Easy Ways to Keep Kids Busy on Tisha B’Av

With Tisha B’Av coming up, keeping our kids occupied is more important than ever. With that in mind, we’re sharing a bunch of easy activity ideas for all ages.

The best part? All these ideas can be done with supplies you probably already have in your house. That means no shopping required!

1. Story stones

For ages: Ages 3 – 9

You’ll need: A collection of relatively smooth stones, paint, paintbrushes

Your child can create and decorate his own story stones with illustrations of things like flowers, designs, vehicles, or animals. Use these stones as prompts for storytelling.

To relate this activity to the fast day, suggest that your child paint the stones to look as if they came from the Beit Hamikdash, or use the pictures on the stones to tell stories related to Temple’s destruction.

2. Kotel craft 

For ages: Ages 3 – 7

You’ll need: Construction paper, safety scissors, glue stick

It’s always tough to impart the meaning of Tisha B’Av to younger children. An easy hands-on Kotel collage can help them begin to visualize the concept of the Beit Hamikdash and Western Wall.

3. Story time 

For ages: Ages 2 –10

You’ll need: An internet-enabled device

For those moments when you need some quiet time, take advantage of the many free Jewish audio stories available online. Have your child cozy up on the couch, listen to a story, and learn something while they’re at it!

Try these sites for free, kid-friendly Jewish stories:

• Torah Anytime kids
• Chabad.org
• Chilazon Press

4. Book swap

For ages: All ages

You’ll need: A friend to trade books with

With many libraries closed, why not organize a book swap with your child’s friend(s)? Kids will love having a fresh stack of books to dive into come Tisha B’Av.

5. Fun with balloons

For ages: Toddler – age 8

You’ll need: A pack of balloons

Additional supplies (optional): Plastic cups, a plastic baseball bat

Ever see how excited kids get with just one balloon? Multiply that by 10 or 20 — and you get one super engaging activity.

Some easy balloon game ideas:

• How long can you keep the balloon in the air?
• Balance balloons on plastic cups (how many can you get before they fall down?)
• Balloon baseball

Thank you kosher.com for putting together this list