Can I give zakat al-fitr to my non-Muslim family?

What zakat al-fitr is for

Zakat al-fitr is the small food charity every Muslim pays before the Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ made it a duty on every Muslim, young or old, and ordered that it be paid before people go out to the prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503). Ibn Abbas explained its purpose: it purifies the fasting person from idle talk and is food for the poor (Sunan Abi Dawud 1609). See What is zakat al-fitr?

What the schools say about non-Muslim recipients

• Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali: zakat al-fitr, like the yearly zakat, is for poor Muslims only, because it is meant to let Muslims share the joy of their own Eid.
• Hanafi: Abu Hanifa allowed giving zakat al-fitr to poor non-Muslims living peacefully alongside Muslims, though even Hanafi scholars say Muslims in need come first.

So the safest, most widely accepted choice is to give it to needy Muslims, through a mosque or a trusted charity. See Can I give zakat to non-Muslims?

Parents and children are a separate issue

Even if your parents were Muslim, most scholars say you can't give them zakat, because supporting poor parents is already your duty. The same applies to your own children. Giving them "zakat" would just be paying a debt you already owe them. Brothers, sisters, aunts and cousins are different, but for non-Muslim relatives the majority view above still applies. See Can I give zakat to my parents or siblings?

How to help your family instead

Islam actively encourages kindness to non-Muslim family members who are at peace with you. Pay your zakat al-fitr to poor Muslims, then give your family a gift, help with a bill, cook them an Eid meal or invite them over. These count as sadaqah and as keeping family ties, both richly rewarded.