Mansfield Mothers’ Club: Illustrating Easter and Passover For Kids

As adults we have a hard enough time wrapping our brains around the significance of holiday observances, so how do you put them into perspective for your children? Many of our members have found that if you start off simple and crafty, whether your kids are young or old, sharing small projects can be a good way to open up the discussions around the meanings behind religious events. Here are a few ideas to get you going:

Celebrate Passover, the eight-day Jewish commemoration of the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. This year it begins on March 25. How about using sharpie markers, or other craft supplies, on white fabric and letting your children make their own matzah cover?

Or use those same sharpie markers on a dollar store white ceramic plates to make a seder plate just for your little one. Simply bake the plate, when done coloring, at 365 degrees for 30 minutes. Then hand wash before serving food on it.

For Easter, which falls on March 31 this year, how about involving kids in creating a Grace Garden? The website A Holy Experience gives step-by-step supply lists and directions that can be tailored to your child’s needs. It celebrates the meaning of Easter, which Christian’s celebrate as Christ’s resurrection from the dead, in a lasting way.

Speaking of, have you ever counted down to Easter with resurrection eggs? The blog Want What You Have details the easy steps to fill and dole out these plastic eggs to show children tangible symbols of the holiday.

And no holiday would be complete without food! Here are a few recipes. These and more were included in our monthly newsletter for members.

Easter Resurrection Rolls

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb.
Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ.
Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.
Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.
Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams)
Bake according to package directions. Cool.
Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!

Harsoet for Passover

4 apples, chopped
2 tablespoons Wine or grape juice
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the chopped apples and walnuts.
Drizzle on the honey.
Add the wine.
Mix well and discuss how it’s like mortar for bricks.

How do you involve kids in religious holidays in your home?

Jessica Symonds is president of The Mansfield Mothers' Club, a non-profit organization aimed at providing support for local parents. For more information visit http://mansfieldmothersclub.com, email mansfieldmothersclub@gmail.com or write to Mansfield Mothers' Club, P.O. Box 831, Mansfield, MA 02048.