Jewish Purim printables, Queen Esther activities, lessons for Hebrew holiday - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

The Jewish celebration of Purim begins at sundown on 14th day of Adar in the Hebrew calendar. That's March 4, 2015. Purim celebrates the bravery and wisdom of a Jewish girl, Esther. Esther became queen of Ahasuerus, King of Persia. Here are free printable Purim activities and Jewish lesson plans to help children learn about Queen Esther.Jewish Purim printables, Queen Esther activities, lessons for Hebrew holiday - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe printable lesson plans for Catholic feast day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Dec. 12 marks the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Catholic Church. It dates to 1531 when Catholics believe the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. Latinos venerate Bl. Juan Diego on Dec. 9 and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Their feast days are part of Catholic Advent celebrations. Here are free printable Our Lady of Guadalupe lesson plans. Lesson plans on Mexico are included.Our Lady of Guadalupe printable lesson plans for Catholic feast day

 

Bad Santa rejects autistic child and service dog - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Apparently, Santa has lost his Christmas spirit. At least the Santa and elf helper at The Shops in Mission Viejo, Calif., have. Showing less yuletide cheer than the duo from "A Christmas Story," this North Pole team turned away a little autistic girl and her service dog Pup-cake. Santa suffers from pitbull phobia, it seems.  Bad Santa rejects autistic child and service dog - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes collected November 17-24 2014

As Black Friday shopping looms, we're making our lists and checking them twice. But let's not forget those whose holidays aren't so happy. Thanksgiving is a perfect time to share with the needy, especially kids. In that spirit, it's time to pack gift shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child donations, the Times and Democrat reported November 6. The Operation Christmas Child 2014 gift donation drive runs from November 17-24--just in time for Thanksgiving.  Operation Christmas Child 2014 time to pack gift shoeboxes for kids - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free Diwali crafts and activities to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights

The theme of light triumphing over darkness is common in many religions. Hindus celebrate it in Diwali, the five-day Festival of Lights. Diwali kicks off the Hindu new year. It falls in the month of Kartika--late October to early November on the western calendar. In 2014, Diwali begins October 23. Here are free printable Diwali crafts, activities, games and recipes. Teachers, you might want to use these as social studies lessons to explore Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and world holidays.Free Diwali crafts and activities to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Free Printable Rosh Hashanah Crafts

Parents and teachers, I've found a website you are going to love. Grandparents, day care providers, homeschoolers, you pay attention too. It's called The Toymaker and it is brimming over with free printable paper crafts, toys and goodies for kids. I like how it covers many world holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Sukkot, Chanukah, Solstice, Canada Day, Purim. Plus there are the more mainline festivals.

Marilyn, the Toymakers, designs these herself. She's created an online world of charming cartoon animals and characters. She's from the United Kingdom and the designs have a whimsical Dickensian flavour.    Free Printable Paper Toys, Holiday Crafts

Free Printable Catholic Liturgical Calendars and Bible Story Coloring Pages

 Catholics celebrate several religious days, referred to as Holy Days. That's where the term "holiday" originates. Based on the Bible, these days center around an event in the life of Jesus or His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. Holy Days are All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Christmas (preceded by the holy season of Advent), Solemnity of Mary (Jan 1), Ash Wednesday (movable feast which kicks of the holy season of Lent and leads up to Easter), Ascension Thursday (movable feast) and the Assumption of Mary (August 15). To follow the Catholic liturgical calendar and understand it better, here are

Free Printable Catholic Saints and Christian Bible Coloring Pages