DIY: “I Spy” a sweet Shabbat
Two fun ways to “spy” Shabbat (either outside on a walk or inside your home)!
In our home today, we’re getting ready for Shabbat, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I remember (a long time ago) my college advisor telling me that I sat in class like a “tight spring.” I didn’t understand what he meant at the time, but over the years, whether I was at work or at home with my children, I could physically feel my body winding up during the week. Then, finally, Friday would come with the promise of Shabbat - a special day to relax and rest. As time ticks away on Friday afternoon, I mentally feel like I have permission to exhale and physically unwind the “tight spring” held within my body. This week, with much of the world in quarantine or physical distancing, that coil feels extra tight, and I feel like on this Shabbat, not just me, but we all can use some extra exhaling.
One of my family’s favorite ways to relax on Shabbat is by taking a walk together. A few years ago after reading the PJ Library book Shai’s Shabbat Walk, by author Ellie B. Gellman, we decided to create an “I Spy” game to play on our walk with some of the things Shai sees on his walk, like animals and friends! We also added some of our own ideas to “spy” on our Shabbat walk too!
“I Spy” a sweet Shabbat ♥
You’re invited to take an “I Spy” a sweet Shabbat walk with us this weekend, and since not everyone is able to venture outside on this Shabbat, we have a creative way to experience a Shabbat “walk” inside your home too!
For families raising Jewish children, Shai’s Shabbat Walk, and other Jewish children’s books, can be mailed to your children each month for free by PJ Library! Click this link to learn more!
For taking a walk outside -
Since this is an “I Spy” game, it’s extra fun for children to make a pair of binoculars before taking your walk. You can make your own with two toilet paper tubes taped together (one toilet paper tube or paper towel tube also becomes a great telescope). The tubes can be decorated with markers, and if you have stickers or washi tape, invite your child to put them on. We think binoculars “work” better with stickers!
After you have your binoculars, you’re all set to “spy” a sweet Shabbat! These are the items we looked for on our walk:
FLOWERS - Nothing smells sweeter than flowers on Shabbat!
SLEEPING PUPPY - Shabbat is a time for resting! Do you spy a sleeping puppy?
ACORNS AND PINECONES - L’Dor V’Dor (means from generation to generation in Hebrew) - Acorns and Pinecones are seeds for the next generation of trees.
PARK BENCH - Pretend a park bench is the Shabbat table. It’s sweet to share a meal together on Shabbat!
TREES - The Torah is attached to two Etz Chaim (means tree of life in Hebrew). Trees give us fruit, shade and a home to animals. Make sure to thank a tree by giving it a hug!
BIRDS - Birds like to welcome Shabbat with a song!
FRIENDS AND FAMILY - Shabbat is a special time to be with friends and family!
WASTE BIN - when we help pick up litter, we make the world a better place to live. It’s called Tikkun Olam!
3 STARS - Shabbat is over tomorrow night when three stars appear in the sky!
And we’re off to “spy” a sweet Shabbat! (Read on to experience an “I Spy” a sweet Shabbat walk inside your home).
We covered these toilet paper tubes with scrapbook paper. ♥
“I Spy” for a walk inside your home -
If your family isn’t able to go outside, we have a fun way to play “I Spy” inside your home! We’ll be creating all the things we see on our Shabbat walk out of paper. To play along, you will need some paper, markers or crayons, scissors and tape, and “I Spy” binoculars (optional).
PJ Library sends families raising Jewish children picture books each month, beginning at 6 months to 8 years old. Books are sent at no cost to families by this wonderful non-profit organization. They also have resources online for families who may be quarantined or physical distancing. Click here to learn more and enroll (and share this link with a Jewish friend)!
Here’s how to play inside your home:
Take the list from our “I Spy” game and invite your child to draw all the items on the paper. (You can extend this activity throughout the week too by having your child draw one or two things everyday, and then by Shabbat, you will have everything for your in-home walk ready to go)!
Ask your child what else can they can spy on Shabbat? Maybe some challah, grape juice and candlesticks. Maybe it’s a special person that they are missing. Go ahead and draw these too - and even more items to spy!
You’re almost ready to take an “I Spy” Shabbat walk inside your home! After drawing and cutting out all the items on your list, it’s time to place them around the house. It’s fun for adults to do this while children close their eyes, and it’s extra fun for children to place the items around the house, and then parents can take a turn spying!
Here’s where we placed some of our items.
Some of our hiding places!
Have you ever created an activity from a book? We love that some of our favorite games are inspired by much-loved Jewish storybooks, like Shai’s Shabbat Walk! What are some ways you are unwinding this Shabbat? Let us know, and let us know if you take a Shabbat walk (outside or inside your home) and played “I Spy.” If you added other Shabbat items to our “I Spy” list, please share your ideas with us too! You can click these links to read about more indoor Shabbat activities, like DIY Shabbat flowers, making mini challah, unicorn challah, and a family favorite recipe, Nana Shirley’s Chicken Soup!
I hope this Shabbat you are able to be at ease and exhale, and I hope the smiles from your children fill you with happiness. Whether you are spending Shabbat outdoors or snug inside your home, we are sending our very best sweet Shabbat wishes to you.
Shabbat Shalom and be well. ♥
~Jennifer
