Celebrating Rosh Hashanah with kids can be a challenge. Keeping them at the table (and their sticky honey-dappled hands off the rest of the house) is hard, forget about talking about the meaning of the holiday. Getting them to sit through holiday services? I think any parent deserves an award for even trying.
OK, I may be painting a starker picture here than your reality, but even if your kids are perfect angels on the High Holidays (I salute you!), I have assembled a list of things that I think will help them have a more fun and meaningful Rosh Hashanah. There’s something here for every kid: the craft-loving one, the one who lives for storytimes, the one who can’t stop fidgeting and more.
Books
A beautiful, super diverse Jewish book about what's in a Jewish year that will have you humming the "Rent" soundtrack to yourself all season long.
A beautiful book about Jewish Sephardic Rosh Hashanah traditions.
A lovely way to celebrate Ladino on Rosh Hashanah.
Sometimes you have to pull out the big guns. (Grover is the big guns).
Get your kids a book about a shofar instead of getting them a plastic shofar, trust me on this.
"Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year" by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Jon J Muth
Can you celebrate a Jewish holiday without an Eric A. Kimmel book?
For your fantasy-loving middle grade reader, a sweeping Jewish tale with a very dramatic Rosh Hashanah-related prophecy.
For your middle grade reader, a fun Jewish book that features both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Toys
For the littles, enjoy this fun Rosh Hashanah food set with all the basics: a shofar, a pomegranate, two round challahs (because you're feeding a crowd!), holiday candles, an apple and best of all, honey that is not sticky.
If you know your kids handling the above, more plastic-y set might end in injury, consider this soft plush one instead.
A wonderfully fun sensory toy for the smallest guests at your table. Also, why are stuffed bees so friggin' cute?!
Seriously, I was contemplating making this solely a stuffed bee listicle. Hope you can admire my restraint at only including two!
A delightful honey-themed game for the kids to play while the adults schmooze at Rosh Hashanah dinner.
Apples to Apples Game
Send the older kids away to play Apples to Apples after dipping apples in honey, as one does (though have them wash their hands first!)
Arts and crafts
My kids love a good scratch card. Heck, I love a good scratch card too. These are great for keeping them busy for 1 -5 minutes at holiday services and for finding in your sofa in a few months if you're at home. You can hang them all around the house for holiday cheer or promptly put them in the recycling bin after Rosh Hashanah dinner. You do you.
Apple Suncatcher Kit
Another beautiful, if slightly messy, craft to adorn your home with during the High Holidays. Proceed with caution and wet wipes for the paint.
Adorable reusable Rosh Hashanah stickers to keep the kids entertained at synagogue or at home. Use code Kveller20 at checkout for 20% off.
For my adult eyes, these Rosh Hashanah crayons are almost too pretty to draw with. I'm sure, however, that your kids will have no scruples about drawing with them.
Yes, Rosh Hashanah slime does exist. Yes, your children will love you if you get it for them. Yes, you might hate yourself if you get it and keep finding slime everywhere. Proceed at your own risk.
Support a small Jewish business and get the prettiest Rosh Hashanah suncatcher around — it's a win-win!
If you have teen girls, I love having a Rosh Hashanah manicure station for them. Use code Kveller20 at checkout for 20% off.
Noshes and decor
I know, I know, honey and kids do not always mix well (and if your kid is under a year old, honey and their mouth should not mix at all!) but I definitely think honey sticks are the lesser of honey evils and they just give kids so much joy.
Might you inevitably destroy these straws in the dishwasher the day after the holiday ends? Probably. Do they make really adorable kids' table decor? Undoubtedly.
Tashlich at home
Have your kids write their mistakes from the last year and throw them in a bowl or a kiddie pool to watch them disappear for a lovely at home take on tashlich.
Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool
A little pool to throw their mistakes into! Again, proceed with caution with this one, might be better for an outdoor Rosh Hashanah meal!
Something scary
A literal nightmare
Some say you have nothing to fear but fear itself. I would amend that to say that you have nothing to fear but fear itself and toy shofars. However, if you are this rare and oh-so-brave breed of parent willing to take the risk and give one to your kid this year, I have attached a link to them, with this very serious disclaimer. Go with grace and please don't blame me for any hearing loss that may occur if you make this choice.
A guide with a ton of great ideas about how to keep your kids entertained this Rosh Hashanah
Yes, we know, this is shameless self promotion, but this free guide doesn't just have menus, recipes and decor ideas, it also has some fun and easy ways to keep kids engaged this Rosh Hashanah. Chag shameach!
