see_the_world7

We are traveling to Egypt and Jordan at the end of March through early April. My kids are ages 6 and 7. I know that my husband and I should dress conservatively, but does it matter what my young children wear? Is it fine for them to wear shorts?

Thanks!

Percy

Shorts are okay if you are not going into a Mosque.

I would get them a Galabiyya for each of them, they should like that and it is cool and comfortable..and you can buy them each one for only a few dollars.

Some places are a bit more strict about how you are dressed going into a Mosque.

To tell you the truth I never saw any Egyptian children wearing shorts !

Percy

Grcxx3

Boys or girls????

Egyptian boys/men do not wear shorts. Whenever we went "out" beyond our little suburb area in Cairo, we had our boys (they were 8 and 9 when we moved there) wear long pants. I always had them wear long pants when we flew in/out.

I would suggest light-weight cotton pants (capris if you have a girl). The zip-off pants are great.

Grcxx3

forgot to add .... for everyone - knees, shoulders, upper arms should be covered for religious sites.

I would be "okay" with them wearing shorts to the pyramids (long-style shorts, not short-shorts), but I would recommend pants for the other places in Cairo (museum, bazaar, around town, etc).

Now, if you go on a cruise or to the beach -things get more informal. Shorts on the tours in Luxor are fine. Even my DH (who was VERY conservative in dressing there) wore shorts when touring the Valley of the Kings, etc.

see_the_world7

Thanks all. The 7 year old is a boy and the 6 year old is a girl. We are visiting Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simble, doing a short 3 day/2 night Nile Cruise, and then headed to Jordan.

It sounds like I'll keep them in pants for Cairo but bring some shorts to have as options for other places.

Where could I pick up a Galabiyya when we arrive? I'll make sure I have something to cover their arms packed with me just in case.

Thanks again!

Grcxx3

You're little girl might enjoy wearing a galabeya - but not sure about your son. You can get them in the Khan el Khalili (shopping bazaar) or your hotel gift shop might have one (would be more $$$ there!).

Weather can be really tricky that time of year. We used to have a "hot week" sometime in March that would make us think that summer was on its way - then we'd be hit with a sudden cool snap.