Sukkot

Everything You Need for Sukkot with Kids

On Sukkot Jewish families build a temporary hut (sukkah) with an open roof made of branches to let in moonlight and an open side to welcome guests. Sukkot is a time to host guests for meals in the sukkah. The open booth is a reminder of how the Children of Israel slept after they fled slavery in Egypt, a connection to the story of Passover. It also resembles temporary shelters from the sun used by farmers planting out in the fields.

Download A Time to Grow, our High Holidays family guide, to get started.

Video
The Lego Sukkot Movie

At a Glance

What is Sukkot?

Sukkot is an eight day harvest festival that begins about five days after Yom Kippur.

When is Sukkot?

Sukkot begins at sundown on Monday, October 6, 2025 and ends at nightfall on Monday, October 13, 2025.

How long is Sukkot?

Five days after Yom Kippur, the moon grows full. It lights up a special celebration called Sukkot (soo-COAT), a harvest festival that lasts for an entire week.

What do people do on Sukkot?

For seven days, the sukkah becomes our temporary home for eating, relaxing, and even sleeping. People shake the lulav and etrog, relax in the sukkah, and welcome guests to join them there.

Downloadables

Activity Sheet
Complete a word search, do a puzzle, and learn about tzedakah with this activity sheet inspired by the PJ Library book The Best Sukkot Pumpkin Ever.
Sukkot Rituals and Activities Printable
Sukkot is a time to gather and celebrate. Here are suggested activities your family can do in a sukkah (or in your house) to make this week a “time of joy” — in your family’s own unique way.
Blessing for Sitting in the Sukkah
Listen along to learn how to say the special blessing for sitting in the sukkah.
Shaking the Lulav and Etrog
It’s customary to shake a lulav and etrog in the sukkah on each morning of Sukkot. Learn the blessing.

Activities, Recipes, Audio, and More

Use the tiles to find book lists, how-tos, podcast episodes, and other resources to celebrate Sukkot together.

Audio
Explore videos, podcasts, music and more!
Stories
Enjoy picture books about Sukkot.
Activities
Decorate your sukkah, shake the lulav, or turn a fort into an indoor sukkah.
Recipes
Delicious, healthy, and hand-held dinners and treats to enjoy in the Sukkah.
More
Find more resources.
A parent and child decorating their sukkah

Celebrations and Traditions

Sukkot literally means “small huts.” For seven days, the sukkah becomes our temporary home for eating, relaxing, and even sleeping. We hang fruits and vegetables in the sukkah and are grateful for the plenty in our lives. We gaze at the stars and think about our connection with our beautiful world. Sitting outside of our home (and all the stuff it holds) helps us focus on the blessing of being together with family, friends, and community.

How to Build a Sukkah
Follow along to learn how to construct your very own sukkah.
How to Shake the Lulav
Learn the blessings and the basics to this ritual.
Tips For Building a Sukkah
Take your sukkah from fine to fancy with these easy to follow tips.
Easy Ways to Decorate the Sukkah With No Waste
It’s a mitzvah to decorate our sukkah—and you don’t have to break the bank to do it.
There are More Ways to Do Jewish Than You Can Count!
Our Get Together program helps PJ Library subscribers host meaningful Jewish gatherings with friends. You invite some people you love, we’ll provide ideas, tips, even reimbursement for your lulav, etrog, and sukkah decorations if you’d like.

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