Simchas Torah Kids' Programs
Kids Hakafot Program - Suggested Schedules:
Start with dividing the kids into two groups, then merge the groups for the dancing.
Ages 3-5 years old:
7:15- Have toys out and two tables with two different people running the games at those tables.
One with board games and one with homemade activities.
Game table- chutes and ladders, bingo, match it
Activity table- egg carton memory (lil’ kid version), cup pyramids.
7:45- Play hot and cold with Torah, water bottle bowling, Simon says, Mother may I ...
Ages 6-10 years old
7:15 - Games out for the first 10 minutes to get everyone into it. (make a few games)
7:25- Show the Torah and bags and explain what they are for
7:30-play Museum statues, Monkey ball,
7:40- Minesweeper
Egg Carton Memory (older kids version)
filler games (babysitter, flinch, wall to wall)
Have kids clean up all toys before dinner.
All ages together
8:00- Kiddush and dinner
8:15 once everyone is sitting, tell a very dramatic fascinating story keep them quiet and listening (act it out)
8:25- Explain to them all together about the hakafos. (kids hakafah, they’ll have surprises to dance with, get party bags for good dancing and singing).
Teach torah song with motions that they can perform.
Teach other songs on the song sheet.
8:40- play freeze dance.
8:45/50 practice more or line-up with a rope and get stuffed/inflatable Torahs and flags.
8:55- Hakafah for kids.
To do before Yom Tov
Bring some toys
Set up library for little kids.
Prep bingo game.
Prep match it game.
Prep egg carton game.
Prep older kids egg carton game and make paper clip board.
Bring hard plastic cups to shul.
Collect water bottles.
Collect small ball and big ball.
Find a very good story and collect props.
Print Hakafot song sheets.
Prepare Torahs and shtick and bags and flags to give out.
Ideas to Add Chayus:
bring out a parachute and put stuffed Torahs inside and all the kids shake it /walk in a circle, go under it.
Train, limbo.
Have a mascot of some sort dance with them is fun. A Torah mascot is great, but even random costumes like dreidel/freedoman are good.
buy tons of stuff from the dollar store, funny hats, necklaces, pompoms, sunglasses etc. and have the kids choose one or two things before coming in for their hakafa.
Teach the kids a specific song before
Torah craft.
Food craft-smiley faces and flags with crackers pretzels chocolate chips and sliced apples.
Live Torah relay race: Use a flat sheet or material. Two kids have to wrap themselves inside sheet on each end and meet in the middle like a Torah. Need to walk together to their teams line. Have 2 lines and 2 kids keep swapping- like the finishing and renewing of reading the Torah.
Simchat Torah Carnival:
Program |
2-5 years 5:45pm – 6:45pm 5:45 Rabbi welcomes children, story, circle time 5:50 Children receive hot dog, french fries, drink 6:00 Food craft and games Shul- Mincha, 6.15pm *if more than 16 children, split into 2 groups (2,3 yrs & 4,5 yrs) 6:30 Join together to go to Shul and dance with Torah 6:45 Goody bags Maariv 6.45pm |
7.00pm Kiddush, Hakafos |
Preparation |
1) Organize volunteers to run programs for children |
2) Go through list of games and ensure all items needed are prepared and available. Gather all items into one box so they can be accessed easily on the day |
3) Shopping: Ingredients for food craft - tea biscuits, lady fingers, marshmallow fluff, sour sticks, sprinkles Things for games - Twizzlers. Foodservice items – French fry cups, frozen french fries, hot dog bags |
4) Ensure there are enough song sheets/flags for the children- if not then make more. |
List of Games |
1) Relay Races: - Run to the stuffed Torah wearing shoeboxes/ tissue box as shoes to give the Torah a hug - Pass the flag - Run to the bima and run around it as fast as you can while holding the Torah |
2) Puzzle hunt |
3) Twizzler Pictionary |
4) Step on it |
5) Food craft – make a Torah |