Your Afikomen Toy Guide
It's hard to know what the perfect toy for your grandchildren abroad will be. This afikoman guide gives you real-life toy recommendations for every child's stage.
Afikomen Present For the Baby
MegaBloks is the first building toy that little pudgy hands learn to put together. This alphabet train set takes the fun of building with MegaBloks and combines it with the delight of playing with their very own first train.
Watch them put together the train set all on their own and learn to say "choo-choo-choo" as the train travels around the room.
As a very first afikoman, this toy will create the sweetest first year memories (and make for adorable videos!)
Afikomen Toy For the Toddler
Toddlers love animals. Gifting them this lovable My First Farm set gives them everything they need for their very own farm. With 4 little plastic animals living in their very own farmhouse, it'll get your toddler's lively imagination going as they play.
Don't forget to teach them the animal sounds to make the farm play even more fun. This toy will give Mommy a few minutes of peace and quiet as her toddler finally entertains himself.
Afikomen for the Preschooler
Preschoolers have vivid imaginations. As kids turn 3, 4 and 5 their favorite games involve fantasy worlds of their own creation. That's where this tent comes in, giving them a private island where all their dreams come true. Forget the washing machine box — this is your preschooler's wonderland.
Available in a fire truck, ice cream truck, or school bus version so every child can pick their dream space.
Afikomen Pick For the Preteen
Once kids learn to play more complex games, there's nothing cozier and more bonding than sitting over an oldie but goodie game. Like this mancala.
The counting game is fun even for littler kids, as you don't need to be an expert strategist to be able to play. Of course, it may take time until they can beat Mommy…unless Mommy makes sure to mysteriously lose every time.
Whichever way you play, the memories will last, as will this durable mancala set.
Afikomen For the Teens
Teen afikomans usually take a lot of thought, but these paint kits from Paint-It are a no-brainer. It makes such a fun activity for Chol Hamoed, especially if you gift it to more than one family member for a super cozy, bonding paint night.
Once the painting's done, it's a beautiful memento they can keep and cherish — a piece of artwork all their own.
Afikomen for the Family
In some of the lovely young families I know, getting a separate gift for each child gets kind of complicated…as every child only wants the gift their sibling received.
That's where this set of magnetic cubes comes in. Like the ever-popular MagnaTiles, the cubes connect through magnets. These cubes keep kids busy and engaged for hours, with the kind of staying power no novelty gift can compete with.
Afikomen Abroad: It's Never Been Easier
With Bench's all-in-one online marketplace, it's never been easier to gift your family in Israel their afikomen gifts. Send a little package to show them how much they're missed, especially during the Yom Tov family time.
Order Afikomen Toys Abroad
Dvora Stein grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Jerusalem, where she loves every part of life in the Holy City except that she misses her family and friends back home. She enjoys sharing her Israel experiences and helping shrink the distance between America and Israel by working for Bench.
Afikomen FAQs
What is the Afikomen?
The afikomen refers to the matzah hidden at the beginning of the Seder on Pesach night, to be eaten toward the end of the Seder at Tzafun.
So why are we calling these toys afikomens, if afikomen really refers to a piece of matzah?
That's thanks to the custom of stealing the afikomen. For many Jews, after the afikomen is hidden away, one of the children will steal it. And they won't give it back unless they get the present they demand! That's how afikomen presents became a standard in many Jewish homes, as a reward for the children returning the afikomen matzah they stole at the Seder.