MORE Sukkot Themed Fun!

I love Sukkot! It's my favorite holiday of the year, and where we live the weather is just beginning to feel crisp in the mornings and at night, but warm and sunny each afternoon. Our actual Sukkah is up and standing (albeit, apparently upside down--don't ask...) and inside, our play Sukkah is also up and standing (right-side up, for now...) Yes, it's more cooking and more holiday preparation in a month of holidays that seems at once too short and too long, but with just the right amount of fun and creativity, we can play our way right through it here.

S was eager to hinder help his Tatty put up our actual Sukkah out back. He was in charge of holding the instructions, barking orders and using his toy tools...

We even took a family field trip to the hardware store to pick up some wood scraps and nails so we can try our hands at some simple woodworking during Chol Hamoed next week! Incidentally, S also asked if he could have a large tin trash can and a mop (????)...

S has learned a lot this year at preschool about Sukkot. I had such nachas to see him correctly identify the pitom on our play esrog! He is also convinced he must sleep "under the stars" in our Sukkah out back... That is not our family's custom so I negotiated my way down to pitching his play tent on top of his bed instead so he can view his glow in the dark stars overhead!

 Our strategically placed sensory table keeps S very busy while I am cooking in the kitchen. In the theme of our upcoming holiday, I set up a simple "esrog" scented rice bin. I dyed 3lbs of rice yellow (adding a few squirts of hand sanitizer to help the fool coloring spread and adhere) and added several drops of lemon essential oil. I hung some of our Sukkot themed artwork from previous years around the area and added in some scoops, recycled containers, a funnel and some toy "esrogim" (lemons and limes, but shhh, don't tell S....) It smells lovely and he really enjoys playing in it.

I highly recommend this most recent sensory table hack--a dust pan and brush affixed to the frame of our sensory table with a teething ring (yes, a teething ring)... When we use water, I keep a towel nearby for spills. At all times, I keep an apron/smock nearby to cover up clothing and this way, we are prepared to handle splashes or spills as they occur (as independently as possible).

Both boys got in on the fun of our play Sukkah this year, built using a Discovery Kids brand fort construction kit. I found our set at a TJMaxx a few years ago and have seen them at several discount stores around town. Blankets and sheets made wonderful walls and Fall garlands from Dollar Tree were perfect for the schach. Throw in some clothes pins and you've got yourself a Sukkah! (If only the real thing were so easy to build.) You don't need to buy a toy to build a play Sukkah--a large box can make an awesome Sukkah as well. One benefit to the box version is the ability to set it outside (or inside over a drop cloth) and throw in some paint for decorating!

Up and ready to go...only both boys were (thank G-d) still napping!

A basket of Sukkot themed books and toys and even some gourds and mini pumpkins are an inviting way to encourage play...but you needn't put anything in a play Sukkah at all--trust me, your little ones will come up with some great play ideas!

The wheels of creativity were already turning for S...

He brought in everything he needed to make kiddush and a smoothie for Y in the Sukkah!

Strategically hung toys make our play Sukkah a great place for kicking and playing or tummy time!

S wanted to add a welcome sign, so we got out a large sheet of paper, some markers and stickers.

Well, I've got a play tent to pitch over a certain preschooler's bed and a little more cooking to do... Wishing friends and family a Chag Sameach and Happy Playing!