Start with bismillah.

Pour a cup of water onto a tray of dry sand. Ask: "Where did the water go? Is it still there somewhere?"

Watch the Texas Water Development Board video about aquifers, the water hidden under the ground.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What does Allah swear by in this ayah?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How can a city grow in a dry desert?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Balad is surah 90, and it has twenty ayat. Find ayah 1. The surah's name comes from the key word al-balad, the city. Many scholars explain that this is Makkah.

Fact: What is an aquifer, and how does water get into it?

Ages 5–8: Sand and water. Fill a clear cup with gravel, then sand, then pour water in slowly. Watch where the water collects at the bottom.

Ages 9–12: Find Makkah on a map. Is it near a river or the sea? Find out where its water comes from.

Finish with: "I found that water can be stored ___ the ground."

Talk together:

• Why might Allah swear by a city?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What does a city need to stay alive?
• What makes your own town special to you?
• What would you like to ask an ustaz or ustazah about Makkah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will learn one fact about Makkah and share it with ___."

• Never waste water: turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
• Show someone your sand-and-water cup.
• Next time: the next ayah (90:2) is about the Prophet ﷺ living in that city. Explore it together!

Action: Share your Makkah fact with someone at home.