5 games to play at Passover

These five games to play at Passover are a great opportunity for different generations of families to come together and learn about the traditions that surround the story of the exodus of the Jews from ancient Egypt.

Questions are an important part of the seder. This game is a good way to build anticipation before the event as questions and answers need to be prepared, written on slips of paper and placed into a container. Get the kids to source queries and replies from the Haggadah (the text of the Passover story). Play the game at different times throughout Passover, blindfolding one person each time. That person pulls a slip of paper out of the container and hands it to one of the children to read the question. If the person wearing the blindfold answers correctly, award him or her a small prize.

Children and adults alike have enormous fun deciding on Passover sketches to act out. When the charade is presented, the audience has to guess which part of the seder the scene is about. An alternative version of charades is a spur-of-the-moment enactment of verses from the Haggadah or of the 10 plagues. Remember, no speaking is allowed.

Games like bingo and trivia are easy to adapt and helps to keep youngsters interested and participating. Use bingo cards with words and pictures so that all age groups can join in. Be sure to emphasize the relevant words so that players hear them. Give each player candies or counters to redeem for treats. When playing a trivia game, introduce questions about Passover, your own family traditions, and famous Jewish Canadians.

Connecting everyday items to the Passover story is challenging. Place at least 10 objects into a bag. Items from your own home are fine, or ask guests to each bring items for more variety. During the game, without looking into the bag, have people draw one object out at a time. Players then say how the article connects to the Passover story.

A number of guessing and memory games are ideal. Children can name items, emotions or foods connected to Pesach that begin with certain letters. For example, try thinking of food names beginning with "f" or "m." You can also play "When I left Egypt I had __ in my suitcase." Each person adds another item to the list, and the winner of the game remembers every item in the correct order.

Passover games draw families and friends together as they take part in one of the most important festivals on the Jewish calendar.