If you’re hosting the first or second Seder this year, there’s still time to add some fun bits. Want to spice things up and get more participation, but only have about 15 minutes to spare? Try these easy tweaks to the traditional.
#1 Add Seder songs
Most traditional Haggadot will include plenty of Seder songs. But if you want to add a few songs written in English to popular tunes so that all of your guests can participate, try these:
Ballad of the Four Sons sung to the tune of “Clementine”
A Passover Song sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things” (there are 16 song options in this link)
The Seder Welcome Song that I wrote to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine.” Because my husband and I were playing banjo and guitar that year, we called it a Bluegrass Seder. We handed out song sheets to everyone, then started pickin’ and strummin’ along, so that we could make sure everyone was able to participate right from the get go (to use bluegrassy parlance). But you can personalize the lyrics to whatever makes it custom for your family. Any two-syllable word or phrase will work: downhome, kinfolk, joyful, silly - even brisket. Or you can squeeze in the three syllables of “family,” by pronouncing it “fam-ly.”
Thank you for coming
To our bluegrass Seder,
Wouldn’t be as much fun
If you weren’t here.
We love being with you
To share this Pesach.
So sit back, relax and draw near.
-
We’ll tell the story
Of leaving Egypt.
We’ll eat some matzah,
But drink no beer.
We’ll open the door for
Prophet Elijah,
If he enters
We might quake in fear.
-
Around the table
You’ll see Seder symbols,
Like plagues and bowls filled
With salty tears,
A cup of red wine for
Prophet Elijah,
And Miriam’s cup with
Water so clear.
-
Thank you for coming
To our bluegrass Seder,
Wouldn’t be as much fun
If you weren’t here.
We love being with you
To share this Pesach.
So sit back, relax and draw near.
#2 Bring a few props
Get a huge sheet of paper and cut an s-shaped curve through it. Tape it together very gently until the part of the Seder that talks about parting the Red Sea. Then let the kids pull it apart and walk through it.
If someone wants to play Moses, you can bring a large bathrobe and a staff (which could be a cane or an umbrella).
Put a large pile of shoeboxes into a corner of your dining room. During Maggid, when you’re telling the Passover story, take a break to let your little ones build towers from the shoeboxes.
Following the Sephardi tradition, place scallions on every plate, so everyone can “swat each other with scallions, reminding them of the lashes that the Egyptian taskmasters inflicted on the Hebrews.” (Our crew — and I mean the adults! — loved this.)
#3 Download 15 steps game
Grab the digital version of our Passover Seder Steps Follow-Along. Print a copy for each child at your Seder and give them shelled walnuts or pawns from another game for the journey.
Appoint one child to ring a bell or hit a tambourine every time you move from step to step, so that everybody stays with you on the journey through the Haggadah. It will help everyone pay attention and follow along.
Need to keep the kids occupied before the Seder? Arm them with markers and crayons and invite them to decorate each Seder Steps page.
Happy Passover! Chag Sameach!
Want to add a three new Jewish games to your home?
Check out our Jewish Holidays Games Bundle.
Included: Rosh Hashanah Bingo, Hanukkah Bingo, Passover Seder Steps Follow-Along.
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