folded sukkah tapestries with built-in grommets

3 DIY Sukkah Decorations You’ll Actually Want to Keep: Ushpizin Puppets, Felt Lulav, and Glitter-Leaf Glory

Sukkot is the rare holiday where your mitzvah setup can include googly eyes, glitter, and a suspiciously long paper chain from 2003. If your family decorating session hovers somewhere between “Pinterest fever dream” and “toddler-led avant-garde,” this one’s for you.

Below are three crowd-pleasing DIYs – kid-friendly Ushpizin Puppets, tactile Felt Lulav & Etrog toys, and glam-vintage Glitter Leaves – rewritten to be fun, fast, and failure-tolerant. 

Project 1: Ushpizin Puppets  –  Storytime on a Stick

Vibe: Educational, adorable, dramatic readings encouraged.
Great for: Kids, classrooms, that one uncle who loves impressions.

What You’re Making

Seven simple stick puppets of the Ushpizin – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and King David – each with an iconic symbol to spark conversation (harp for David, luchot for Moshe, etc.). Use color-in printables for a calm activity or full-color for instant theater.

You’ll Need

  • White cardstock

  • Scissors (or a cutting machine for “print then cut”)

  • Crayons/markers (optional if coloring)

  • Craft sticks (7)

  • Glue or tape

  • Laminator (optional but recommended)

How to Make ‘Em Fast

  1. Print: Color-in pages for crafty kids; full-color for speed demons.

  2. Cut: Big outlines = easy wins. Cricut fans, use “print then cut.”

  3. Reinforce: Laminate if you can – Sukkot dinners get… spirited.

  4. Stick ‘Em: Glue each figure to a craft stick. Curtain up!

Pro Tips

  • Add fabric bits (mini cloak for David? yes please), glitter (Aaron’s breastplate!), or sequins.

  • Clip the set to a string with clothespins for wall art between performances.

Project 2: Felt Lulav & Etrog – The Tactile Toy Set (Two Ways)

Vibe: Montessori meets mitzvah.
Great for: Hands-on learners, toddler role-play, shul play corners.

You get two builds from the same template: a quick Flat Set (great for quiet books) and a deluxe 3D Plush Set (wired branches, stuffable etrog!).

Materials

  • Felt (greens, deep yellow, brown; standard craft felt or dreamy wool felt)

  • Fabric scissors (or Cricut Maker + rotary blade & FabricGrip mat)

  • Embroidery floss & needle (or hot glue for the simple build)

  • Poly-Fil or poly pellets

  • 20-gauge jewelry wire + cutters (for 3D branches)

  • Straight pins or washable fabric pen

  • Hot glue gun (even if sewing – it speeds assembly)

  • The PDF/SVG template

Option A: The Flat “Quiet-Book” Set (Fast Track)

  1. Cut the etrog (two segments + stems) and lulav parts.

  2. Etrog: Glue stems; glue halves most of the way; add poly pellets for a cute bean-bag feel; seal.

  3. Lulav Base: Roll thin felt rectangles into branch “sticks” with hot glue. Lay out your holder, glue three branches right, two left, and the center lulav leaf stack.

  4. Stuff & Seal: Run glue around the leaf edges, leave an opening, pour in pellets, then close.

  5. Leaves: Add wider leaves on the right (hadassim) and longer ones on the left (aravot). Done!

Option B: The “Whoa, You Sew?” 3D Set

Etrog:

  1. Cut four segments + two stems.

  2. Glue stems in place (much easier than pinning).

  3. Sew two halves (whipstitch), then sew halves together, stuff firmly, close, and secure the pitam with a few extra passes.

Lulav:

  1. Sew the holder edges, leaving the pockets open (bottom center + top right/left/center).

  2. Cut five branches; glue a length of wire inside each; whipstitch around.

  3. Slide branches into their pockets (3 right = hadassim, 2 left = aravot).

  4. Cut three layered center lulav leaves; stitch overlap; slide through the center pocket.

Project 3: Glitter Leaves from Old Books  –  Vintage Meets Sparkle

Vibe: Grandma’s library, but make it glam.
Great for: Garlands, mobiles, table scatter, photo backdrops.

You’ll Need

  • Old book pages (or printed “book page” sheets)

  • Pencil, scissors

  • White school glue or glitter glue

  • Glitter (biodegradable options exist!)

  • Cotton twine (for hanging)

  • Mod Podge (optional seal to reduce glitter shed)

  • A leaf template (printable or trace a real one)

Make the Magic

  1. Trace a classic maple leaf (or three sizes for variety).

  2. Cut the shape – don’t sweat perfection; glitter covers a multitude of sins.

  3. Outline the edges with a thin bead of glue.

  4. Glitter shower, tap off excess, repeat as needed.

  5. String a bunch on twine for a garland, or glue single leaves to individual strings for a dangling cascade.

  6. Seal with Mod Podge if you’re anti-sparkle-fallout.

Display Ideas

  • Drape across a beaded clothesline with the kids’ art.

  • Frame a bulletin board or entryway arch.

  • Use mini leaves as bookmarks or place cards.

Wrap-Up 

Sukkah decorating is equal parts halacha, art class, and light engineering. With Ushpizin Puppets for storytelling, a Felt Lulav & Etrog set for hands-on learning, and Glitter Leaves for instant atmosphere, you’ll cover the cute, the tactile, and the tasteful – all without tripping over the rulebook.

Chag Sameach – may your booth be cozy, kosher, and only lightly glitter-dusted by Hoshana Rabbah.

 

Back to blog