Purim baskets (mishloach manot in Hebrew) traditionally contain at least two different types of food for a recipient to enjoy. Any basket of treats given with joy is a welcome addition to the holiday fun and also fulfills one of the four important mitzvot or commandments associated with Purim.
In this post, the PJ Library staff suggest a selection of easy-to-do activities to help you make the best Purim baskets ever!
Bake These Easy Treats
Bake hamantaschen with Shalom Sesame
Your mishloach manot needs something delicious to share. Some families like to share fresh fruit, while others fill their baskets up with candy and treats. Some people prefer to make a mix — it’s entirely up to you. If you’d like to get busy in the kitchen with your family, here are some easy (and taste-tested) recipes. For extra fun, sneak a copy of this silly Purim printable in your basket.
Craft a Container
You will need something to put your treats and goodies in. Try these ideas for creating a memorable vessel for your Purim treats.
- Fold an Origami Mishloach Manot basket
- Upcycle an old cereal or matzoh box
- Give a clean cardboard box a quick coat of paint, or collage a new background
- Decorate a clean box with stickers, and boom! you’ve got yourself a special mishloach manot
- Make your own stamps and decorate a blank paper bag (“gift basket” is just a label)
Deliver Your Mishloach Manot
Will you do a “drop and dash” delivery? Dress up in costume to share your basket? Get together with friends to swap mishloach manot? We’d love to hear about it!
Talk It Over
- Have you ever helped bake something before? Did you enjoy it?
- Purim is a holiday full of joy — and surprises, including mishloach manot. Do you like being surprised?
- What other surprises from the Purim story can you think of?
- Has anything surprised you about Purim this year?
More
Explore Purim activities
How Celebrating Purim Can Teach Children About Equality
How to Make a Purim Gift Basket
What Are Mishloach Manot?
February 9, 2026