Umrah with children comes down to planning around their needs. This guide covers what parents need to know before booking flights to Jeddah, from age-specific advice to on-the-ground logistics in Makkah and Madinah.
Umrah Rules for Children: What Parents Should Know
Newborns, toddlers, and older children can all enter Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals. For a child below the age of discernment (generally under 7), the parent or guardian forms the intention of ihram on the child’s behalf and guides them through tawaf and sa’i.
Every child, including infants, needs their own passport and umrah visa. The visa fee is SAR 300 per person, plus mandatory medical insurance. Each pilgrim also needs an Umrah permit issued through Nusuk.
Ihram for Children
Boys can wear the standard two-piece unstitched ihram cloth if practical. For babies and toddlers where this is not feasible, modest white clothing is acceptable, and scholars permit flexibility for very young children.
Girls wear normal modest clothing. There is no specific ihram garment required for female children.
Best Age to Take Kids for Umrah
Babies and Infants (Under 2)
Infants are the easiest age group in some ways: they sleep through rituals and can be carried in a sling. The main challenge is managing feeds, naps, and diaper changes in crowded spaces.
Pack a baby carrier (not a stroller, more on that below) and plan rituals around your baby’s sleep schedule.
Toddlers (2–4 Years)
This is the most physically demanding age for parents. Toddlers want to walk but tire quickly, cannot handle long waits, and may become overwhelmed by crowds and noise.
A sturdy baby carrier rated for their weight is essential.
School-Age Children (5–12)
Children in this age group can walk the rituals with you, understand basic explanations of what they are doing, and follow safety instructions. This is often considered the most rewarding age for a family umrah.
Prepare them before the trip by explaining tawaf, sa’i, and the significance of the Kaaba. Children who understand what they are doing tend to stay engaged rather than restless.
Teenagers
Teenagers can perform all rituals independently and benefit most from the spiritual experience. They can also help younger siblings during the trip.
Keep in mind that umrah performed before puberty does not count as the obligatory one, so they will need to perform it again as adults. If your teenager is old enough, you might also consider taking them for Hajj.
When to Go: Best Time for Umrah With Kids
Makkah temperatures can exceed 45°C in summer, which is dangerous for young children. The best months for a family umrah are November through February, when temperatures are milder, with daily averages ranging from about 25°C to 30°C, though daytime highs can still reach the mid-30s in November.
Crowds are another factor. The weeks immediately after Hajj season (Muharram and Safar) tend to be the quietest, while Ramadan and school holidays bring the largest crowds. For a detailed month-by-month breakdown, see our guide on the best time to perform umrah.
What About Eid Holidays and Summer Breaks?
Many families consider Eid or summer school holidays for umrah since children are off school. Neither is ideal.
During the 2026 Eid al-Adha and Hajj period, entry to Makkah was restricted to Hajj permit holders and residents, so tourist and visit visa holders could not enter. Umrah visa issuance resumed on 31 May 2026, and Makkah entry and Umrah permits via Nusuk resumed on 1 June 2026.
Eid al-Fitr falls at the end of Ramadan, when the Grand Mosque is at peak capacity and crowds are at their most intense.
Summer holidays (June to August) bring temperatures of 40 to 45°C in Makkah. Health authorities advise against travel with young children during these months, because of the risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.
If summer is your only option, schedule all rituals at night, after Isha or before Fajr, stay in a hotel within walking distance of the Haram, and keep children indoors during the 11am to 5pm peak heat window.
Timing Your Rituals
- Perform tawaf and sa’i right after Fajr prayer or between Isha and midnight, the windows with the smallest crowds
- Avoid the 10am to 4pm window in any season, since even in winter the midday sun is strong
- If performing umrah during Ramadan, the hours after Taraweeh prayer are often less congested for tawaf
Stroller vs Baby Carrier: What to Bring
Inside Masjid al-Haram
Strollers are banned on the ground floor of the Mataf, the tawaf area around the Kaaba, because of crowd density and safety.
They are generally permitted in the Ma’sa (the sa’i corridor), on the upper floors and in the outer courtyards, though access can be restricted when those areas are congested. A soft-structured carrier or sling is the safest option for a young child during tawaf and sa’i.
Outside the Mosque
A compact, foldable stroller is useful for the walk between your hotel and the Haram, and for visiting Madinah.
Keeping Kids Safe and Comfortable
Child Safety at the Haram
- Use the free identification wristband machines at King Abdulaziz Gate 1 and King Fahd Gate 79, which print a band with your contact details so security can reunite you if separated
- Dress children in bright, distinctive clothing so you can spot them quickly in a crowd
- Keep a laminated ID card in your child’s pocket with your name, hotel, room number, and phone number in English and Arabic
Childcare Facilities at the Grand Mosque
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques operates two Children’s Nursery Centers inside the Grand Mosque’s third expansion, near Al-Haram Emergency Hospital. They accept girls aged 1–10 and boys aged 1–8, with trained staff, meals, and sleeping rooms, with capacity for approximately 1,500 children daily.
In Madinah, similar nursery centers operate at the Prophet’s Mosque near Gate 365 and Gate 339.
Where to Stay
Book a hotel as close to the Haram as possible to minimize walking with children. Properties within 300–500 meters of the mosque save enormous energy over a multi-day trip. Search Makkah hotels on Wego to compare prices and distances, and check Madinah hotels for the second leg of your trip.
Booking online: Wego books ministry-approved hotels and files the eVisa in partnership with Nusuk in one flow, with children and infants added to the same booking as the adults.
Look for hotels that offer family rooms or suites with kitchenettes, since being able to prepare snacks and warm milk for young children in your room reduces stress considerably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are strollers allowed during tawaf?
No. Strollers are banned on the ground floor of the Mataf (tawaf area). They are generally permitted in the Ma’sa (sa’i corridor) and on upper floors, though access may be restricted during peak congestion. Use a baby carrier or sling for tawaf. Strollers are also permitted in the outer courtyards.
Does a child’s umrah count as their obligatory one?
No. Umrah performed before puberty is spiritually rewarded but does not fulfill the adult obligation. The child will need to perform umrah again after reaching the age of religious obligation.
How many days are enough for umrah with kids?
Plan at least 5 to 7 days in total, with 3 to 4 nights in Makkah and 2 to 3 in Madinah. Children need more rest between rituals than adults, and buffer days let you time tawaf and sa’i around off-peak hours rather than rushing.
Where can I buy diapers and baby food in Makkah?
Supermarkets like BinDawood and Al Raya are within walking distance of most Haram-area hotels and stock diapers, formula, baby food, and children’s snacks. Pharmacies are also widely available for children’s medication.
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: Umrah Portal
- Nusuk: Official Umrah Visa and Booking Platform
- Saudi Press Agency: Children’s Nursery Centers at the Grand Mosque
- Saudi Press Agency: Children’s Nursery Center at the Prophet’s Mosque
- Gulf News: Children’s Prams Banned at Grand Mosque’s Tawaf Site
- Saudi Gazette: Child Safety Bracelets at Masjid al-Haram
- Saudi Ministry of Health: Hajj and Umrah Health Requirements
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
