Passover Craft Activity:
AfikomenTreasure Hunt

What is an Afikomen?
Every spring, for eight days, Jewish people all over the world celebrate Passover.  On the first two nights, friends and family share a holiday dinner called a Seder.  They read from a special book called a Haggadah. Haggadah means "to tell".  They tell the story of when Jews were slaves in the land of Egypt. When Moses led the Jews to freedom, they left so quickly they did not wait for their bread to rise. That is why crunchy, flat bread called matzah is eaten during Passover.  Before the matzah is eaten at the Passover Seder, half a piece of matzah is hidden away for dessert. This piece is called the Afikomen.  After dinner, whoever brings the Afikomen back to the table is rewarded.  The Seder meal is finished with a blessing, thanking G-d for the food we have eaten.

What you need:

• white paper
• ruler
• scissors
• scotch tape
• crayons with paper removed
• corrugated cardboard (box lid)
• small treats: candy, stickers, etc.

What you do:

1. cut a 7 inch square of white paper
2. place on corrugated cardboard, aligning one edge of paper with the grain line
3. holding paper still with one hand, rub the crayon length wise all over the square (show young children how to rub the crayon from the center of the paper to the edge, to avoid crumpling)
4. turn paper over, and repeat crayon rubbing on other side
5. to create a pouch:  Fold paper over 3" along one side, leaving 1" extended, then tape along the double edges.

To play the Afikomen Treasure Hunt:

1. (Parent) place a small treat in the pouch, fold down the 1" flap, and hide the pouch
2. whoever finds the Afikomen gets the treat inside
3. optional:  have extra treats available for the rest of the players

Drawing with Children:
A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too
by Mona Brookes

Uncle Eli's Special for Kids Most Fun Ever, Under the Table Passover Haggadah
by Eliezer Segal, Bonnie Gordon-Lucas

In this one-of-a-kind children's Haggadah, the mysterious and mischievous Uncle Eli retells the story of the Passover. The book's enchanting rhymes and vivid illustrations breathe new life into the events, personalities, and rituals of the traditional Haggadah.