How to Dress Your Children for a Purim Festival

Purim is a Jewish Holiday that celebrates the actions of Queen Esther and Mordecai against the evil Haman. Many congregations and families have Purim Festivals where children celebrate Purim and dress in a costume, play games and eat food.

Traditionally boys and girls have dressed up as Mordecai or Queen Esther. Daring young boys may opt to dress as the evil Haman.

Here are some great costume ideas for your child when they're invited to a Purim Festival in your neighborhood.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Imagination
• Clothes for a costume
• Hat or crowns
• Face mask

Traditional Dress for Girls

1. To dress as Queen Esther, select a long dress that presents oneself as a queen. Many princess costumes are sold during Halloween and these can make great Queen Esther costumes.

2. If a Halloween costume is not available, it’s the time to get creative. Perhaps you sew, if so, you can easily whip up a long skirt that has an elastic waist to wear with a nice top for that Queen-like appearance.

3. If you don’t sew, look through your own closet. Do you have a fancy t-shirt or top that, when paired with a belt, could transform into an outfit fit for a Queen?

4. All Queens need a crown. You can look for this at a party shop, during Halloween, or even make your own.

Traditional Dress for Boys

5. Boys traditionally dress as Mordecai, King Ahashverosh, or Haman.

6. Mordecai had an important position in King Ahashverosh’s kingdom, so it would be appropriate to dress a boy in pants and a top, with a robe and crown for either King Ahashverosh or Mordecai.

7. Those who choose to dress like Haman will be more modestly dressed. Most men of that time wore robes with a simple belt made of rope or twine. The most important part of Haman’s costume is his three-cornered hat.

8. There are many stores that sell three-corner hats, or you may choose to make your own.

Modern Costumes

9. Today many children also choose to wear non-traditional costumes to Purim Festivals. Any costume that a child wants to wear is acceptable.

10. Don’t be surprised to see children dressed as Disney characters, Harry Potter characters, cartoon characters and more.

11. The best thing about Purim is getting to dress up, enjoy, and have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• If you're unsure what type of costume is appropriate to wear to your Purim Festival, you can never err by dressing like the Queen or Mordecai.

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on 7/15/2008 Memories .... I have a pic of my daughter when she was a wee one, wearing her Queen Esther crown with her nightgown because she just did not want to take it off! Good article!