As adults, we sometimes forget just how magical holidays can be for our kids. Since family traditions are one reason the days feel so special, we asked moms to share their most treasured Easter and Passover traditions. Here, we've rounded up 15 of their ideas — from throwing confetti and hunting for mini muffins to camping out no matter what the weather — all of which are wonderful memory makers.
Keeping kids seated at the table for a weeknight dinner isn't always easy. Turn that dinner into a multihour religious meal and it can be a recipe for disaster. Before heading to the Seder table this Passover, check out these family-oriented Haggadahs — from quick services to mealtime activities, they're sure to entertain tots until it's time for them to belt out your family's rendition of Dayenu!
The minute I heard The Melt was serving a special grilled cheese in honor of Passover, I hightailed it over to the closest location. Matzo grilled cheese? It was the perfect intersection of Passover and National Grilled Cheese Month.
Part of the genius of the concept is it sounds so elemental, and it is: the sandwich is just two squares of matzo, slathered with butter and seasoned with salt, pepper, and dried herbs, then sandwiched together with sharp cheddar, and melted on a panini grill.
I'd wondered if this concept was old news, but quickly discovered it was just as novel to everyone else in the office, Jewish or not. I can't wait to re-create the same thing at home. Have you ever had matzo grilled cheese?
This weekend was chock-full of church services, pilgrimages, bunny ears, parades, egg hunts, and more as people around the globe celebrated Easter and Passover. The Obamas spent some quality family time together at an Easter Sunday service and goofing off during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll today, while Queen Elizabeth II shared the day's events with Princess Eugenie and one of the pint-sized royal wedding bridesmaids. See how the royals and more celebrated the holidays in everywhere from Israel to Argentina to Pakistan to China and beyond.
As a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Passover Seder is a celebration rich with cultural traditions that varies slightly from household to household. The focus of the meal is centered on retelling the story of the liberation of the Israelites from ancient Egyptian slavery and includes customs like drinking four cups of wine, eating matzo, and assembling and eating symbolic foods from the Passover Seder plate. We love to see how Passover Seder tables are set; from the heirloom rich to more modern DIY interpretations, these are some of the table-setting ideas that inspired us this week!
Eliminating grains during Passover can be difficult, especially when it comes to sweet treats. Believe it or not, you can still enjoy cakes and cookies on this holiday, and they don't have to break the calorie bank either. Keep reading to find out about some delicious, yet good-for-you desserts you can whip up for Passover.
*Note: Some of these recipes are made with vanilla extract. For those following a strict kosher diet, use vanilla made with grain-free alcohol or omit the ingredient altogether.
Source: Flickr User liladobbs and Flickr User thepinkpeppercorn
Friday marks the beginning of Passover, and all across the world, Jewish families will be enjoying their favorite Spring eats during Seder. For Pesach, we've gathered 11 delicious recipes, from mashed rutabagas to authentic Carnegie Deli matzo ball soup. Click through for some mouthwatering (and kosher-for-Passover) inspiration.
In terms of Passover books, it's hard to compete with the book that's at the center of the holiday's festivities. While the Haggadah tells the story of the exodus from Egypt, and even adds in some elements of surprise with the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, it can be a bit overwhelming for lil ones who see the holiday as little more than a week of giving up bread and eating matzo.
Lesléa Newman's new A Sweet Passover ($12) manages to focus on the unleavened bread, while still telling the Passover story through the eyes of a young girl. In the semi-autobiographical tale, the tot eats so much matzo on the first seven days of the holiday that she refuses to eat anymore for the final day — that is until her relatives explain that there is more to the holiday than matzo, and there are even matzo recipes that will reawaken her taste for the symbolic crackers. The recipe — the author's father's own signature dish of matzo brei — brings the whole family together as the next generation is brought into the fold.
A great book to be read at the start of the holiday, as well as throughout the week, A Sweet Passover is a great addition to your holiday library! Keep reading for the author's family's famous matzo brei recipe to make with your entire family.
Passover is soon, and macaroons are the perfect treat to whip up for your own dinner or to bring along as a guest. This recipe results in a tasty cookie that's easy to make, is fairly low in sugar, and contains a decent amount of protein and fiber.
Macaroons are traditionally made solely with shredded coconut, but these also contain chopped almonds for an interesting and addictive crunchy texture. The only problem is these almond and coconut macaroons are so hard to resist, you'll have trouble stopping at just one.
Continue reading to see this simple recipe and to find out how many calories are in one macaroon.
Depending on how religious your family is, Passover Seders can either run from 30 minutes to well over two hours, not including the festive meal. While you might have been happy to spread your four glasses of wine over a two hour reading of the Haggadah prior to your tots, now you need to find a way to occupy your lil one throughout the service.
In addition to bringing your dining out standbys — like books and wiki sticks, consider some holiday-related activities next week. A quick online search brings up tons of free coloring pages that can easily be printed out and brought to the table. Non-messy craft activities, like the foam Seder plate kit ($4) pictured here, includes pieces for all of the items on the Seder plate, in addition to glue and decorations. There are also a number of plague-related finger puppets and masks that should keep your kids entertained until you reach the four questions portion of the Seder.
