A significant part of the Passover feast is to discuss and sing songs about the Ten Plagues. What were the ten plagues? They were the disasterous events mentioned in the Book of Exodus. In the Torah, it is written that Israel's God inflicted these plagues on Egypt to force the abusive Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. This year, have the children play a more active role in the Seder by helping them prepare paper puppets that represent the plagues to accompany the songs and text of the ritual. The memorable theatrical performance will definitely impress guests at the Seder dinner.
Grade
Subject
HolidaysPassover Arts & craftsPaper & Glue CraftsConstruction & Sculpture Social studiesCommunity & Cultures
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- Construction paper, 11" x 17"
- Scissors
- Oil pastel, or crayons
- Skewers
- Tape
What You Do:
- Discuss the nature of the Ten Plagues of Egypt with your child, or group of children participating.
- Ask the children if they can list all ten of the plagues. A list of plagues to represent are:
- Plague of water turning to blood
- Plague of frogs
- Plague of gnats, or lice
- Plague of flies
- Plague against livestock
- Plague of boils
- Plague of hail
- Plague of locusts
- Plague of Darkness
- Plague of the death of the firstborn
- Assign an equal number of plagues to each child for puppet-making. Then, hand each child the corresponding number of sheets of construction paper and skewers. Remind them to be careful of the sharp point on the skewers!
- Ask them to draw a single visual representation of a plague on each sheet of construction paper, making them as large as possible. Color them in with oil pastel, or crayons.
- Have them cut the drawings out and set them face down.
- Ask them to tape the pointy side of the skewer starting a bit below the top of their puppet, so the skewer hangs below the puppet and has enough room to be held by a hand.
- Help them tape the skewers securely in place.
- Practice the portion of the Seder with the children so they can synchronize reading about the plague they are representing from the Haggadah as they hold up the puppets.
- When the time comes, have the kids bring the puppets to the Seder table and put on a memorable performance!
Related learning resources
Add a Ten!
Lesson plan
Add a Ten!
Use alone or with the lesson plan **Ten Time.**
1st grade
Math
Lesson plan
The Ten Monster
Lesson plan
The Ten Monster
Here comes the Ten Monster! Get ready to learn about subtracting tens in this hands-on lesson.
1st grade
Math
Lesson plan
Writing Practice: If I Were President
Worksheet
Writing Practice: If I Were President
Children draw their face on Mount Rushmore, then write a paragraph detailing what they would do if they were president.
kindergarten
Worksheet
Write the Sight Words: "Were"
Worksheet
Write the Sight Words: "Were"
This printable will give him practice with the word "were".
1st grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Practice with Ten Frames
Worksheet
Practice with Ten Frames
Each ten frame has ten boxes. Some boxes have red chips and others don't. If the top half of the ten frame is filled with red chips, how many are left? 10-5=5.
1st grade
Math
Worksheet
Ten Frame Song
Song
Ten Frame Song
Ten is a helpful number to know for addition practice. Learn how ten frames can help you count into the teens faster with this sweet little ditty.
1st grade
Math
Song
Ten Time
Lesson plan
Ten Time
Students will gain fluency with adding multiples of ten in this hands-on lesson that builds number sense.
1st grade
Math
Lesson plan
The Make Ten Game
Worksheet
The Make Ten Game
Make making ten a game with this extra-easy addition card game that comes with all the supplies you need.
1st grade
Math
Worksheet
Ten Frame Signs
Game
Ten Frame Signs
Kids practice place value for numbers 11 to 20 in this ten-frame game.
kindergarten
Math
Game
To the Ten: Rounding Numbers
Worksheet
To the Ten: Rounding Numbers
Help your first grader practice his math skills with this printable worksheet, which will give him practice rounding to the nearest ten.
1st grade
Math
Worksheet
Practice Adding and Subtracting with Ten Frames
Worksheet
Practice Adding and Subtracting with Ten Frames
Help your little one practice her adding subtracting skills with this game of ten frames! Each ten frame has a set of ten boxes.
1st grade
Math
Worksheet
Adding Ten on a Hundred Chart
Worksheet
Adding Ten on a Hundred Chart
This hundred chart worksheet makes adding ten easy!
1st grade
Math
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:
Passover Crafts and Recipes