Playing About Rosh Hashanah: The Baby Edition

Just because infants are too young to taste the honey this time of year doesn't mean they're too young to get in on the fun and sweetness of the Rosh Hashanah holiday! Here's a peek at some of the ways Y is exploring the symbols and songs of the season (and a throwback to S's baby days as well)!

Playing in the baby stage is definitely more interactive than in the toddler/preschooler stage. Play sessions are short and sweet, especially as Y gets used to his new glasses. As he is able to experience and do so much more, he gets tuckered out quickly! Our play sessions usually involve some lap-sit songs/rhymes (check out a few of our favorites at the bottom), some tummy time or seated play and some sort of toy/prop to explore (and mouth!). S also enjoys playing with Y and showing him the ropes of big boy play!

The boys' Safta and Saba sent us these great Rosh Hashanah play sets by KidCraft and Rite Lite. They are available from Amazon or in many Judaica shops. The plush set is perfect for the baby stage and the sturdier, wooden set is great for older ones. Here's a candid peek (or preview) of both boys simultaneously spilling their grape juice! With Y individually, I like to let him practice picking toys out of a basket and singing songs or rhymes using them as props. There's certainly no need to purchase a toy for the holiday as you can DIY it pretty easily (and inexpensively) as well!

This honey sensory bag is a squishy and fun way to explore honey without any of the sticky mess or risk of botulism. Because it is in a plastic bag, adult supervision is a must! Simply add some honey to a ziplock bag and seal with a layer of duct tape or masking tape to prevent leaks. 

 Y loved exploring it on his tummy and squishing it with his hands. I often place a mirror in front of him during tummy time play sessions so he can see what he's playing with from another perspective. It also helps to get right down there with your baby at this stage and interact. From an assisted seated position (or independent sitting position if your baby is already sitting on his own), Y can squish that honey with his feet as well.

So much is learned through colors and textures at this stage. This felt board Rosh Hashanah sensory wall is made from a selection of felt apple shapes and felt/burlap shofar shapes for Y to touch and experience. The burlap shofar is glued to a piece of recycled corrugated cardboard with velcro on the back. If your baby is already pulling up/propping up on surfaces, you can place these on a flat surface to lure her over to grab and explore them.

 S loved these photo blocks as a baby (and still does). I've found a variety of wooden blocks at secondhand stores and by printing photos and pictures of holiday symbols and ritual items, we were able to inspire some holiday themed block building and dramatic play. Even tiny hands can enjoy these!

A lot of S's "toys" as a baby were collected secondhand store finds and household items mixed with his small "actual" toy collection. With the baby stage I love to present themed items in a discovery basket. This basket a much younger version of S was exploring contained items in the theme of Rosh Hashanah--some items from his plush Shabbat set, a toy challah, toy apples (and even a real apple or two), a "sensory bottle" (jar) of honey and even a honey wand. He loved it! 


Discovery baskets can be presented for seated play or items can be hung from an activity mat for babies to kick and swat while on their backs. We had fun decorating and laminating this printable Rosh Hashanah Mobile from A Jewish Homeschool Blog.

 S gets a real kick out of "helping" Y to color and paint at this stage. Y sometimes needs some extra help not eating or scrunching our artwork, but S is very patient and enjoys the leadership role. Y loves being involved and especially enjoys playing right along with S.

It's a busy time of year, so sometimes those few hours that S is in school and I am home with Y are filled with a mad rush to get cooking and household tasks done in preparation for the holidays. Sometimes Y's play sessions involve a bumbo seat or activity mat in the kitchen on which to explore some pots and pans while I cook and bake. By filling his world with opportunities to play and explore, I am confident he is learning so much even at this very young age. Conversation is also hugely important. Talking about what I'm doing, singing songs and engaging in fingerplays are great ways to build vocabulary at this pre-verbal stage. Here are a few of his (and my) favorites for the season:

Dip the Apple in the Honey
(t.t.t.o. Oh My Darlin' Clementine)

Dip the apple in the honey
Make a bracha loud and clear
L'shana tova u'metukah
Have a happy and sweet new year!

The Shofar in the Shul
(t.t.t.o. The Wheels on the Bus)

The shofar in the shul goes toot, toot, toot
Toot, toot, toot
Toot, toot, toot!
The shofar in the shul goes toot, toot, toot
On Rosh Hashanah morning!

Here is a Beehive
Here is a beehive
(close fists together)
But where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Here they come, creeping out of the hive
One, two, three, four, five!
(Pop all five fingers out, one at a time)
Bzzzzzzzz!
(Tickle your baby or wiggle your fingers)

Happy and Sweet Rosh Hashanah Playing!