Dr. Emily AronoffSukkot, the Festival of Booths, is a cherished time in the Jewish calendar. Not only does it provide a beautiful platform to relive our ancestors’ journey through the desert, but it’s also a holiday filled with joy, gratitude, and harvest celebrations. And what better way to instill the values and stories of Sukkot in the young minds of our community than through the magical medium of music? As a dedicated songleader and educational consultant in the Jewish community, I’ve made it my mission to bridge traditions with tunes. So, whether you’re a rabbi, cantor, educator, or simply a loving parent or grandparent, dive into these 10 delightful Sukkot songs for kiddos. Let’s make memories, one melody at a time. I’ve tried out many Sukkot songs with kids and families in schools, JCCs, and synagogues and these are a few trusted melodies I recommend. Of course, this list is non-exhaustive- comment to let us know other songs you love!
1. God, God, God by Ellen Allard
Ellen’s uber engaging song invites engagement of diverse types to folks of every age and stage. To start, I ask participants to take out one finger on each hand and then show me what part of their body they use to hear, see, smell, taste, touch, know, and feel. Then, I ask them to take a listening turn and point along while I model the moves rhythmically and sing the lyrics. As the chorus repeats and the words get more familiar, I encourage participants to choose to sing, point, or listen. I use this as a ‘warm up’ song and then revisit it when we discuss the process of shaking a lulav in every direction.
2. Party in The Sukkah by Lisa Baydush
This is my MOST favorite song by Lisa Baydush, who has offered us many gems over the years. It is a “zipper” song, so the leader or the participants can contribute a verb to each verse of the song- and each time we sing the chorus, we break out in dance!
Verse 1:
Gonna build me a sukkah!
Gonna build me a sukkah!
Gonna build me a sukkah!
Then we’ll party in the sukkah all week long!
Chorus: Dance, dance, dance, dance ‘n dance (3x)… end: dance!
Then, offer or collect suggestions to describe all the ritual and joyful elements of sukkah dwelling:
Invite friends to the sukkah…
Eat out in the sukkah…
Stargaze in the sukkah…
Sleep out in the sukkah…
Yawn/snore in the sukkah…
Text friends in the sukkah…
make up your own!
3. The Lulav Shake by DJ Ralphie
This entertaining music sounds like what would happen in a Sukkot spin class- and watching my kids dance around the sukkah happily to this song is a delightful experience. If you share this song in a classroom, distribute shaker eggs or tambourines so that their joyful noise can be heard by your neighboring sukkah dwellers.
4. Sukkah Shakin by (Grammy Award Winning) Joanie Leeds
I like to use Joanie’s recording of this song when I use this song with kids and families. I might distribute shaker eggs, maracas, or handheld streamers to kids and families to encourage rhythmic movement.
5. Sukkat Shalom- by Eliana Light
I came to know and love this song when I heard it in a Facebook Live concert Eliana led with out friend Chava Mirel during the pandemic. It hit my heart that night, and I revisit this song like I do a familiar friend or comfy blanket. I appreciate that this song works for Sukkot- but also on any day of the year. Eliana’s song offers what we all need most: safety.
The chorus offers this comforting message:
But in this Sukkat Shalom
Your love surrounds me
Sukkat Shalom and it’s all around me
I know I’m safe and protected in this world that is
Your home
Your Sukkat Shalom
She shares: “Songs are great at keeping me company. One particular night on the way home from Friday night dinner, this song popped into my head. The tune wrapped around me like a hug, and the words reminded me that I wasn’t alone.”
6. Build it Up by Ellen Allard
Like so many of Ellen Allard’s songs, this tune is a delightful earworm. The chorus of the song is simple and repeatable- and easily lends itself to harmony. When I share this song with kiddos, I teach the sign for build and encourage kids to use their ‘building fists’ as a form of percussion
7. Livin’ In A Booth by The Fountainheads
The Fountainheads thoughtfully constructed parody of “Marry You” by Bruno Mars that I find particularly delightful. Before sharing the clip with kiddos, I will encourage their engagement by offering a few cues: How Many Etrogs (Lemons) can you spot throughout the video? What Disney Movie does inspired these musicians? Can you tap a part of your body to the beat for the entire duration of the song?
8. Patish, Masmer
This is a classic Hebrew song and I use these small wooden hammers as rhythmic instruments that I use for this song on Sukkot and then again during Passover for songs about building and banging in ancient Egypt.
9. In My Sukkah by Dean Friedman
I love a good echo song- instantly interactive, this type of song levels the playing field for celebrants of the holiday who may have limited experience. This chorus of the song lends itself to the use of visual props- consider printing out images of certain words that are repeated so that you can provide a visual cue and/or adding movement to encourage participants to learn the non-echo elements of this tune.
10. Do You Want To Build A Sukkah?
Cheesy but delightful, this charming parody reliably delights folks who love Frozen. This one is SUPER silly- and also a really effective way to peak the interest of our smallest sukkah dwellers. The familiar melody and relatable faces of the family that wrote and performed this piece have inspired my kiddos to create parodies of their own.
Chag Sukkot Sameach– Happy Sukkot!
I hope you and your littles enjoy this holiday. Thanks for choosing music so carefully- it is a terrific investment in Jewish identity, community, and continuity. I appreciate your sacred work and thank you for allowing me to support it.
As the sound of the sukkah’s rustling leaves mixes with the infectious laughter of children, I hope these songs become the soundtrack of your Sukkot celebrations. Each melody offers an opportunity to not only educate but also to bond with the young ones over shared traditions and stories. I believe in the transformative power of music, and with each song, we’re preserving our rich Jewish heritage for the next generation. I’d love to hear which of these songs resonated most with your kiddos. Please feel free to share your stories, videos, or even new song suggestions in the comments below. Chag Sameach and may your Sukkot be filled with joy, song, and togetherness.
