Today I’ll share with you Passover table setting ideas that are fun for the whole family. The kid-friendly tablescape activity you’ll find here depicts Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. This Passover activity is fun for kids of all ages. In addition, it provides the perfect opportunity to discuss how Yahweh delivered His people from slavery to freedom.
Passover Table Decorations: Moses Parting the Red Sea
Here we will focus not on how to set the table for Passover, but on how to decorate a Passover table. I have always enjoyed decorating for various holidays and occasions. Over the years, my family’s Passover table has been everything from elegant to whimsical. I have seen other families online create a Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea Passover centerpiece for a while now. My family decided we would like to create a similar tablescape, but with our own spin. So we grabbed a few craft supplies, rolled up our sleeves, and got to work!
I knew that I wanted this project to be simple and to use items that could be found around my home. As a matter of fact, every Bible craft, game, and activity that you will find here on the Shema Culture blog is designed to be simple and affordable. I don’t believe that you need to spend a lot of money or time to have fun teaching your kids about God’s Word. That’s why I’ve created free printable Bible activities and fun Bible crafts that can be done in a pinch. Be sure to check out these engaging activities such as my Ten Commandments Match Game, Fruit of the Spirit Bingo Game, and Ten Commandments Scavenger Hunt.
Passover Table Decoration Ideas
There are many Passover table decoration ideas. However, I had my heart set on creating a tablescape that depicted Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. I have seen people online use various items to represent Moses and the Israelite people, such as dolls, paper cut-outs, and other creative ideas. After looking at the price of ready-made dolls for my Passover centerpiece, the price of the number of dolls I would need to create the look I wanted was out of the question. So I did what any wannabe crafty mom would do: I decided to make my own!
I hopped online and ordered wood peg doll blanks, grabbed some supplies from around my home, and started getting creative. You can learn my step-by-step instructions for creating your very own wood Biblical character peg dolls HERE. The great thing about this project is that it is very affordable and uses simple household items that would have probably ended up in the garbage can. For example, I used used-up textiles such as old dish towels, pillowcases, and t-shirts to create clothing for my wood peg dolls. Layering the fabrics gave each doll its own look and used materials that were otherwise headed for the landfill. I call that a win!
How to Decorate a Table for Passover
After my kids and I created our dolls, we were ready to decorate our table. Once again, I used items that I already owned. I had strips of an old tablecloth that I had dyed blue for a family celebration. These pieces of fabric were perfect for mimicking the water of the Red Sea. I also had a roll of wide burlap ribbon that would serve as the dry ground upon which the Israelites walked. All I needed to do was set out my burlap, blue fabric strips, and place my Israelite people on top!
If you don’t have burlap or blue fabric strips lying around your home, don’t worry! I’m sure you have something that you can use to create your Passover table decor. The fabric from an old pair of khaki pants, brown craft or construction paper, or a brown grocery bag would work for the dry ground portion of the tablescape. Blue napkins or tissue paper would be a great substitute for the fabric to create the “water.” This project is a great opportunity to think outside the box and let your creative juices flow! You can always run to your local craft store to purchase items for your project. However, I challenge you to look around your house and use what you’ve got!
Passover Fun Decorations for Children
Now that you’ve got your “dry ground” and “water” materials ready to go, it’s time to start building your Passover tablescape! Begin by placing your “dry ground” material in the center of the table. Next, flank the brown material with the “water” material. Feel free to play with and fluff the water material in order to give it some movement. I like to turn under any raw edges and create variations in the ways in which the fabric falls. This gives a better illusion of water versus the material being laid perfectly flat.
The final, and most fun, step is to place your Israelite people on top of the “dry ground.” There is no right or wrong way to complete this step. However, it is a good idea to have all of your people heading in the same direction. We don’t want anyone on the way back to Egypt after all! We also opted to place our Moses peg doll at one end of the Passover tablescape since he was leading God’s people to freedom.
Passover Decorations for Kids
As far as Passover table setting ideas go, this one is especially fun for kids. Not only will your kids enjoy making the Israelite people, but they will also have a blast setting out the decorations on the table. I have a confession: when it comes to decorating, I can be a bit of a control freak. I want things to look just so. But having little kids has had a way of humbling me in this area! I’m happy to report that I’m getting better at giving my kids more freedom to decorate as they please.
I encourage you to give your kids simple instructions regarding the tablescape and then let them be creative. My young daughter has been having lots of fun acting out the Passover story with the Israelite peg dolls we made together. I love that she is enjoying playing with the dolls while the Word of God is making a lasting impact on her life! Engaging activities like this one are especially effective in reaching the hearts of our children!
Passover Table Decor: Crossing the Red Sea Activity
After your Passover decorations are complete, I invite you to open your Bible and share the amazing Exodus story with your kids. The Word of God will come to life for your children as they are able to visualize how Yahweh’s people were delivered from Pharaoh’s hand. Before reading about and having fun with this crossing the Red Sea activity, you may enjoy leading your kids in a game of the 10 Plagues Bingo. Either way, take this opportunity to ask your children open-ended questions regarding the Exodus story. The most important part of this activity is to engage your kids with meaningful discussion.
Moses Parting the Red Sea Table Decor
Who knew that creating Passover table decor could be so easy, fun, and meaningful? I love that Yahweh provides us, as mamas, with so many opportunities in our daily lives to reach the hearts of our children. This Moses parting the Red Sea table decor activity is yet another way that we can spend time with our precious kids. It is an opportunity for them to create something beautiful while learning about something meaningful. I pray that this Passover activity is a blessing to your family!
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