Get Crafty with Passover Traditions
Let’s face it—the Passover story can get a little long for our little ones. While it’s an incredible story, you can teach it to your nieces and nephews in an upbeat way. Teach them about the story and traditions through modern crafts that emphasize family togetherness.
You will revitalize your Pesach family traditions with crafts, activities, and contests that will have your nieces and nephews eager to lead the Seder instead of snoozing through it.
Here are more ways to make Passover more engaging for the kids and to promote more family bonding from Celebrations.com’s Jessica Zachary!
Elijah’s Goblet Craft
Elijah’s Goblet is important for the Passover meal because it represents Elijah, the Hebrew Prophet who believed the God of Israel is the one divine God.
Decorate a version of Elijah’s Goblet with tissue paper, ribbon, and spring motifs.
Got a budding artist? Ask him to embellish the Afikoman cover with puff paints and glitter. There’s no limit to what your little one can do on the goblet — let his/her imagination and creativity flow! All that matters is that the kids understand the meaning and importance behind the goblet.
Seder Plate Activity
Let children of all ages hand paint their own Seder plates with acrylics and craft paints to imitate faux-stain glass. Just make sure that the materials are non-toxic, unless the plates will be purely decorative.
What’s important to remark is that Seder Plates should highlight all of the Passover symbols including:
• Charoset – a delicious mixture of apples, walnuts, red wine, cinnamon and sugar, symbolizing the mortar that the Hebrews used when they built the pyramids in ancient Egypt.
• Bitter herbs – usually represented with horseradish or romaine lettuce, they remind us of the difficulties that have been endured by our ancestors.
• Greens – (parsley, lettuce or celery), which represent spring and a time of new beginnings
• An Egg – symbolizing the circle of life
• A Shankbone - or poultry bone – represents God’s mighty arm.
Let your nieces and nephews have fun drawing these sacred symbols onto their Seder plate — this way, their craft will be more meaningful for them.
Pillows
One of the Commandments of Seder is to recline, lean, and repose during the Seder. What better way to help the family recline than by making many pillows?
For more, check out Celebrations.com.
Photo: Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr cc
Published: April 9, 2014