For many children, young and old, the afikomen hunt is the most exciting part of the Passover Seder. After sitting down for so long, finally they can stretch their legs and race around the house in a fun scavenger hunt that ends with a prize! In today’s world, with many schools closed, kids may be even more pent-up than usual. So here are some ideas to really spice up this year’s afikomen hunt – no age limit necessary!
Idea #1: Bible Verses Treasure Hunt
Instead of just hiding the Afikomen and setting the children loose in the house, give their brains a little to do! Give each participant a set of clues that lead them around the house until they find the afikomen. This article from Haggadot.com provides Bible verses as clues, or you can make your own.
Idea #2: The Story of Passover Hunt
If you have kids nodding off during the S
eder, try starting the hunt a little earlier, with clues that tie into the story of the Haggadah. Hide clues under napkins and glasses for the children to uncover as the Seder progresses. Then, when it’s time for the search, they can take the clues, puzzle them all together, and race off for the Afikomen!
Idea #3: Obstacle Course Hunt
If you have free space and time on your hands, create an obstacle course out of toys for kids to navigate through as they search for the Afikomen. Tunnels, blanket forts, and boxes are great ways to have your kids scrambling around, searching for the right nook that holds the prize. It might be so fun that you keep it up for the rest of Passover!
Idea #4: Team Hunt
If some children are too young or old to participate in the hunt fairly, then split the children up in teams. Teens and older children can help younger children understand clues or reach high places. Assign clues to specific children on teams so that older children don’t swoop in and steal the scene, leaving the younger kids with nothing to do. Plus, it’s a great way for older children to learn selflessness and responsibility. Then, you can have a fun group prize, or several individual prizes for the winning team.
Mix-and-match these ideas create an Afikomen hunt that your children will remember for years to come, or adapt them for an exciting adult hunt. We hope you have a kosher and joyous Passover!
For more on Passover, try Yeshua, Pesach, and the Virus, Dayenu—The Passover Lamb, our Kosher-For-Passover Recipes compilation, or What Would the Uncles Think?
This article was written by MJTI Content Coordinator Emily Klein.
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