Dylan's day care center (a JCC) held a Purim Carnival yesterday. It was a short party with a station to make Purim masks, a station to make shilot manoch baskets and a moon bounce (they served lunch too).

For the shilot manoch, the kids got to decorate bags and then fill them with goodies (fresh fruit, candy, crackers). Then, all the kids and the parents had a parade down the street to the retirement home where they kids were able to give the residents a shilot manoch basket. It took us a bit to explain to Dylan why he had to give someone else the treats but once he understood, he really enjoyed it and found a nice older gentlemen to give his basket to. It was a great lesson for all the kids and a lot of fun!

What a great way to do Mishloach Manot! That's in the true spirit of Purim, which is to bring us closer to each other by reaching out with gifts of food to our neighbors - another form of charity.

Excellent!

Be sure to have Dylan send some Mishloach Manot on Purim itself (Sunday), to a friend or two, it's a very important educational opportunity

Some people think it's enough what they do in school / gan / extra-curriculars, but it isn't. The Mitzvah is that day, and it matters.

I think we'll have him make more bags at home on Sunday a.m. and then go out to distribute them. That would be a great project for the weekend. We can make them for his grandmothers and his cousins and a few friends.

He should wear his costume when he goes to distribute them! (You could, too - even just a funny hat or face paint). It's one of those things that become a key memory of childhood.

BTW - giving charity is an equally important aspect of Purim.

Good to know. I think we are going to go to the Megilla reading at my old synogogue. I'm friends with the Cantor's wife now (her son and Dylan are best buddies).

Sometimes little kids have a hard time with the noise. Some love it, some panic. Be prepared to leave early if he needs to.

Some fall asleep, despite the noise. :headscratch

This is why most communities have a separate Megilla reading for mothers later in the evening. (It's an equal-rights holiday)

BTW, I LOVE Purim, despite the noise and the stress and the craziness. As ds said earlier today, you get to do your favorite things and it's all a Mitzvah! (He's looking forward to a spot of Jack Daniels while wearing his gorilla costume, chasing it down with some fine chocolate. Ooh, we should have our new chocolate fountain going for the Purim meal!!)