Jan 31

Jan 31 Birthday of the Trees Nature Walk

Holidays, DIY, Family Outings, Jewish Values

Handmade birthday cards and tree hugs make this outing extra special!

It’s almost Tu B’Shevat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat)! On this day, we say happy birthday to the trees, and we thank the trees for so many things: fruit and nuts, shelter for little animals, cool shade on a hot day, clean air that we breathe, flowers, wood and paper (and so much more)!

Trees started having birthdays in ancient times in Israel. The age of a tree was calculated on Tu B’Shevat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat). All tree seedlings planted in that calendar year became a year old (or a year older) on this day!

A fun outing on Tu B’Shevat it to take a tree walk with your child, maybe in your neighborhood, a nature trail or a park. On your walk, you can notice the different types of trees. Since it’s winter, they might not have leaves. It’s a good time to look at their bark and branches and see if they have roots sticking out of the ground. Ask your child what they love most about trees. Appreciating the beauty of a tree and all it gives us is the Jewish value Hoda’ah (appreciation).

You can ask your child to pick their favorite tree, and sit under it together to make it a birthday card with recycled papers, markers and stickers. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song and hang your handmade cards from a tree. We like to use string or floral wire wrapped around a tree, and attach our cards with little clothespins. If you bring a birthday cupcake, you can even eat it under the tree! Trees like hugs, so your child might like to give it a hug when you’re ready to go!

Click here to make a recyclable party hat!

Let us know in the comments below if your family takes a tree walk for Tu B’Shevat, or makes a birthday card for their favorite tree! Be sure to remember where your favorite tree is located, so you can come back to visit during the year!

There are so many fun activities for families to do together to celebrate the month of Shevat and Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat. Click here for DIY Beanie Baby Necklaces, DIY Edible Almond Tree, DIY Recyclable Party Hats, Plant a Tree Seedling, Visit a Strawberry Farm and make a Tu B’Shevat Fruit Salad, and Planting Early Spring Peas for Passover.

Happy Shevat and Tu B’Shevat! ♥

~Jennifer