Make Your Own Unleavened Bread Pinata

This simple DIY project will add some fun to your household during Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread! While all of the Biblical holidays are spiritually significant times, they are also times of celebration and joy. Don't be afraid to do some things that are just for fun to commemorate these times of our Creator. Making this pinata can be a good activity during the week of Unleavened Bread, or do it ahead of time for decoration. Filled with candy, stickers, or small toys it would make a memorable highlight for a congregational or group celebration of Passover or Unleavened Bread.

What you need to make an Unleavened Bread pinata:

-a thin, square cardboard box (mine was about 33 inches square, and four inches thick, but feel free to make it smaller)
-hot glue gun and glue sticks
-cream and brown crepe paper
-ribbon
-candy, stickers, toys or other small prizes

To make the pinata:

If you're filling it, carefully cut a small opening in a side or the top. It just needs to be large enough for you to put in your candy and prizes if you're doing that. Fill roughly halfway with goodies, then tape over the hole before proceeding.

Cut fringe into the bottom half of your crepe paper. Starting at the bottom of the box, hot glue strips of the crepe paper to the box. Mixing up the cream and brown paper is what makes this pinata resembled boxed matzo. Once the bottom is done, hot glue the next strip just above it so there is no box exposed between the two layers. Do this all the way to the top and then work on the sides and back. While this process is straightforward, it can get repetitive (especially if you are using a large box), so this is a great time to enlist help from your kids or be sure to put on some music or a teaching.

When you get to the top, hot glue a two-foot ribbon on both ends to the middle of the box. This is what you'll use to hang the pinata from, if you wish to hang up for decoration or for whacking down to get at the prizes. Consider the weight of the prizes and reinforce the ribbon with extra glue or tape if needed.

There you have it: a piece that's sure to get everyone smiling at your Unleavened Bread celebrations! This is easy to make, with inexpensive materials that aren't hard to find and are environmentally friendly. Even if you're not up for bashing in all of your hard work this is still a fun decoration or photo prop!

Related posts:
Celebrating the First and Last Days of Unleavened Bread
Kids Crafts for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits
In Remembrance of the Messiah - Passover Pictures

Celebrating the First and Last Days of Unleavened Bread

There is so much excitement and joy about Passover, that the Feast of Unleavened Bread often gets overlooked because of that. I wanted to share some ideas for group celebrations of this set apart time, because Scripture tells us to assemble together for the first and last days of this seven-day feast. Whether you are joining with your family, friends, small group, or congregation any of these activities would work well to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

How to celebrate Unleavened Bread with your congregation, group, or Bible study:

-Get together for leftovers from Passover. The day after Passover is the first day of Unleavened Bread, and it's also a Sabbath. Avoid cooking or spending the day preparing more food by serving up leftovers from your Passover meal. Yes, Scripture tells us not to let the leftovers from sacrificial lamb remain until the next day, but it doesn't tell us we can't have leftover salads, etc. (Also because of the Messiah, we should not be sacrificing animals!) If your menu is similar to this one, the salads, hummus, dips, and veggies all keep well as leftovers.

-Make omer counters. The counting of the omer starts on First Fruits, which typically lands during Unleavened Bread. Have everyone bring supplies to make their own omer counter. There are many different ways you could do this, but a few ideas are: scratch off omer counter, DIY flair omer counter, or this omer counter from Torah Sisters. Even having kids make paper chains would work well!

-Movie night. Have a movie night at your congregation or at home with friends. Watch The Ten Commandments or another film of the Exodus story, or other faith-based movie. Popcorn is unleavened and would be an appropriate snack to serve.

-Worship night. There's never a bad time to worship YHWH, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is no exception. Join with your congregation or Bible study for a time of worship together. It would be special to have live music, and if you're a singer or musician, this would be a great time to use your talent. Or stream some great recorded worship songs that you enjoy. Take time at some point in the evening to pray together as well.

-Read Scripture. Why not get together for a Bible study focused on a topic like bread or leavening or something else related to this time? You could also take turns reading aloud the Exodus story or the details of the Messiah's resurrection. If there are kids in your group, they could be directed to perform a skit of a pertinent Bible story. For younger kids, consider doing a puppet show or incorporating fun visual examples into the Bible stories you tell.

