Keep your kids busy (and well fed) all day so you can concentrate on the davening.
The men and teens may be out of the house all day, but as a mom of little kids, you have a double task when Yom Kippur comes. Your kids will need you and want you, but you also want to spend quality time with your siddur, making the day as meaningful as possible. Here’s our roundup of tips to help you keep those kids happy so you can have ample quiet time for davening.
Activities
Pipe Cleaner Bracelet Activity
This is the best activity for so many ages. It’s fun and delicious! All you need is pipe cleaners and fruit loops and the kids will be busy. Read the rest of the post here.
Activities
Simple Ideas for Entertaining a Toddler
A while back we asked our readers for ideas on how to entertain a toddler. Not all are Shabbos and Yom Tov-friendly but there are a few good ones in there, including:
“Have them set the table with plastic spoons and cups.”
“Sit in a rocking chair with a sippy cup and a favorite book.”
“Buy paper bathroom cups by the hundreds…you’ll be amazed what they can build with them.”
Activities
Build a City with Painter’s Tape
A roll of painter’s tape may be your solution. Let them set up the course you see here on erev yom kippur (when they’re home anyway) and play on Yom Kippur. Read the post here.
Shabbos and Yom Tov Friendly Games
These are our favorite toys for shabbos and yom tov. No lights, no music!
Games
Favorite Board Games
Read this post for our favorite board games. Buy it now and have them for Chol Homoed too!
Games
Toys to Bring Along
If your child is old enough to come to shul with you, take along these games for just in case situations!
Book Recommendations
Nothing entertains a child for a longer stretch of time than a good book! Head out to your local store to get stocked up. We’ve got lots of kid’s book recommendations in these posts.
Food
It’s best if you can put up a meal on a Crock-Pot ahead of time so the kids have something to eat during the day. (Just be sure to keep in mind the halachos regarding taking food out of a Crock-Pot while it’s still cooking.)
Crock-Pot Overnight Potato Kugel
Growing up, my mother always made a double recipe of kugel on Erev Yom Kippur. Half went into the oven for the pre-fast meal, and the other half went into a Crock-Pot for the kids to eat on Yom Kippur. Fasting while smelling overnight potato kugel is a whole new level of challenge, but if we were lucky, there was even some left for the adults when the fast was over!
More Crockpot Ideas
Perhaps try something from our Crock-Pot roundup.
Nutritious Snacks
It’s also helpful to simply have some wholesome snacks around. If you don’t want to spend time prepping meals, but you still want the kids to have access to nutritious things that will fill them up, I like to boil some eggs and cook a pot of pasta. Here is a great list of ideas.
Teach Them About the Day
If you’re home anyway and the kids need your attention, use the time as an opportunity to teach them about the power and meaning of the day.
How to Teach Children to Apologize Sincerely
Even small children can connect to this aspect of Yom Kippur.
How Do We Get Our Children to Listen to Us?
And to help keep the day peaceful, brush up on your “getting kids to listen to you” skills ahead of time with these tips.
Gmar Chasimah Tovah!