The Passover Seder is designed with children in mind. The Four Questions, in fact, are specifically assigned to the youngest child present who is able to recite them. In history, children's questions were always encouraged because the Seder is meant to be for teaching children, and each other, the meaning of freedom and gratitude. This is done through the telling of the story of the Hebrew slaves' exodus from Egypt. The activity of finding the hidden afikoman and bartering it for a prize is also for children. All kids look forward to this game after eating dinner.
Other traditional parts of the Seder are fun and interesting for kids, and participants should make sure the kids are involved in them. These activities include dipping parsley into salt water, the recitation of the Ten Plagues, singing Dayenu or any other song, tasting maror and charoset, finding the afikoman, opening the door for Elijah and singing "Who Knows One," which traditionally is done in one breath, if possible.
Adding engaging activities for kids during the Seder is easy. Here are some quick suggestions:
Have small objects representing each plague scattered around the table. Right after reciting the Ten Plagues, have a game challenging the participants to name the plague represented by each item on the table. Most items can be made or assembled from common household items, such as toys, bandages (for boils), red food coloring (blood) and even rocks (for hail). Be creative.
Have some musical instruments available for kids to play during the singing parts of the Seder.
Set out crayons and paper, and tell the kids to make pictures for an art show called "A Scene of Freedom." They have to finish their drawing by dinner time. They will show and describe their pictures to everyone at the start of the second part of the Seder.
Assign the kids to "speak as" a slave, slave master, Moses, Pharoah or an Egyptian. This is a fun and easy drama exercise that encourages thinking and participation.
Have small puzzles, stickers and activity books for each child.
Play Seder Bingo, and give each kid a Bingo card to put a sticker on the corresponding square when we get to the part of the Seder on the square. Make each card different (it can be done on a computer easily). First one with "Bingo" gets a prize.
 | In preparing a Seder meal, certain symbolic and traditional items must be on the Seder Plate, to eat or show at the designated time during the Seder. Variations are acceptable and can make a traditional meal interesting and different, as long as you always avoid chametz. |
 | No matter how many people will attend your Passover Seder, certain symbolic and traditional items are necessary to have on hand, ready for the designated time during the Seder. With the right preparation, Passover Seders can be a wonderful and meaningful time for everyone. |
 | A Seder plate is central to the Passover Seder. It sits as the centerpiece of the table, and is referred to a number of times during the Seder itself. |
At the Passover meal, traditionally the meal is eaten and the story of Passover told in a certain order, called a Seder. The word "Seder" means "order" and refers to the steps of the order of the Seder meal itself. |
A symbolic element of the two Passover meals, known as Seders, is the four cups of wine. Wine, in Jewish tradition, is a symbol of joy, but the four cups of wine at the Passover Seder have additional meanings. |
