The Torah portion Beshalach tells us the amazing story of the parting of the Red Sea. This is the miracle that all other miracles are compared to. We have an awesome project for your children to do for this Torah portion. So gather some cardboard, construction paper, glue and imagination, and we’ll get started.

As you read through the passage with your children (Exodus 13:17-17:16) look for descriptions of the situation the Children of Israel found themselves in. They had the ocean in front of them, high cliffs on either side, and Pharaoh’s army behind them. YHVH put a pillar of fire behind them to hold the army back, and divided the Red Sea for them to cross on dry ground.

Look at the materials you have collected and determine what you can use as a base for your diorama. We used two pieces of cardboard taped together underneath. We covered the top of the base with blue and brown construction paper to create the beach and the water. Naomi did a great jagged cut along the top of two pieces of cardboard, and they became our canyon walls! We used lots of tape and glue sticks to get everything attached.

This gave us the basics. Now, to decorate! The kids were very inspired by the movie “Prince of Egypt” so they had to put lots of fishies in the water. We also ended up with seashells, sea turtles, a whale, and a swordfish.

We made little stand up figures to walk through the divided sea. The walls of water were made by tearing construction paper lengthwise and folding a tab. Then we glued the tab down to form our wall.

What Red Sea diorama would be complete without a movable pillar of fire? When we were all done, the kids used their diorama to tell us grownups the story. For young children, My First Torah makes a great read aloud to go with each Torah portion. Here’s an excerpt.

The Hebrews were very scared and thought they were about to die.

But the pillar of cloud went behind them to block the Egyptian soldiers and chariots.

Then Moses told them to stand still and watch how YHVH would save them.

Then he held his rod over the Red Sea.

YHVH caused the wind to blow, and the waters divided and exposed the ground underneath.

The Hebrews walked across on dry ground!

When they all got safely across, the cloud moved and the Egyptian soldiers followed.

But YHVH made the wheels fall off!

They got stuck and stumbled, and suddenly, the waters came back!

All the Egyptian army was destroyed, but YHVH delivered His people, Israel.

What an awesome Elohim we serve, and what a privilege to teach our children about Him! Enjoy studying Beshalach with your family.

Need help keeping track of the Torah portions? Download our pretty two page printable!