Purim is a fun day for everyone… until it isn’t. Cranky kids, stressed parents, sugar crashes…we’ve all been there! I get it, and I’ve got you. Here are some simple tips to create a Purim that’s fun for the whole family (yes, even for YOU).

1. Take costume photos in advance

Snap some photos while kids are clean, sugar-free and feel the excitement but not the hectic energy and (good) stress of the day. You’ll get your perfect photo and they’ll get to be a kid on Purim day without you freaking out that they’re making the costume dirty. And if they do want to take off an uncomfortable costume, let them be comfy.

2. Your own oxygen mask, first

On Purim morning, make sure YOU get a decent, real breakfast. Pack healthy snacks for YOURSELF so that you don’t get irritable and high-strung from the stress and demands of this busy day.

AND plan a 5-minute break—in the car, in your bedroom, in the bathroom—to get away and self-regulate.

3. Stave off sugar highs

Feed a real breakfast. Have healthy snacks and water prepared and kid-accessible and offer them periodically throughout the day. Keep some on-the-go to offer to a child who starts getting cranky.

4. Stick to regular mealtimes.

Whether you’re hosting your own meal or being a guest at someone else’s, don’t count on feeding your child there. Serve a real lunch and/or early supper so you can sit back and relax at the party.

5. It’s one day of candy—don’t make it a lifetime of issues.

If your kid is small enough not to notice, you can censor goodie bags before he gets to them and remove candy or junk. If your child is older, don’t make it into a big deal. We don’t want to label foods as “bad” or make them forbidden and enticing. They can help clean it all up for Pesach 🙂

6. Set up for success

Before going to sleep on Purim night, put away or out of sight anything you don’t want kids to help themselves to in the morning, and leave out healthy breakfast options.

Prepare quiet activities so your kid can take a break from all the stimulation. Print free coloring sheets (WalderEducation.org) or have the kids make signs to hang up. Set up their toys into scenes for a new twist on their play, or pull something out of rotation.

7. Keeping kids quiet during Megillah reading

If you’re going to give screentime at all, save it for now. (It’s super stimulating otherwise, on a day that already has a lot of noise, candy and excitement.) Bring a physical Megillah to follow along with so your child can use your phone. Quiet, screen-free options: coloring (download free coloring sheet printables at WalderEducation.org), pop-it toys, stickers or a small bag of Lego or Playmobil. Remember to bring your child’s megillah or gragger that they made in school.

8. Model middos

Our kids are always observing. Be mindful of the subliminal messages you send to your children when giving or regifting mishloach manos to teachers, neighbors or that one person you hoped would stop by when you weren’t home. Who gets the nice stuff? Who is shown preferential treatment?

9. Tap into the day

The holiness of Yom Kippur is compared to—so, it’s not as holy as—Purim. Although it’s a fun holiday and seems superficial with food and costumes, pause and connect with its essence: the hidden hand of G-d, the ability for things to change in an instant, the awesome power of prayer and the message that we will be victorious over our enemies and over evil.

10. Remember what’s important

At the end of the day (literally), nobody will care or remember about your mishloach manos or your kid’s costumes or how much time, effort and money you put into them. But your kids will remember how you made them feel about it. Remember your goal! Happy, warm memories. No stress is worth it. Keep things positive. We want our children to love our heritage!

Wishing you a joyous and wonderful Purim that’s fun for everyone!

If you liked this, you’ll love my weekly emails. Sign up right here