Celebrate Purim in your Homeschool!
Queen Esther, ©2014 Brandon A. Miltgen – Celebrate Purim in your Homeschool
*This BEAUTIFUL image was created and used with permission by Brandon from Drawing Faith. <3
“…He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” (Esther 9:22)
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Read the Book of Ester
I love the book of Ester. Reading it is one of my FAVORITE ways to celebrate Purim in your homeschool. It is one of only two books of the Bible named after a woman. She and Mordecai have many wonderful character qualities that you can discuss and impress upon your children. Sometimes it is a long story for children to sit through, so beforehand we discuss who the characters are. The Princess: Hadassah or Esther, The Super Hero/Mentor: Mordecai, and the Evil Villian: Hayman.
You can make groggers or noisemakers for the kids to shake each time Hayman’s name is read. This further emphasizes the Biblical truth that the name of Hayman’s people would be blotted out (see Deuteronomy 25:19) and brings some fun in.
Another fun way to read the story of Esther is through storybooks! Bible Belles has a fun book telling the story of Queen Esther and relating her wise patience to a real-life story young girls can understand! (It’s one of my daughter’s favorites. Ask me how many TIMES we have read it 😉 )
Dress Up and Act it Out
It is always fun to dress up like a queen, a valiant hero, or a villain! Celebrate Purim in your homeschool by having your kiddoes write their own play after reading the Bible story. Or let them act it out while you are reading. This is always a fun favorite in our home. Make sure you pause for dramatic effect and repeat the action you are needing your characters to perform should they get caught up in the story and forget. 😉
It’s a tradition amongst many Jewish communities to wear other dress up costumes on Purim. Sometimes we have reenacted the Purim story using some of our other favorite characters, or gone to watch the story be told using popular characters. You could totally create a Star-Wars or Princess themed story. As long as there is a princess, a good guy, and a bad guy – it can be done! 🙂
Make Food Presents
We enjoy making Hamentashen cookies in our homeschool around Purim. They are a triangular, jelly-filled cookie that is said to represent Hayman’s 3 point hat. Here is one of our favorite Gluten-free recipes we have followed (and enjoyed. Om nom nooomm! ) This is by far the yummiest way to celebrate Purim in your homeschool! 😉
Gluten Free Hamentashen Recipe (I always use coconut oil instead of butter or shortening. It’s been fine so far. 😉 )
Be sure to bring some cookies to your neighbors, family, or friends!
Give Gifts to the Poor
Usually, Purim falls somewhere in the early in the Spring season. This is the perfect time of the year to donate food to your local food pantry! Usually, they get a lot of extra donations around the winter holidays and are back to needing supplies around this time. Also, this is a great time to start some Spring cleaning!
Have your kids go through their toys and clothes to find things they no longer need. Give anything that is in good, gently used condition to a friend in need or you can donate it to a thrift store. This is such a simple way to get your kids into the giving spirit of Purim! Just like God provided for and protected the Jewish people, He provides for and protects us. We can show that same love to those around us. 🙂
Have a Spa Day
Last, but not least – have your own spa day! When you read the beginning of the book of Esther, you can appreciate all those women went through before they even got to lay eyes on the king. Plus I will shamelessly use any excuse I can for a bubble bath. 😉
If you have daughters, you can play this up big time! Put on your swimsuits and take a long bubble bath. Then paint your nails or spend time fixing your hair in a fancy way. Be sure to let her paint your nails too! (It’s a sweet time even if you end up with more polish on your fingers than nails. 😉 )
If you have sons, they can enjoy a bubble bath with essential oils too. You can spike their hair with gel or get them ready for the King’s banquet in any way he will enjoy.
Watch the Queen Esther Story
My kiddoes love to watched movies, and having a movie night during our Purim celebrations always adds to the fun. My personal favorite is One Night with the King. It is very close to being Biblically accurate, with some extras put in for theatrical value.
Another favorite for my little ones is the Veggie Tales version of Queen Esther. Our favorite movie for learning about Purim has been Sesame Street.
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