Family Friendly Ways to Celebrate Passover in the Bay Area

Celebrating Passover with Kids

Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates freedom, where many families gather around their tables to eat special foods, sing songs, and joyfully tell the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. This year, Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12 and lasts until sundown on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Here are some ways families can learn more about Passover and celebrate together from our friends at PJ Library Bay Area:

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HOW TO

How to Prepare for Passover

Prepare and celebrate Passover with PJ Library's Time to Gather guide. This free guide offers valuable resources for families, covering everything from preparing your home and understanding the significance of each item on the seder plate to ways to engage your kids in celebration.

PJ Library Family Haggadah

Passover is a holiday with storytelling, and a special meal, called a seder, is designed as a ritual for telling stories from Jewish history. A special guidebook called a Haggadah guides you through the seder. Looking for a free Haggadah? Use the PJ Library Family Haggadah for your seder this year!

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READ

Get your kids excited and prepared for Passover with these great story books:

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WATCH

Learn about the Passover story in our short, animated video.

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PASSOVER ACTIVITIES

Does your family love games or crafts? Check out these great interactive ways to celebrate Passover with your kids.

Who Knows About Passover?

A card game for the whole family at the Passover seder

Make Your Own Plague Props

At Passover, we’re asked to imagine that we personally are experiencing what the Israelites went through. One way to bring the story alive is to use props. Make your own!

Passover Themed Mad Libs

Get silly with family or friends by playing with some Passover-themed word games. The printable includes three different Passover-themed games to fill out: a recipe, a story, and a unique spin on the four questions.

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NOSH

During Passover, some families decide to stay "kosher for Passover" by avoiding leavened foods, called “chametz” (think anything with flour in it, like bread) and instead only eat unleavened foods like matzah. Whether you’re staying away from chametz or just want to find some Passover-related recipes, give these kid-friendly ones a try.

Noodles for Passover? Yes, It’s Possible!

Dietitian and PJ Library parent Micah is here to save the day with a recipe for a super easy, delicious, filling, and kosher-for-Passover food: egg “noodles.” Pair these with a DIY matzah ball for a quick dinner or a special get-together with friends.

What is Charoset and How Do You Make It?

One of the items on a Passover seder plate, charoset, symbolizes the mortar Jewish slaves used for making bricks in Egypt. Enjoy two different recipes exploring the beautiful traditions and flavors of the Jewish diaspora.

No Matzah? No Problem! 10 Ways to Make a Sandwich During Passover

Oh no – did you already run through your matzah stash during your seder? You can still enjoy sandwiches during Passover. Here are ten creative bread-free sandwich ideas to try this Passover.

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CELEBRATE

JOIN A COMMUNITY SEDER

Many synagogues, community centers, and Jewish organizations in the Bay Area host Passover Seders that cater to families. Participating in a Seder is a great way to engage in the traditional rituals and storytelling of Passover while enjoying a festive meal with loved ones. Or join one of these welcoming community Passover events.

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Passover Made Easier

This article is sponsored by PJ Library Bay Area, a program of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. PJ Library sends high-quality Jewish books monthly in the mail to families with children 0–12 year-olds, completely free.

Images used with permission from PJ Library.