Going with kids

I would highly recommend taking kids along, its a lifetime learning and memory for them.

Few things which we learned from friends and our own experience -

1. Prepare them beforehand, give them story books about Umrah, Prophets
2. Tell them stories about Safa Marwa and other related stories
3. Share your itinerary, discuss your plans with them, engage them and make them feel part of the experience
4. Pack light for yourself, pack well for kids
5. Pack snacks, cookies etc which they like as it might be difficult to find something straightaway of their liking as soon as you arrive
6. Get them ice-creams, they are fantastic especially in Mecca, they love it
7. If you are taking a pushchair, remember -
   - in Mecca you can although leave them outside most of the gates, every few hours cleaners collect them and put them in 'Lost & Found' area, this is in between Haram doors and Clock Tower, we found our pushchair twice over there
   - in Madina, you can take pushchair to prayer areas in the courtyard of Masjid Nabwi, and pray there with a pushchair on your side
8. Ask them and make them understand to make dua for themselves and family and friends
9. Remember to buy gifts for them when shopping, these necessarily don't need to be expensive but are memories for long
10. For school going kids, make sure you decide/discuss with them a place they must come back to if they are lost (say gate number 90 in Mecca and gate number 22 in Masjid Nabwi)
11. DO REMEMBER to print slips before you leave and keep them in your bags and tuck them in kids pockets every time you are leaving the hotel, these must contain -
    - your child's name
    - your name
    - your contact numbers (UK and local - write it down as soon as you get a local SIM)
    - the emergency contact number of friend/family who is not travelling
    - Hotel name in Mecca and Madina
    - Flight Name and Number and date of travel

Keep them happy and they will keep you happier, have fun and enjoy your time and experience.