Parenting Perspective 

It is natural for children to see their toys and playtime as ordinary parts of life, rather than as specific blessings from Allah. You can help them to connect their moments of fun and laughter back to a feeling of gratitude, which helps to nurture a heart that can find faith even in everyday joys. This does not mean making their playtime feel heavy or formal. It is about gently weaving small, happy reminders into these moments so that children can learn that blessings are not only things like food and health, but are also found in their own joys and smiles. 

Speak Gratitude During Moments of Play 

While your child is happily enjoying a toy, you can say, ‘Alhamdulillah, Allah gave us this lovely toy so that we can be happy together.’ Directly linking their fun to Allah helps them to see His care and generosity even in their simplest pleasures. 

Point Out Allah as the Source of Joy 

After a shared moment of laughter, you could say, ‘SubhanAllah, Allah created laughter to make our hearts feel light and happy.’ This helps children to begin to see the very feeling of joy as a divine gift. 

Encourage Personal Thanks for New Gifts 

When you are buying your child a new toy, or they have received one as a gift, you can guide them to say, ‘Alhamdulillah! Ya Allah, thank You for this wonderful present.’ Making this a short and cheerful part of the experience helps their gratitude to feel natural, not forced. 

Create a Small Gratitude Ritual After Play 

At the end of a period of playtime, you can take a moment to pause together and say, ‘That was so much fun. Alhamdulillah that Allah gave us the energy to play and the smiles to share.’ This simple habit gently closes a moment of joy with an act of remembrance. 

Model Sincere Gratitude Yourself 

Laugh freely and openly with your children, and then follow it with a sincere, ‘Alhamdulillah, this happy feeling is a gift from Allah.’ They will naturally connect your sincerity with their own growing understanding of gratitude. 

By showing your children that their toys and laughter are also blessings to be thankful for, they learn to see their faith not only in acts of worship, but also in their most joyful moments, which helps to shape a grateful outlook that can last a lifetime. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on Rejoicing in Allah’s Mercy 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Yunus (10), Verses 58: 

‘Say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “In this the Bounty of Allah (Almighty) and His Mercy, with these (bestowments) they should rejoice, this is better than all their wealth and possessions they can amass”.’ 

This verse teaches us that we are encouraged to rejoice in the gifts that Allah sends us. When we understand this, a child’s laughter and their toys become more than just entertainment; they are seen as small reflections of His mercy, meant to be enjoyed with a grateful heart. 

Prophetic Guidance on Showing Mercy to Children 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 355, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He is not of us who does not show mercy to our young ones, nor honour our elders.’ 

This hadith highlights that showing mercy includes creating space for a child’s joy, play, and laughter. By reminding our children that these happy moments are gifts from Allah, we help them to see that gratitude is a gentle way of treasuring both the blessing and the One who gave it. In this way, their laughter can become a beautiful form of remembrance, softening their hearts and strengthening their faith.