-Have an unleavened potluck meal. If you make homemade unleavened bread, it is nice and soft, and you can serve it with regular sandwich toppings. Unleavened sandwiches and soup or salads would be a group-friendly meal where most of the work could easily be done ahead of time.

I hope you are able to join with others to celebrate YHWH's set apart time of Unleavened Bread. If it's just you or your family, these ideas can still be applied to enjoy this time! Take time to worship, rest, celebrate, and have fun during Matzah Week!

More ideas for celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread:
My Matzah Week - What Celebrating Unleavened Bread Looks Like
12 Ways to Celebrate Unleavened Bread
The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Unleavened Bread 

The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Unleavened Bread

You can take part in and celebrate the Creator's set apart time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread...even if you never have before! The Biblical holidays were given to all believers, and they are a joy to take part in. Here's how to get started.

What you need to know about the Feast of Unleavened Bread:

-It is seven days long and starts immediately after Passover.

-The first and last days are considered Sabbaths and we are not to work on them.

-During this time we are not to eat regular leavened bread or have it in our homes.

-The Hebrew word for unleavened bread is matzah, and these terms are used interchangeably. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also called Matzah Week or the Feast of Matzah.

-You can have flour, etc. in your home as long as you are not leavening it. I don't get rid of my flour because I use it throughout the week of Unleavened Bread to make unleavened bread. Of course, it would not be appropriate to make leavened bread with it.

-It is a time for feasting, rejoicing, worship, and celebration.

Spiritual significance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread:

-Matzah Week is when the Israelites hit the road when they fled Egyptian slavery. That YHWH freed his people from slavery is worth remembering and celebrating! During the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus, his people were in that in between place of leaving Egypt, yet not yet entering into the fullness of his promises.

-The bread they ate was unleavened because YHWH changed their circumstances so quickly that they didn't even have time to let their bread rise. No matter how hopeless a situation in our lives may seem, our God can turn that around.

-The Messiah rose from the dead during Unleavened Bread!

-The principle of leaven is very powerful. If you've made bread using sourdough starter or yeast then you know the small amount of this changes the end product significantly! While it can be easy to think that little things in our life don't matter, they can make a huge difference for good or bad. 

-Leaven is typically seen as sin in the Bible. Like sin, leaven shows up in more places than we would expect and we are called to make an effort to avoid it. During this Feast we are to examine ourselves and our lives extra closely and get rid of anything spiritually leavened.

-Unleavened bread is seen as a symbol of the Messiah's physical body. He was sinless (unleavened), and the piercings and dark spots that appear on both homemade and boxed matzah are fitting symbols of him being beaten and bruised for us. Don't forget that Yahusha described himself as the "bread of life." (John 6:35)

How to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread:

-Take a look through your pantry and freezer and take note of what you have that is leavened. This includes things like sandwich bread and frozen pizzas, and also fermented wheat products including soy sauce and beer. Think about storing these things on a certain shelf or area of the pantry so that you can use up anything leavened before the set apart time starts. If you don't have time to use it all then share your bounty with friends, or a food pantry. Burn or throw away the last bits of leavened bread if necessary. 

-As you go through the process of removing leaven from your home, consider how we are called to examine our hearts and actions for spiritual "leaven." Pray and ask YHWH if there is something he would like to clear out of your life as you are cleaning your cupboards of leaven. These questions are a good guide to spiritual preparation for this time.

-Get a recipe to make your own unleavened bread, or order or purchase boxed matzah bread. Boxed matzah is similar to a large cracker, whereas homemade matzah is soft, comparable to naan bread. This is my recipe made with einkorn flour, but you could substitute all purpose or whole wheat flour.

-Think about incorporating matzah into at least one meal a day throughout the week. It's appropriate to eat unleavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread! There are many ways to enjoy matzah. Eat it with sandwich toppings, alongside a bowl of soup or curry, make matzah pizzas, or turn it into matzah toffee! See this post for other ideas for serving unleavened bread.

-Take at least the first and last days of Unleavened Bread off from work, errands, and household chores. If possible, consider taking more time off from work to spend with your family or to make this holiday more special to you. Taking a day trip somewhere during the week can make it fun and memorable - I visited the Ark Encounter during Matzah Week a few years ago!

-Take joy in worshiping YHWH, and studying the Bible. Attend services at a congregation if possible, and watch children's Bible story videos - if you don't have kids do it for fun! 

