Discover a Jewish tradition
🌿 Sukkot for kids
Sukkot is a seven-day harvest festival. A sukkah is a temporary shelter with a roof made from plant material. Eating there recalls the shelters of the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.
The four species are a palm branch, myrtle, willow and a citron called an etrog. Many families decorate the sukkah and welcome guests. Children can make paper decorations and notice how a temporary home differs from a permanent one.
The dates here cover Sukkot itself. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah follow it, with different arrangements in Israel and abroad. Use the separate Simchat Torah page to see those dates.
Dates for 2026 and 2027
2026
Begins: Fri, September 25, 2026 at sunset
Ends: Fri, October 2, 2026 at nightfall
2027
Begins: Fri, October 15, 2027 at sunset
Ends: Fri, October 22, 2027 at nightfall
Dates begin on the preceding evening. Candle lighting is before sunset when welcoming Shabbat; exact local times require a location. These dates are not candle-lighting times.
Calendar reference: Hebcal holiday calendar. Dates are calculated with the site's Hebrew calendar conversion.
A blessing to learn together
Dwelling in the sukkah
Used with eating in the sukkah according to community practice.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לֵישֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה.
Transliteration
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetsivanu leishev basukkah.
Meaning in English
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to dwell in the sukkah.
Traditional Hebrew wording reused from the site's blessing collection; English translation written for this page. This is a learning excerpt, not a complete service. The Hebrew spelling ה׳ stands for the divine name; follow your teacher's practice when learning aloud.
Sukkot coloring pages
Match the holiday words
Learn four words in English and Hebrew. Point to each pair together before trying the mixed-up version. The second printed page is an answer key.
sukkah — סוכה
palm branch — לולב
citron — אתרוג
guest — אורח
Frequently asked questions
What does sukkot mean?
It is the plural of sukkah: shelters or booths. The holiday is also associated with gathering the harvest.
Can I print the Sukkot activities?
Yes. The word match includes a separate answer page, and each coloring drawing has its own print or PDF button. Prepare materials in advance if your family avoids writing or printing on the holiday.
Why do some dates differ between Israel and abroad?
Some festivals have an additional day in many communities outside Israel. Use the calendar selector and follow your local community calendar.
Explore more: All Jewish holidays, and Learn Hebrew letters.