Over the next few weeks I’m exploring the beautiful Jewish value of tzedakah with my children so today I set up a Find and Give Tzedakah Sensory Bin for them. This sensory bin is super simple to set up and is also an easy way to have deep discussions about tzedakah.
What You’ll Need
- sensory bin
- sensory filler
- coins
- tzedakah box
- scoop and/or paintbrush (optional)
Putting It Together
- Put some coins on the bottom of a sensory bin.
- Cover with sensory filler of your choice (I used leftover lavender scented purple dyed rice)
- Set out a tzedakah box near the sensory bin.
- Invite your children to search and find the coins in the sensory filler. They can use scoops, paintbrushes, or their hands.
- Once they find coins, have them drop them into the slit of the tzedakah box.
- While they play and explore, discuss the importance of tzedakah and what your family’s tzedakah traditions look like.
Finished & Loving It!
The kids were really excited to search and find the coins. Since they couldn’t see them at all when they first came to the sensory bin, it really felt like quite a challenge. The filler was deep enough that they did not find coins immediately or constantly; they had to work to find them, which was exactly what I wanted!
I set out a paintbrush so the kids could brush away some of the sensory filler and look for the coins that way. This would help them practice their fine motor skills, focus and concentration and some strategy and patience too.
They all tried out the different equipment provided (scoops and paintbrushes) and often used their hands. Each time they found a coin they excitedly called out and loved putting it in the tzedakah box.
My daughter (9) also enjoyed adding up the value of the coins she collected. What a wonderful extension activity! This allowed her to practice identifying each coin, assessing its monetary value AND doing addition. Wow! Such a fun, hands-on way to practice these math and practical life skills!
Talking About Tzedakah
This activity was also a wonderful way to talk about tzedakah in general. Tzedakah is one of the pivotal Jewish values and one of our foundations. We often think of tzedakah as giving money or charity. But it is so much more than that. Tzedakah comes from the Hebrew word meaning righteousness, fairness or justice. There is a famous phrase “tzedak, tzedak tirdof” which means justice, justice shall you pursue. The world can be unfair. Not everyone has a safe and comfortable home, food or toys. Jews have the responsibility to give money and/or assistance to the poor or needy or to other worthwhile causes. It’s about making sure that all of the world’s resources are shared justly. Judaism teaches how important it is for everyone to contribute even if they don’t have much. It’s not just something good we are supposed to do, we are obligated to do it.
Discussing and engaging in tzedakah is a wonderful way to model and teach kids about generosity. It’s also a beautiful way for children to understand how good it feels to be a giving person. Our family talks about our tzedakah practices frequently. One of the children’s Hanukkah gifts is always tzedakah: we donate to a cause that feels meaningful to them. We also discuss that we are doing this and why. We give tzedakah throughout the year and try to always mention it and discuss how our tzedakah helps the person or animal in need. Talking about it in these ways makes it a normal, expected part of our family culture.
Other With Love, Ima Tzedakah Posts You Might Enjoy
One Mitzvah: A Short Tzedakah and Mitzvah Review Lesson Plan
Additional Resources About Tzedakah
- BimBam: Tzedakah
- Get with the Giving: Tzedakah Shaboom! Episode
- PJ Library: Tzedakah
- Reform Judaism: Tzedakah
We had so much fun searching, finding, and giving in this Find and Give Tzedakah Sensory Bin. I would love to hear more about how you discuss, model, and engage in tzedakah with your children!
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