-Not everything you do has to be 'spiritual' - make the week fun with things you enjoy. Go somewhere beautiful for a hike, play games or do a puzzle with family, make a craft or an omer counter, invite friends over for dinner, make special foods, and take time to relax.

There is some learning curve when you start to observe a new holiday, so give yourself grace about that. It takes time to get used to celebrating the times of the Creator and next year it will seem more natural and be even more fun! The Living God is honored by your efforts to take part in his set apart times!

Other posts about celebrating this holiday:
12 Ways to Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread
My Matzah Week - What Celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread Looks Like
Recipes for the Feast of Unleavened Bread

Things the Messiah Said at Passover

Chag sameach! I hope you are enjoying this special and set apart time of year during the festival of Unleavened Bread, when we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah. All of the festivals of YHWH must have been significant to Yahusha, and so many of his words recorded in Scripture were spoken during this time. Having some idea of the setting and context for his words can transform our understanding of them. Much weight and significance is added to his words when we realize he spoke them at the Passover table keeping YHWH's instructions from Leviticus 23. Here are a few things he said during this time.

Things the Messiah Said at Passover:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -John 14:6
Many people who have this verse memorized overlook an obvious implication of it. The way is literally seated at the Passover table when he said this. If you want to get to the Messiah and the Father, you might think about heading to Passover.

"Whoever trusts in me does what I do and will even do greater works." -John 14:12
The Messiah clearly expects his followers to have the same lifestyle as he did. The feast days and honoring Shabbat are a great place so start to live like him. This verse also tells us that once we are living like he did we will see even greater things happen in and through us.

"If you love me, keep my commands." -John 14:15
If you love the Messiah his desire is that you would be obedient to his instructions. Picture him seated with matzah and wine, keeping the set apart time that was also celebrated by Abraham and Moses, while he speaks the word of YHWH to those at the table, and it's easier to remember that some of his commands are to celebrate his festivals.

"I am the vine, you are the branches." -John 15:5
This analogy is probably the parable that the Messiah spent the most time explaining. And it's significant that the chose to talk about pruning - when his Father, the gardener, cuts off part of a healthy tree in order that it can grow more - at Passover. While we are rooted in Yahusha, he expects his people to grow. Growth looks different each season, and for many of us significant growth is pruning off man made holidays and choosing YHWH's instead.

"Watch and pray." -Matthew 26:41
Yahusha wants us to watch and pray at this time of year but if we aren't observing his holy days how can we do that?

"If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you." -John 15:18-19
The Messiah shares at Passover that he does not expect his followers to fit in with the world. And he's okay with that. He understood completely what it was like to be hated for the things he said and the lifestyle he chose to live. So if you're keeping Passover instead of the mainstream Easter holiday of course people are going to be upset, but it's really not about you; it's about them rejecting the ways of YHWH.

"In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
Passover is a beautiful time to remember that the Messiah overcame all the difficulties and injustices that we face. 

"This is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me." -Luke 22:19
Do what to remember the Messiah? Eat bread at Passover.

"Go and prepare the Passover for us." -Luke 22:8
Here is the Messiah literally commanding his followers to take time to celebrate Passover. This is absolutely still worth doing today.

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." -Matthew 26:41
This verse describes how many of us as believers genuinely want to follow and serve the Messiah, but our flesh often is our biggest hurdle. The spirit is willing...but the flesh likes chocolate Easter rabbits. The spirit is willing...but the flesh has too many good Christmas memories to let go of. It takes intention and training to get your flesh under control of your spirit. Participating in YHWH's set apart times is an opportunity to strengthen your faith.

"You shall deny me three times." -Mark 14:30
Yahusha obviously knew what it was like to have people intentionally disassociate with him. When Peter denied him later that night, he wasn't just saying that he didn't know Yahusha. He was saying that he hadn't just partook in the Passover meal with him. How many people do you know that claim to love and honor the Messiah but adamantly deny his invitation to the Passover celebration? Let's not deny that as the Passover lamb, the feasts of YHWH are very near to the Messiah's heart.

"You do not know what I am doing now, but you shall know after this." -John 13:7
I love this verse because it tells me that I don't have to have all of the instructions figured out or to be able to fully see how YHWH is working in my life. Eventually all of these things will become clear but in the meantime all we have to do is walk in faith. I love the promise that even if keeping YHWH's feasts, honoring Shabbat, and so on don't make sense right now we will be able to see the Messiah in them someday.

