As the High Holidays wrap up, Jewish families worldwide joyfully observe the eight-day Festival of Sukkot. Sukkot begins five days after Yom Kippur and falls between late September and October, aligning with the Jewish calendar. Sukkot means ‘huts’ - singular is a Sukkah, and on Sukkot, Jewish families eat and spend time in the Sukkah, a hut like structure that Jews build themselves. There’s lots of food and fun, and Jews like to eat all their meals in the Sukkah that they built. The message behind this holiday is that the Sukkah is not a sturdy or permanent structure. So, sitting in this temporary structure, Jews are reminded of a very important lesson: No matter where we are, we are never alone.
Sukkot Events in Our Area
Looking for ways to celebrate Sukkot together? We’ll add local Sukkot events and celebrations in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Malibu as they become available.
More Sukkot Events:
Temple Etz Chaim, Thousand Oaks
Temple Adat Elohim, Thousand Oaks
 chameleonseye from Getty Images via Canva |
- Invite family and friends to join you in your Sukkah.
- Make the Sukkah a family and friends event. And it’s not just about eating, plan for fun, games or just hanging out.
- Go visit a Sukkah together.
- Bring a special treat to eat in the Sukkah.
- Together with your child, bake cookies, make soup, candied apples or something fun to eat in the Sukkah.
- Make up silly songs. Add your own lyrics to songs, such as: This is the way we eat in the sukkah, eat in the sukkah, sing in the sukkah, laugh in the sukkah, etc.
- Plan for the bees and other bugs. Since it is Fall and the Sukkah is outside, plan accordingly for mosquitos, bees and other flying bugs. There are many ideas for eliminating or preventing the bugs from bothering the Sukkah, some more eco-friendly than others.
- Include your children in building the Sukkah. If your family has your own Sukkah, include them in building it. Get a child sized tool belt and hammer and allow them to bang something. And then compliment them on the great work. Of course, it will take longer to build because when they help, but that is all part of creating family memories.
The Sukkah
 chameleonseye from Getty Images via Canva |
- Some Sukkahs have decorations to make the Sukkah look extra beautiful and personal. Even if you will not be having a sukkah at your own home, you and your children can create decorations to brighten someone else’s Sukkah.
- Since Sukkot is during Fall when rain and wind is a real possibility, it is best to make decorations that can handle the weather. Almost any paper poster can be laminated to withstand the elements.
- If your family does have your own sukkah, create decorations that you can take out every year. Date them so you remember how old the children were when they made them.
- Take a picture of anything your child has made and actually print it and keep in the holiday keepsake box.
- Family mementos. Add new decorations that have meaning to your family, sort of like those charm bracelets. If you’ve been on a trip recently, hang up a souvenir, bring out old family treasures. These make great family conversations. You can create a new family tradition of purchasing souvenirs from your travels and family trips to include in your Sukkah decorations.
- Repurpose old CDs. Place 2 CDs back to back so that both sides are shiny and glisten in the sun. Decorate with craft glue and shiny gems or stickers. Tie together with ribbons, as a garland or hang from the roof of the Sukkah.
- Strawberry baskets. Weave plastic ribbon through a strawberry basket. Add plastic fruit or other trinkets.
- Sun catchers pour lots of white glue into the flat caps of large cans—like coffee cans or Pringles cans. Your child can throw in some sequins, colorful translucent beads. Allow a few days to dry thoroughly. Poke a hole and attach a string. Attach to the Sukkah roof.
- Rope Lights. Attach rope like lights to add a decorative touch.
- Get some string and hang seasonal fruit.
- Make colorful paper chains to decorate.
Share with the kids: Shared with permission: karen.cinnamon | Something for the grown-ups: Shared with permission: karen.cinnamon |
🧑🏫 Learn more
- All about Sukkot
- What is Sukkot?
- Kids guide to Sukkot
- Sukkot stories for kids
- Sukkot videos for kids
- 7 Children’s Books About Sukkot
- How to Build a Sukkah With Your Family
- Tips For Building Your Sukkah
- How to Shake the Lulav
🧑🍳 Recipes
- Super Easy Sukkot Dinner Ideas
- Sukkot recipes for kids
- Delicious Jewish Apple Cake
- Noodle Kugel a Delish Family Treat
- 🍏Apple Recipes: Everything from Sweet to Savory for Your Family
✂️ Crafts
Happy Sukkot Macaroni KID Families!! |
This previously shared article has been edited and updated by Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas
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