Eid is the best day to teach children joyful worship. A simple checklist makes the Sunnahs easy to follow.
The Eid morning checklist
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Ghusl | A full bath, then best clothes and perfume (for boys) |
| 2. Eat first (Eid al-Fitr) | An odd number of dates before the prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 953) |
| 3. Zakat al-Fitr | Given before the Eid al-Fitr prayer; let your child help |
| 4. Takbir | Say it on the way and while waiting |
| 5. Pray | Two rak’ahs with extra takbirs |
| 6. Khutbah | Sit and listen after the prayer |
| 7. Different route home | The Prophet ﷺ went one way and returned another (Sahih al-Bukhari 986) |
| 8. Greet | “Eid Mubarak” or “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” |
The takbir to learn
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ
Practise it in the last days of Ramadan so your child can say it confidently.
The prayer itself
- Two rak’ahs, prayed in congregation.
- Extra takbirs at the start of each rak’ah. The number varies between schools of thought, so follow the imam.
- Your child simply raises hands and follows the imam.
After the prayer
Visit family, give gifts, share food and include someone who may be alone.
Teacher’s tip: put the checklist on the door the night before Eid and let your child tick each step. Children love completing it, and they learn the Sunnahs for life.
Related: Explaining Eid to classmates.
