Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah (the sacred text of Judaism) to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. It is celebrated on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, which usually falls in late May or early June.
Like any Jewish holiday it is an opportunity to teach our children through games.
Want to understand What is Shavuot? Read our page on the basics of Shavuot and some of the most asked questions about this holiday. What is Shavuot and most asked questions
Here are some Shavuot games ideas:
Ten Commandments Treasure Hunt: Create a treasure hunt inspired by the Ten Commandments. Hide small scrolls or cards with each commandment written on them around the house or in a designated area. Provide clues or riddles to help children find each commandment, leading them to the next one until they complete the set.
Dairy Product Tasting: Shavuot is associated with the consumption of dairy products. Organize a fun tasting session for children to try different types of cheeses, yogurts, milkshakes, or other dairy treats. You can blindfold them and have them guess the type of dairy product they’re tasting, making it a guessing game as well.
Word Scramble: Create word scramble puzzles using Shavuot-related words such as “Torah,” “Sinai,” “cheesecake,” “milk,” and “flowers.” Hand out the scrambled words to the children and challenge them to unscramble the letters and find the correct words within a given time limit. Offer small prizes or rewards for those who complete the most words accurately and quickly.
Mount Sinai Musical Chairs: Set up chairs in a circle, one less than the number of children playing. Each chair represents a spot on Mount Sinai. Play music and have the children walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they must find a chair to sit on. Remove one chair each round, and the child left without a chair is out. The last child remaining on a chair is the winner.
Design Torah Crowns: Provide children with paper, craft materials, and markers or crayons. Ask them to create and decorate their own Torah crowns, symbolizing the importance of the Torah on Shavuot. Encourage creativity and allow them to wear their crowns proudly during the holiday festivities.
The Kosher Hub have a range of Shavuot Games on Etsy
Shavuot games for the Seder Table
Shavuot Trivia: Prepare a list of Shavuot-related trivia questions and divide the participants into teams. Ask questions about the significance of Shavuot, its customs, biblical references, and related traditions. Each team can take turns answering questions, and the team with the most correct answers wins.
Torah Charades: Create a list of Shavuot-themed words or phrases related to the Torah, such as “Ten Commandments,” “Mount Sinai,” or “Moses.” Have one person silently act out a word or phrase while others try to guess what it is. This game encourages participants to recall and share their knowledge of the Torah and its associated stories.
Pass the Story: Begin with a short paragraph or sentence that describes the story of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Each person at the table adds a sentence to continue the story, and the narrative is passed around until it reaches a conclusion. This game prompts participants to draw on their knowledge of Shavuot and its significance in shaping the Jewish tradition.
Name That Cheesecake: Prepare a selection of different types of cheesecakes or pictures of them. Blindfold each participant and have them taste a sample of cheesecake or show them a picture. They then try to identify the type of cheesecake they tasted or saw. This game encourages participants to share their knowledge of Shavuot’s association with dairy products, particularly cheesecake.
Shavuot Pictionary: Prepare a list of Shavuot-related words or phrases on small cards. Each participant takes turns selecting a card and drawing the word or phrase on a whiteboard or piece of paper, while others try to guess what it represents. This game allows participants to demonstrate their knowledge of Shavuot-related concepts through visual representations.
These interactive games promote a lively and educational atmosphere at the Shavuot seder table, allowing participants to share their knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions about the holiday and its traditions.
