🌳 Tu B’Shvat ט״וּ בִּשְׁבָט
January or February Ages 4–11
Tu B’Shvat is the New Year for Trees — like a birthday party for trees! People plant trees, eat fruit and think about caring for nature.
💬 Say: Happy birthday, trees!
📅 When is Tu B’Shvat?
| 2026 | Begins at sundown on Sun, Feb 1, 2026 · ends at nightfall the next day |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Begins at sundown on Fri, Jan 22, 2027 · ends at nightfall the next day |
| 2028 | Begins at sundown on Fri, Feb 11, 2028 · ends at nightfall the next day |
Jewish days begin at sundown. Dates follow the calendar used outside Israel; some holidays are a day shorter in Israel.
📖 The story
The name means "the 15th of Shevat," the Hebrew date of the holiday. Long ago, it was the date used to count the age of fruit trees in the Land of Israel. Today it has become a celebration of trees and nature.
Many families eat fruits from the "seven species" mentioned in the Torah: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Some hold a Tu B’Shvat seder with four cups of juice — from white to red — and fruits of different kinds.
In Israel, the almond trees start to bloom around Tu B’Shvat. In the United States it is still winter, so many families plant seeds indoors, give money to plant trees, or learn how to protect the environment.
✨ How we celebrate
- Eating fruit — especially the seven species
- Planting a tree or seeds
- A Tu B’Shvat seder
- Learning to care for the Earth
🔤 Hebrew words to learn
| tree | עֵץ |
| fruit | פְּרִי |
| almond | שָׁקֵד |
| to plant | לִטֹּעַ |
🙏 A blessing: Fruit of the tree
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ.
Say it: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, borei peri ha-etz.
It means: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
Said before eating tree fruit. Not every food on a fruit plate takes this blessing.
✂️ Crafts & activities
Grow a Windowsill Garden
You need: Clear cup, Paper towel, Dry beans, Water
- Line the cup with a damp paper towel.
- Slide three beans between the towel and the cup.
- Keep the towel damp and watch roots and sprouts grow over a week. Draw them each day!
🖍️ Tu B’Shvat coloring pages
Tu B’Shvat quiz
Tu B’Shvat is the New Year for…
What does "Tu" stand for?
Which is one of the seven species?
Which tree blooms in Israel around Tu B’Shvat?
💭 Let’s talk
What can your family do this year to help trees and nature?
__________________________________________________