Passover (Pesach) is a time of traditions and remembrance, but for children, adding a new activity to enhance the stories, songs and symbolism of Passover can make memories to look forward to each year. Try one or more of these games or activities at your celebration.
- A Haggadah for Non-Readers - A Haggadah is a textual guide to the traditions of Passover, but what about the littlest ones in the group? Create a baby-friendly version using sheets of felt, bound together with ribbon (on the right since Hebrew books are read from right to left), then use other felt shapes to simplify the 15 steps of the Seder into picture form and a fabric pen to write English and Hebrew phrases.
- Four Question Scramble - Oh no! There are four envelopes with The Four Questions traditionally discussed during the Seder inside, but the questions are all cut up and mixed up! For this game, type up the four questions and cut them apart, challenge the young (and old!) to put the question in proper sequence. Give prizes for the team that assembles their questions in the correct order the fastest.
- Cardboard Tube Exodus - Create a special centerpiece out of cardboard tubes, fabric and other small props to represent the Jewish people leaving Egypt, each with a piece of matzah attached to their bodies. Clothing can be made out of scraps of fabric. Have fun creating different family members out of each tube. You could also depict baby Moses (put half a cardboard tube in a recycled container for blueberries with a paper towel diaper) being taken out of the river by Pharaoh's daughter.
- Matzah House - Usually matzah comes in a package with many pieces, so use the remainder to create a Jewish home made of matzah (use hazelnut spread to adhere the sides and roof) with the Passover door marked in red licorice. You can also use triangles to represent the pyramids of Egypt.
- Passover Around the World - Since this celebration is centered on building community around a shared tradition and story, use the informative book "Passover Around the World" by Tami Lehman-Wilzig to see how Jewish people all over the world celebrate this sacred holiday. Try stuffed dates from Morocco or a new Charoset recipe from India.
