Building a Sukkah at Home

Are your kids asking to build a sukkah at home?  The basic sukkah requirements that a sukkah needs at least 2 1/2 sides. The roof may be made of branches, leaves, or dry corn stalks. Whatever material is used, it should be arranged to create a roof that does not block out the stars at night.


That leaves a variety of options for your sukkah:
1. Set up a tent or cabana frame, or use PVC piping to create a box-like structure. Attach fabric to create
walls. Then weave rope over the top, on which the roof materials can be laid down.

2. With your children, create a blueprint for your sukkah, then visit a local lumberyard, explain what you need, and have the lumber precut. It would be a good idea to attach the pieces of the sukkah with removable bolts, so it can be taken apart and reassembled for future celebrations.

3. Improvise a sukkah on your balcony or deck and decorate it.  The sukkah pictured above was part of the Sukkah City contest held in New York city last fall.  Anyone know how to make one like that?

4. Several companies sell sukkah building-kits. Search the Internet for “sukkah kits,” or start with The Sukkah Project at www.sukkot.com.

5. If you can’t build a sukkah, spread a blanket outdoors, under a tree if possible, and have a holiday picnic dinner.

Or, give your children an old shoebox to create a tabletop sukkah as a holiday centerpiece.  Just remember, Sukkot and Simchat Torah are times to engage in joyful, meaningful, and stress-free holiday activities. Choose what is best for your family to make the holiday memorable and fun.

From The Jewish Parent Page of the Union for Reform Judaism