Home > Holidays > Purim

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.

Related: Learning the Four Mitzvot of Purim

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

PURIM
WATCH
ACTIVITIES

 

READ
DANCE
MORE

 

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

The Purim Story For Kids


Watch

The Purim Story via ShalomSesame

 

Making Hamantaschen via ShalomSesame

 

Go Esther! Purim in Four Minutes via BimBam

 


Activities


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.


Goldie's Purim by Jane Breskin Zalben

Goldie looks forward to her synagogue’s spiel, or Purim play, all year long -- and this year, she’s been chosen to play Queen Esther! But as the moment nears, she’s gripped with terrible stage fright. How will she summon bravery? Esther’s story provides inspiration.

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.

Queen Esther Saves Her People by Rita Golden Gelman

Long, long ago a young Jewish woman named Esther was chosen to be the Queen of Persia. The king’s prime minister proceeds to scheme against the kingdom’s Jewish citizens. How will Esther find the courage to stand up for the rights of her people? This book is recommended for children ages eight and older.


Dance

Check out our Purim playlist!

 

Download the PJ Library Radio app for more music and playlists.


More