Reading Time: 5 minutes Tu Bishvat Activities for 2023 – Free Activities for Kids
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Tu Bishvat 2023 starts at sunset on Sunday, February 5. Tu Bishvat ends the night of Monday, February 6. In this post, you’ll find 2023 Tu Bishvat activities for the whole family.
What is Tu Bishvat (also called Tu B’Shevat and Tu B’Shvat)?
On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, Jews celebrate the holiday Tu Bishvat. Judaism has several new years. Tu Bishvat is one of the four “new years” in the Jewish calendar and appears in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 14a)
Tu Bishvat is the celebration of the New Year for Trees. Tu Bishvat is sometimes referred to as The Birthday of the Trees or Jewish Arbor Day.
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Tu Bishvat Seder
Tu Bishvat’s Seder is modeled after the Passover Seder. In celebration of Tu Bishvat, fruit such as dates, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and olives are eaten and nuts like almonds. Sometimes apples, peaches, plums,, wheat, and barley are also part of the Tu B’Shvat Seder menu. Wine or grape juice is usually drank.
The Jewish blessing over the fruit is Baruch Atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech ha’olam borei pri ha-etz. (Blessed are you, lord our God, king of the universe, who created the fruit of the tree.)
Tu Bishvat Activities
During this time, the trees start blooming in Israel and begin the fruit-bearing cycle. Fruit trees were awarded the special status in the Torah since they are critical to sustaining life. Fruit trees are a symbol of God’s divine favor.
In addition to the Seder, many families spend Tu B’Shevat planting tree saplings or doing basic gardening. These things show appreciation, gratitude, and respect for trees and the earth. Tu Bishvat is an agricultural festival to honor the planet.
In lieu of planting trees, many people contribute money to the Jewish National Fund (the JNF) to plant trees in Israel.
Since some people have Tu Bishvat seders, I included links to kid-friendly Tu B’shevat Seders.
Free Tu Bishvat Activities For Kids
If you are looking for Tu Bishvat activities for kids, then you’ll want to look at these free Tu Bishactivities.
You’ve eaten dehydrated fruit, and it’s still real fruit. Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets are along the same lines. They’re actual laundry detergent but made in eco-friendly sheets. They’re just dehydrated laundry sheets that come in cardboard envelopes.
- In sod pots by a window with natural sunlight, plant parsley seeds. For the Passover seder, gather the parsley.
- Next to a window with sunlight, plant a flowering bulb kit. This is a beautiful teaser to the upcoming spring season in the middle of winter.
- Plant a sapling in your yard if you live somewhere where planting outdoors at this time of year is feasible.
- Tu Bishvat Crossword Puzzle and Word Search
- Make a difference in your neighborhood by joining a cleanup initiative.
- Torah Tots Word Find
- Tu B’ishvat Online Greeting Cards
- Allow children to help you make trail mix by sorting the ingredients, such as five carob chips, eight dried apple slices, four almonds, etc.
- Cook traditional Tu Bishvat foods like dried fruit, honey, nuts, olives and dates
- Go on an outdoor nature scavenger hunt to find items associated with the holiday such as wheat, figs and grapes
- Sing songs about trees or Jewish holidays that celebrate nature
- Relax and enjoy a picnic in your backyard or local park
Tu Bishvat Crafts
- With these Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages, you can learn about the Jewish holiday. Tu B’Shevat coloring pages from Chabad and Torah Tots Tu B’Shevat coloring pages
- Make a nature craft, like a tree made out of paper and decorated with colorful leaves
- Gather construction paper, scissors, glue, and a pencil or crayon. Sit down with your child. Have your child draw the trunks of trees. Help them cut out leaves for the trees. Then glue down the leaves on the trees.
- Find trees with your kids. Let the child take a picture. Then have the picture framed for them.
- You can also glue cotton balls for clouds. All along, talk to them about the importance of the environment and nature. Ask them what they are thankful for and write those down with them.
- To attract birds and other wildlife, fill a bird feeder with birdseed or unbuttered popcorn and hang it from a tree.
- Create artwork depicting the seven species of Israel; wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates
- Make Tu Bishvat cards for friends and family and share your wishes for the new year
Free Tu Bishvat Seders And Activities Online
- Run a Tree campaign for your school!
- Tu B’Shvat Seder for Very Young Children by The Lookstein Center– Seder for young kids ages 3 -5
- Seeds of Hope: A Babaganewz Seder for Tu B’shevat – Printable Seder
- 3 Tu Bishvat Haggadahs for Kids – PDF TuBishvat Family Friendly Haggadas
Tu Bishvat Kids Books
In addition to Tu Bishvat activities, there are a variety of Tu Bishvat kids books.
Tu B’Shevat Games, Music, Activities, and More – For Purchase
Tu B’Shevat Games, Music, Activities, and More – For PurchaseIf you are looking for some games, music, and more, to celebrate the Jewish new year of the trees, then check out these links.
And more Tu Bishvat goodies for purchase here.
Next Up From ChaChingQueen
Get ready for the next Jewish holidays with Fun Purim Activities for Kids and free online streaming services for the High Holidays.
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
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Erin is the mother of identical twin girls and their slightly older brother. She is a domestic engineer, and previously had a career leading customer service teams for a major HVAC company. Cleaning without harsh chemicals, and cooking easy and usually healthy meals are part of Erin's daily life. She volunteers with youth leaders, and genuinely wants to help others win. Erin has a degree in Communications, with a focus on Broadcast Journalism.