Passover or Pesach is a holiday that has evolved to include lots of activities for children—both before and during the traditional celebratory meal, the Seder. Marking the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and bringing together even older traditions to mark the new harvest and the beginning of spring, Passover brings together food, family, story-telling, and charity to strangers. Singing folk songs, searching for the afikomen (a piece of matzo that is hidden during the meal), and asking the traditional four questions of why the Seder night is truly different from all other nights are activities that place kids firmly in the center of this family celebration.

The Seder Plate
Either one decorative plate or one plate per guest is created with foods that are symbolic of the story of Passover—a story that is recounted during the Seder meal.

• Z’roa or roasted lamb shank symbolizes the lamb sacrificed on the eve of the exodus so the blood marking the doors of Jewish families would cause their first-born sons to be literally "passed over" during the final plague to strike Egypt.


• Beitza or roasted egg represents the circle of life.


• Maror or bitter herbs such as horseradish remind everyone of the bitterness of slavery.


• Karpas or spring greens, traditionally parsley, celebrate the new season.


• Charoset, a sweet mixture of fruits, raisins, and nuts symbolize the mortar that the slaves used for building.


• Salt water, while not always on the Seder plate itself, represents the tears of the slaves and is used as a dip for the karpas during one point in the Seder.

1. The search for hametz
Before Passover begins, the entire family scours the house for anything that could count as hametz—grain products of all sorts. Because the Jews leaving Egypt did not have time to allow their bread to rise, tradition holds that only unleavened breads such as matzo can be eaten during Passover. This is also the time for a general spring cleaning and kids can help search for crumbs (or larger chunks hidden by parents!) of bread that may be hidden in the backs of cupboards or around the kitchen.

2. Making deviled eggs
Eggs have been served since ancient times for appetizers and because they symbolize spring and rebirth are often found at the Seder meal. Kids can help by popping the yolks out, mixing the creamy mixture of seasonings and egg, and spooning or piping it back into the whites. And, of course, they’ll probably be happy to help sprinkle paprika and/or fresh parsley on at the end!

Recipe to try: Picnic Deviled Eggs

3. Chopping and mixing charoset
Jews from central and eastern Europe (Ashkenazik) mostly make charoset with apples, nuts, wine, and honey, but Sephardic Jews whose ancestors come from Spain often add other dried fruits and fragrant spices. Most families develop their own recipes, so you should encourage your kids to create their own unique blend as they chop, mix, and taste.

Recipe to try: Charoset

4. Making matzo balls
Matzo ball soup is a classic throughout the year, but is rarely missing from the traditional Seder table. You can serve these yeast-free dumplings with chicken or vegetable soup depending on your own taste. Children love to mix the ingredients and form the balls by hand—just remember that they expand a lot in the broth, so you should aim on the small side to start.

Recipe to try: Matzo Ball Soup

5. Crazy for coconut
Because they don’t require any flour or leavening, coconut macaroons are a classic dessert throughout the eight days of Passover. You can stir in chocolate chips or cocoa powder for real chocolate fans, but even simple, chewy coconut macaroons are a treat that’s easy for kids to make—and everyone to enjoy!

Recipe to try: Coconut Macaroons