Purim

Purim is a holiday that feels like it's made for families. Traditions include dressing up, sharing gift baskets or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do tzedakah and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation.

For more information about Purim, including recipes, book lists, activities, and more, check out the sections below:

The Purim Story

Although Purim is an amazing holiday to enjoy with kids, the story behind Purim isn’t exactly family-friendly. There's violence, betrayal, humiliation, and death--so how do parents share this story with kids? The link below shares resources, talking points, videos, and a link to a children's megillah.

Purim for Kids via Interfaith Family

Watch

The Purim Story via ShalomSesame

Making Hamantaschen via ShalomSesame

Go Esther! Purim in Four Minutes via BimBam

Activities

Noise Makers via Martha Stewart
Edible Purim Groggers via The Cupcake Project
How to Make Your Own Gragger via MyJewishLearning

Read

We love any excuse to snuggle up and read with our kids, and Purim is no exception. Here are some fantastic Purim bedtime, or anytime, books that you can read with your kids:

Cake and Miracles by Barbara Diamond Goldin

Hershel’s blindness doesn’t keep him from living life. He helps his mother by doing chores, but wishes he could do even more for her. When an angel appears in Hershel’s dream and encourages him to make what he sees when he closes his eyes, the boy snaks into the kitchen, transforming his mother's cookie dough into beautiful hamantaschen (three-cornered fruit-filled cookies) that can be sold to raise money for the family at Purim.

It's Party Time! A Purim Story by Jonny Zucker

Purim is one of the happiest holidays in the Jewish calendar. This family can’t wait to dress up, eat yummy foods, and -- yes -- head to a party!

Not for All the Hamantaschen in Town by Laura Aron Milhander

Purim is coming, and Rishon, Sheni, and Shlishi are looking forward to the carnival! But a certain furry someone threatens to spoil the fun. It’s a familiar story -- three little pigs and a big, bad wolf -- with a Jewish twist.

One, Two, Three Purim! by Naomi Shulman

Dressing in costume, baking hamantaschen, making noise -- it must be Purim! Getting ready for this holiday is as easy -- and fun -- as one, two, three.

Purim Play by Roni Schotter

With her cousins sick, Frannie is disappointed that her neighbour, Mrs. Teplitzky, has offered to take part in her family’s annual Purim play. Mrs. Teplitzky, a former actress, arrives in a splendid costume. The elderly widow turns out to be a superbvillain and steals the show. She also becomes a friend.

Raisel's Riddle by Erica Silverman

In this Jewish variation on the Cinderella theme, Raisel is a heroine who understands what is important in life as well as what it takes to be truly happy.