"You should do as I have done." -John 13:15
Don't miss that the Messiah challenged us to live the way he did during one of YHWH's set apart times. Yahusha kept the feasts and we should too.

Unleavened Desserts for Passover and Unleavened Bread (Kosher for Passover)

Need a dessert for your Passover Seder? Or something sweet to celebrate during the week of Unleavened Bread? Look no further! I rounded up some delicious options that are all kosher for Passover. Knowing different things are in season depending on where in the world you find yourself, plus that everyone has their own dietary preferences, I tried to make a mix that has something for everyone. Yay for real food desserts, vegan options, and good old fashioned meringue. If you're in need of some clarification of the dietary requirements for the week of Unleavened Bread please see this post.

Pink Swirl Meringues with Pomegranate Syrup from Drizzle and Dip

Naturally Sweetened Vegan Chocolate Mousse from Minimalist Baker

Peanut Butter Chip Cookies from Love and Lemons

Matcha Macarons with Mango Buttercream from Snixy Kitchen

Raspberry Vanilla Whipped Cream Pavlova from A Beautiful Plate

Blood Orange, Almond, and Ricotta Cake from Smitten Kitchen

Vegan Raspberry Lemon Chia Cheesecake from Love and Lemons

Passover Cookie Cake from My Name is Yeh

Heavenly Chocolate Cake Roll from Smitten Kitchen

Grain Free Berry Crisp from Minimalist Baker

Lemon Cream Pavlova from Snixy Kitchen

Mini Chocolate Doughnuts from Land of Honey

Raspberry Coconut Macaroons from Smitten Kitchen

Mango Turmeric Sorbet from Making Thyme for Health

Lavender Earl Grey Blackberry Ice Cream Floats from Snixy Kitchen


Wishing all of you a very special Passover time this year!

Passover Bucket List + Printable

Here's a great way to make sure you can do all the Passover stuff this year. A bucket list! What's on mine for this Passover season? Attending Seder, reading through Exodus, making homemade matzah, praying for freedom for those enslaved in some way, setting a spiritual goal, and sending cards to name a few.

Make your own bucket list or download mine. Obviously, it doesn't need to be this big but hanging up a large print can serve twofold as a decoration throughout the week of Unleavened Bread and as a reminder of fun things to do to make this time special.

You can download this here, and then print it off on regular paper or have it printed. I had mine printed at Staples for about $1.75. It is free for your personal use and I hope it helps make Matzah Week a little more fun!

What's on your bucket list for this Passover season?

Beautiful Things for Passover

I wanted to share a few items to make your Passover even more beautiful this year. Decorate your home, add a special touch to your Seder table, or use as gifts. Whether you buy things for the feast days or make them yourself hopefully you have a few special things to help set apart these special times.

Seder Plate or Dishes from Turtle Lane Pottery - $57
Talk about a family heirloom piece!

Chag Sameach Matches from Tchotch Shop - $5
Use these to light up your menorah for the feasts.

Hello Sabbath Decal from Torah Sisters -$4.95
This would be a great gift for a friend!

He is Risen Shirt from Juliet Rose Boutique - $21.99
Wouldn't this to be great to wear on First Fruits? Heart eyes.

Menorah Challah Plate from Turtle Lane Pottery - $49
This could definitely work as a matzah plate, don't you think?

Dayenu Flags from Tchotch Shop - $10.50
If you're not familiar, Dayenu is a beautiful Passover song. The word translates as, "it would have been enough," and the song extols the many things YHWH has done for us. 

Celebrate Passover Wooden Sign from HeartnSaw - $12.99
Love the idea of decor you can use year after year.

Isaiah 51:5 Pouch from Kevin Ohlin - $15
A great depiction of the significance of the Passover season.

Lotzah Matzah Spatula from Modern Tribe - $6
Mine actually just broke and I am so bummed about it. A fun design for sure.

Go Feast Card Game from Rebekah Co - $25.95
Like a regular set of cards but the suits are menorah, torah, trumpets, and crowns.

Matzah Leggings from Shalom Squad -$36/$28
Um, these are amazing! They come in adult and kid sizes. :)


Check out Spring feast gift ideas for kids here!