Purim Gragger

Noisemakers are a delightful part of many holidays. Get into the spirit of Purim by designing a Haman gragger—or use similarly authentic designs for other festivities.

• 1.

  Jewish people celebrate the holiday of Purim by giving food to friends, gifts to the poor, and reading the Book of Esther from the Meglliah. Noisemakers called graggers are used during the reading. When the name of evil Haman is mentioned, everyone boos and makes noises with their graggers.

• 2.

  To make your own gragger, find a small recycled box such as individual-serving cereal box. Place outdated seeds (dry pumpkin seeds are great) or other recycled items that rattle inside the box. Seal flaps securely with Crayola® School Glue. Air-dry.

• 3.

  Cover your art area with recycled newspaper. Paint box with Crayola Washable Paint and Paint Brushes. Air-dry.

• 4.

  On paper, use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to create the mean face of Haman. Color it with Crayola Crayons and Multicultural Crayons. Cut it out with Crayola Scissors.

• 5.

  Design a shirt and skirt on white paper with Crayola Fabric Crayons. <STRONG>Remember that your design will transfer in reverse</STRONG>. Brush away crayon specks.

• 6.

  To make an ironing pad, place white paper or newspaper over an iron-safe surface. Try to use white, 100% polyester fabric because the higher the polyester content, the better the color transfer. Place fabric on ironing pad. Lay designs face down on fabric

• 7.

  <STRONG>Ask an adult to do the ironing.</STRONG> Set iron on synthetic. Press design with slow steady pressure for 1 to 2 minutes. Lift iron to move it. Hold papers in place to prevent blurring. Remove paper carefully.

• 8.

  For more intense colors, apply crayon directly to warm fabric. Follow steps 6 and 7 to set the color.

• 9.

  Glue the head, shirt, and skirt to the box. Add arms by gluing on craft sticks.

• 10.

  <STRONG>Ask an adult</STRONG> to make a small slit in the box bottom. Place glue on craft stick and insert inside box to form a handle. Add more glue on the outside to seal handle securely. Air-dry before shaking your gragger during the Purim story.

Benefits

• Students learn the story of Purim by reading the Book of Esther from the Meglliah.
• Students understand the origin and the importance of Purim to the Jewish people.
• Students create a noisemaker (gragger) to be used during Purim celebrations.

Adaptations

• Students with special needs may benefit from help with some of the steps or from seeing a finished gragger.
• Create box puppets to depict the story of Esther. Use the same style as the gragger but without the noisemakers inside.
• Design masks and costumes to put on a skit telling the tale of Esther.