Start with bismillah.

Walk ten steps away from a chair, turning twice. Then close your eyes and try to walk straight back. Ask: "Did you make it?"

Watch the NPR video about desert ants that count their steps to find their way home.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Where should we turn our hopes?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How do I keep my heart pointing to Allah?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ash-Sharh is surah 94. Find ayah 8, the last one. The key word farghab means turn eagerly, with all your wishes, to your Lord.

Fact: How do desert ants find their nest in a flat, empty desert?

Ages 5–8: Step count. Count your steps from your bed to the front door. Then walk it with your eyes closed (with someone guiding). Were you close?

Ages 9–12: Path puzzle. Draw a wiggly path you walk to a shop. Then draw the straight line home. How do ants work out that straight line?

Finish with: "I found that desert ants find home by ___."

Talk together:

• The ant always heads home. How can we always head back to Allah?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What do you hope for most? Have you asked Allah for it?
• What distracts you from Allah? How can you turn back?
• Why does turning to Allah make hard things easier?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will turn to Allah with my hope for ___ every day."

• Show someone the step-count challenge.
• After every prayer, sit for one minute just talking to Allah.
• Next time: the next surah, At-Tin, begins with ayah 95:1 about the fig and the olive. Explore it together!

Action: Ask Allah for your biggest hope every day this week.