In case you are wondering what frogs and caterpillars have to do with Pesach, well let me tell you! A caterpillar actually has nothing to do with Pesach unless you decide he's really a locust or a wild beast, but frogs actually have an important role in the Pesach Seder, as the perpetrators in the second of the ten plagues that were inflicted upon the Egyptians prior to the Jewish exodus.
One of the very important purposes of the Seder, (one night in Israel, two nights everywhere else) is to teach our children about this very important period in Jewish history. In order to keep the kids interested, many parents give treats along the way or have some fun tricks up their sleeves. I think these little frogs would be great at any table, especially if they start hopping all over the place! So whip some up after the kids are asleep as a surprise, or let older children make them for the whole family. And while you're at it, keep a bag of white pom-poms on hand to re-enact the plague of hail!
You'll Need:
- craft pom-poms
- pipe cleaners (green and red for the frogs, multicolors for the caterpillar)
- green felt
- googly eyes
- a hot glue gun or high tack craft glue
How To: Frog
- Make frog's legs as follows: Use one pipe cleaner for the back legs which are shaped roughly like the letter V. Use a second pipe cleaner for the front legs which are shaped roughly like the letter C.
- Cut a tiny piece of red pipe cleaner for the tongue, and using hot glue, attach the legs, eyes and tongue to the pom-pom.
- Cut a circle from green felt and glue to bottom of pom-pom to create a nice-looking underside.
How To: Caterpillar
- Make the caterpillers's legs (two legs are one continuous piece) by bending a pipe cleaner into a shape similar to the letter M. Make five pieces that are the same size.
- Glue the body pom-poms together and attach the head at a slightly higher level.
- Glue on eyes, antennae, tongue and legs, and introduce him to your frogs!
