Tu Bishvat Activities for 2022 - Free Activities for Kids and Families

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Tu Bishvat 2022 starts at sunset on Sunday, January 16. Tu Bishvat ends the night of Monday, January 17. In this post, you’ll find 2022 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) It’s the celebration of the New Year for Trees. Tu Bishvat is sometimes referred to as The Birthday of the Trees or Jewish Arbor Day.

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 as well as 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 is when the trees start blooming in Israel and begin the fruit-bearing cycle. Fruit trees were awarded 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. All of 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 some links to kid-friendly Tu B’shevat Seders.

Free Tu Bishvat Activities For Kids

With these Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages, you can learn about the Jewish holiday.

Tu B’Shevat coloring pages from Chabad
Torah Tots Tu B’Shevat coloring pages

Activity Pages for Kids

If you are looking for Tu Bishvat activities for kids, then you’ll want to take a look at these free activity pages.

Tu Bishvat Crossword Puzzle and Word Search
Recycled Crafts
Torah Tots Word Find
Tu B’ishvat Online Greeting Cards
Online scavenger hunt lesson for Tu B’shvat – grades 3-6
5 Cool Tu Bishvat Activities for Kids from the Jewish Hostess
Holiday Tu B’Shevat Crafts from Creative Jewish Mom

Tu Bishvat Crafts

Gather some construction paper, scissors, glue, and a pencil or crayon. Sit down with your child. Have your child draw the trunks of a trees. Help them cut out leaves for the trees. Then glue down the leaves on the trees. You can also glue cotton balls for clouds. All along talk to them about about the important of the environment and nature. Ask them what they are thankful for and write those down with them.