is due for every Muslim, “young or old”, and the Prophet ordered that it be paid before people go out to the Eid prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503). Let your child hand it over or click “donate”, and explain that it helps other families enjoy Eid too.
What are the Sunnahs of Eid morning?
- A bath and best clothes. A widely followed practice of the Companions.
- Dates before the prayer. On Eid al-Fitr the Prophet never went out until he had eaten some dates, and he ate an odd number (Sahih al-Bukhari 953). Children love counting: one, three or five. On Eid al-Adha he did not eat until after the prayer (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 542, graded hasan by Darussalam).
- Takbir on the way to the Eid prayer, out loud, together.
- Take the children. Ibn ‘Abbas went out with the Prophet to the Eid prayer as a boy (Sahih al-Bukhari 975), and the Prophet told women and girls to come out too (Sahih al-Bukhari 974).
- Go home a different way. The Prophet returned from the Eid prayer by a different route (Sahih al-Bukhari 986). Make it an adventure: “Which way shall we go back?”
How do we fill the rest of Eid day?
- Greetings. Teach “Eid Mubarak” and “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (“May Allah accept from us and from you”), a greeting the Companions are reported to have used.
- Eidi and presents. Some families give presents straight after the prayer; others save them for a family moment. See Eid gifts for kids.
- A treasure hunt. Hide presents with clue cards: “Look where we keep the prayer mats…” More in Eid activities for kids.
- Visit family and neighbours with a plate of sweets. Children can carry the plate and say salam.
- Give. Let children choose a toy or part of their Eidi to give away.
- Play, then end calmly. On Eid in Madinah there was a display with spears and shields, and the Prophet let ‘A’ishah watch (Sahih al-Bukhari 950). Plan a park trip or garden games, then close the day with a new book in pyjamas.
Can I take my child out of school for Eid?
In England, yes, for the day itself. The Education Act 1996 (section 444) says a child is not failing to attend on “any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his parent belongs”, and the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 require the head teacher to record it as authorised religious observance (code R). Wales has similar guidance.
- Tell the school in writing a few weeks ahead.
- Give both possible dates, because Eid depends on the moon and your mosque may differ from others.
- Usually only the day itself is covered; extra days need the head teacher’s permission.
Eid al-Fitr vs Eid al-Adha: what’s different for kids?
| Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha | |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | The end of Ramadan | Ibrahim’s obedience; the days of Hajj |
| Before the prayer | Eat an odd number of dates | Wait to eat until after the prayer |
| Giving | Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer | Qurbani meat shared with family, neighbours and the poor |
| Lesson for children | Thanking Allah for Ramadan | “Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him is piety from you” (22:37) |
| Story to read | The first revelation; a Ramadan book | Prophet Ibrahim (37:102–107) |
| Expected 2027 date (UK) | Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March | Sunday 16 or Monday 17 May |
Eid traditions checklist
- One week before: school told, gifts wrapped, Eidi envelopes named
- Night before: decorations up, clothes laid out, Zakat al-Fitr paid, takbir practised
- Morning: dates on the table (Eid al-Fitr), a family photo by the door
- Afternoon: a giving plan (a toy, a donation, a neighbour’s plate)
- Evening: a new book and a quiet dua
What are the common Eid mistakes with kids?
- Too many visits. Tired children melt down; two or three is plenty.
- Money-only gifts. Add one thing they can open and keep.
- Leaving the children at home for the prayer. It is their Eid too.
- Making it all about receiving. One act of giving makes the day mean more.
A keepsake for each Eid
Some families give one book every Eid and write the year inside, building a little shelf of memories. Hudhud, a UK personalised Islamic storybook, can carry a dedication such as “Eid Mubarak, Eid 2027”, with the child’s name and likeness flying through the stories of five Prophets; allow 7–9 working days for free tracked UK delivery. Children under five won’t remember every Eid, but they absorb the feeling, and the same breakfast, photo spot and song each year become “what our family does”. If you are planning ahead, see Ramadan with young children.
Sources and further reading
- Sahih al-Bukhari 952, “There is an Eid for every nation and this is our Eid”
- Sahih al-Bukhari 953, eating an odd number of dates before the Eid al-Fitr prayer
- Sahih al-Bukhari 986, returning by a different route
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1503, Zakat al-Fitr for young and old, before the prayer
- Sahih al-Bukhari 975, Ibn ‘Abbas at the Eid prayer as a boy
- Education Act 1996, section 444 (legislation.gov.uk)
Frequently asked questions
How can I make Eid exciting for my kids?
Build traditions and repeat them every year: decorate the night before, new clothes, dates and takbir on the way to the prayer, a present treasure hunt, family visits, giving to others and a special story at the end of the day.
What are the Sunnahs of Eid?
Commonly mentioned practices include a bath, wearing your best clothes, eating an odd number of dates before the Eid al-Fitr prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 953), saying the takbir, and returning from the prayer by a different route (Sahih al-Bukhari 986). On Eid al-Adha, the Prophet waited to eat until after the prayer.
What do you say on Eid?
“Eid Mubarak” (blessed Eid) is the usual greeting. Many also say “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum”, “May Allah accept from us and from you”, which the Companions are reported to have said to one another.
Should children go to the Eid prayer?
Yes. Ibn ‘Abbas attended the Eid prayer with the Prophet as a boy (Sahih al-Bukhari 975), and the Prophet told women and girls to come out for it (Sahih al-Bukhari 974). Bring snacks and a small prayer mat for little ones.
Can I take my child out of school for Eid in the UK?
In England, absence on a day exclusively set apart for religious observance by your religious body must be authorised (Education Act 1996, section 444), and is recorded as code R. Tell the school in advance and give both possible dates; extra days are at the head teacher’s discretion.
When is Eid in 2027?
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March, and Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 or Monday 17 May, depending on the moon and which sighting your mosque follows.
How do I make Eid feel as big as Christmas for my children?
Start traditions early and repeat them: decorations, a countdown, special food, presents, family visits and a story. Sharing an Eid book with your child’s class also helps them feel proud of their festival.