The fall holiday of Sukkot is one of the most joyful times of the year in the Jewish calendar. Sukkot means “booths” or “huts” in Hebrew; the name refers to the temporary dwellings in which the ancient Israelites lived in the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt. In commemoration, Jewish families build their own sukkot, and try to spend as much time as possible in them throughout the eight-day holiday. Eating, spending time with family and friends, and sleeping in the sukkah help to create a real sense of connection with the Israelites’ experience.
Here are seven fun, quick, and easy Sukkot activities to do with your family to decorate, learn more, and celebrate at home.
Build a Sukkah For Your Stuffies
Get in the Sukkot spirit on a small scale with a "practice sukkah" made just for toys. Kids can enjoy anticipating Sukkot beforehand or extend the celebration afterward by making a play sukkah!
Get the directions
Make a Train Garland
Families decorate their sukkah to make the celebration more exciting and to make guests feel even more special. You can decorate your sukkah with just about anything—if you have a little train enthusiast at home, make this garland. It’s great for your sukkah or to save for a bedroom or birthday party.
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Paint Gourds
Sukkot is almost here! It's common to decorate a sukkah with a few fruits and vegetables from the harvest. You can give your sukkah—or your front doorstep—a little extra personality by painting faces on large seasonal gourds.
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Construct a Sukkah-Fort
Don't have room for a full-sized sukkah? Or, do you need a solution that will allow social distancing and a festive celebration? Grab some chairs, blankets, and get to work on small "sukkah forts." These tiny versions of a traditional sukkah are perfect for indoors or one or two person occupancies. Image how fun (and silly) it would feel to set up a few in a park or a back yard to enjoy an evening with friends.
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Make A Bird Feeder Decoration
Do you have some stale cereal in your cupboard? Don’t toss it! Turn your leftover unsweetened cereal into a sukkah decoration that doubles as a simple, safe, bird feeder.
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Share Welcome Cards
Got a new neighbor on your street, or a new kid in your class? Help them plant roots in your community by making a welcome card. One of the major themes of the story of the ushpezin story told on Sukkot, is being a gracious and welcoming host. Even if you're social distancing, you can still practice this wonderful mitzvah.
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Taste Local Foods
One of the oldest traditions of Sukkot is sampling foods from the local harvest. Update this tradition by trying something local to you. Whether it's an interesting fruit your neighbor grows in their garden or a special treat made by a small restaurant, enjoying local foods is a fun, and tasty, way to pay homage to Sukkot traditions.
More
The 2020 Quick Guide to Sukkot
7 Children’s Books About Sukkot
7 No Waste Decorations To Make for Your Sukkah
September 24, 2020