Rosh Hashanah activities – Worksheets for EYFS, KS1 & KS2

Looking for meaningful Rosh Hashanah activities to bring this important Jewish festival to life in your classroom? Our engaging resources will help pupils explore its traditions, symbols and significance in a way that’s accessible and age-appropriate...

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. It means ‘head of the year’ and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year.

It’s a time for reflection, repentance and renewal, marking the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.

Rosh Hashanah also begins the Ten Days of Awe, a solemn period of reflection and repentance leading up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). During this time, Jewish people consider their actions from the past year, ask for forgiveness and try to make amends.

When is Rosh Hashanah?

Jewish people usually celebrate the festival in September or October, depending on the Hebrew calendar, starting on the first day of Tishrei.

In 2025, Rosh Hashanah takes place between Monday 22nd September and Wednesday 24th September.

What traditions are there?

Traditions include the sounding of the shofar (a ram’s horn), which serves as a call to reflection. There's also the Tashlich ceremony, where Jewish people symbolically cast away their sins by throwing breadcrumbs or pebbles into flowing water.

Food plays a significant part in the celebration. Apples dipped in honey are eaten to symbolise hopes for a sweet new year. Round challah bread represents the cyclical nature of the year, and pomegranates are enjoyed for their many seeds, symbolising good deeds and blessings to come.

Rosh Hashanah activities for the classroom

To help you teach Rosh Hashanah in an age-appropriate way, we’ve developed a range of engaging classroom resources.

These resources are perfect for integrating into your RE curriculum or cross-curricular topic work. Whether you’re starting discussions in EYFS or exploring religious traditions in KS2, we’ve got everything you need to make Rosh Hashanah meaningful and memorable for your class.

EYFS Rosh Hashanah activities

Our EYFS pack includes image cards and a “How do you celebrate?” worksheet, encouraging children to compare Rosh Hashanah with their own experiences. It supports Communication & Language and Understanding the World early learning goals.

KS1 comprehension pack

We provide a PowerPoint and PDF comprehension pack, ideal for whole-class reading or guided sessions. Pupils learn key facts, answer questions and complete a worksheet linking images to traditions such as apples and honey and going to the synagogue.

LKS2 Rosh Hashanah activities

This reading comprehension resource for lower KS2 offers a more detailed look at Rosh Hashanah, including history, symbolism, and how it is observed today. It builds reading skills while deepening RE understanding.

We also have resources about Hanukkah and Yom Kippur. Head over to Teachwire for a lesson plan about Tu Bishvat, the 'festival of trees'.