Dr. Emily Aronoff10 Sukkot Songs for Kiddos
Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, is a cherished (busy) time in the Jewish calendar, a holiday filled with joy, gratitude, and harvest celebrations. And what better way to instill the values and stories of Sukkot in the hearts and minds of our kiddos 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 songs for Sukkot. Let’s make memories, one melody at a time.
🎵 What's New for 2025!
After years of many years leading Sukkot programs, I finally wrote the songs I’d been wishing existed! This updated collection now includes TWO brand-new tunes alongside 8 songs I’ve used and loved for years. The new songs fill specific gaps: one zipper movement aims to welcome kiddos and their participation and the other is TTTO (to the tune of) Old MacDonald.
If you’re also celebrating Simchat Torah soon, check out 10 Simchat Torah Songs for Kiddos for more joyful music ideas.
10 Favorite Sukkot Songs for Kiddos
1. Joyful Sukkot Song by Dr. Emily
This zipper song has become my go-to for creating immediate joy and participation. I designed it to embody Sukkot as Z’man Simchateinu, the Season of Our Joy.
I start singing as families enter the sukkah: “I like to sit in the sukkah, so come and sit along / This is a joyful sukkot sitting song!” Then we switch to dancing, and after that, I open it up: “What else should we do in our sukkah?”
2. Party in The Sukkah by Lisa Baydush
Party In The Sukkah Chords
This is my MOST favorite song by Lisa Baydush, who has offered us many gems over the years. Each repetition of the chorus is a dance party, with various moves for the verses.
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!
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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. 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.
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4. Ancient Farmers Build Sukkot (TTTO Old Macdonald)
adapted by Dr. Emily
I wrote this song because I wanted a way to help little ones connect the ancient agricultural roots of Sukkot with actions they can DO right now. Using the familiar “Old MacDonald” framework means even the youngest participants can join in immediately and the silly (and Jewish-y) sounds (“ai diggy dai diggy dai!”) get everyone giggling while learning.
This song moves through the Sukkot experience chronologically: building, welcoming, using the lulav and etrog, expressing gratitude, sharing meals, stargazing, and even sleeping in the sukkah. Each verse has a built-in movement, making it perfect for wiggly bodies.
Want more Songs and Strategies?
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Select from a library of songs that fit your learners and setting
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Connect with a network of colleagues who care deeply about joyful, meaningful Jewish learning
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.
10. Shake The Lulav by DJ MUSIIX
This bumpin’ new hit was just released this year (5786) and I’m excited to she it with my kiddos. I’ll share instruments that shake (maracas, tambourines, etc.) and we’ll vibe!
Celebrate Sukkot Through Song
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.
