
What are activities that they do in Hanukkah?
Hanukkah activities for preschoolers and toddlers. 1. Make a sensory menorah for toddlers, says author Aviva Brown. Image via Aviva Brown. 2. Make recycled dreidel paper dolls. 3. Practice writing the Hebrew letters that appear on the dreidel: nun, gimmel, hei, and shin. 4.
What are the Special Activities during Hanukkah?
Hanukkah activities are fun for your child during the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah activities include Hanukkah crafts, Hanukkah recipes, and Hanukkah games.
What does Hanukkah teach us?
Without the events of Hanukkah, there would be no Messiah. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Jewish people over the forces of Antiochus, a Greek-Syrian ruler whose empire descended from Alexander the Great. Alexander looked favorably on the Jewish people and allowed them to continue to worship the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
What are the main events of Hanukkah?
What are some Hanukkah traditions?
- Lighting the menorah. Lighting the menorah for Hanukkah honors the miracle of the rededication of the Second Temple. ...
- Playing with dreidels. While dreidels may just seem like a fun toy, they actually have some serious significance. ...
- Gelt. Gelt are chocolate coins often given to children during Hanukkah and often used in dreidel games. ...
- Charitable giving. ...
See more

What are traditional Hanukkah activities?
Kids look forward to certain Hanukkah traditions -- spinning the dreidel, making latkes, lighting the menorah, and exchanging gifts.
How do you make Hanukkah fun?
Make Hanukkah This Year as Fun as Ever With These 15 IdeasHanukkah-Themed Drawing Time. ... Make Challah. ... DIY A Menorah. ... Get Them to Help Decorate. ... Go on a Special Walk Before Lighting the Menorah. ... Make a DIY Dreidel. ... Make Jelly Sufganiyot. ... Give Each Night a Theme.More items...•
What do kids do on Hanukkah?
Families play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally eaten with applesauce and sour cream during Hanukkah. In 2021, Hanukkah starts the evening of November 28 and ends on December 6.
How do you make Hanukkah fun for kids?
7 Ways To Make Hanukkah Extra Fun for KidsDecorate. Part of making any holiday festive is departing from the norm. ... Make Hanukkah Crafts. Decorating for Hannukah is more fun when you DIY some of the décor. ... Give Good Gelt. ... Get Creative with Giving. ... Attend Hanukkah Celebrations. ... Cook and Prep Food Together. ... Make It Meaningful.
How do schools celebrate Hanukkah?
Hanukkah Activities and Games for the ClassroomSpin the Dreidel Game. The dreidel game is a classic Hanukkah tradition. ... Build Your Own Menorah. ... Read Hanukkah Books. ... Hanukkah Acrostic Poems. ... Seleucid Empire vs. ... Writing Prompt. ... The Eight Days of Hanukkah. ... Create Paper Dreidels.More items...•
How do you craft a menorah?
0:5411:19How to Make a Paper Plate Menorah | Sophie's World - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you just need one. And you're gonna fold it in half like that break down the middle. Open it upMoreSo you just need one. And you're gonna fold it in half like that break down the middle. Open it up take your hot glue here or whatever glue you're using. And glue it right along the edge.
How do you make a menorah for preschoolers?
3:053:56DIY Kids Menorah for Hanukkah - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart with a central candle. Put hot glue in the bottom of the tube. And place the candle in theMoreStart with a central candle. Put hot glue in the bottom of the tube. And place the candle in the center of the candle. Holder. Then place candles at both ends.
What is the significance of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, following the Maccabean Revolt. According to the Talmud, Maccabees found only enough olive oil to keep the Temple’s menorah’s candles burning for a single day, but the flames burned for eight nights.
What is the most classic Hanukkah game?
16. The most classic Hanukkah game is, of course, spinning the dreidel. “It is great practice for taking turns, counting, trying out the math concept of one half when you spin a ‘hey,’ developing fine motor skills for spinning the dreidel and dealing with the disappointment of not always spinning a ‘gimel,’” says Kerner.
Who wrote the Hanukkah book?
97. Explore Hanukkah rituals with the help of whimsical bunnies in the charming, rhyming board book “ Hanukkah Delight! ,” written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Amy Husband.
Who wrote Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas?
95. Read a multicultural indie children’s book “ Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas ,” by Pamela Ehrenberg and Anjan Sarkar.
Hanukkah activities for preschoolers
Getting your toddler to sit still for an entire activity might feel like as much of a miracle as the oil lasting 8 days. But, these fun Hanukkah activities for preschoolers are engaging and interactive, plus they are all centered around the holiday where your toddler gets gifts, so they will definitely be excited!
Hanukkah crafts for kids
Arts & crafts are a great way to keep children entertained and help them explore their creative side. Some other benefits of art for children? Improving fine and gross motor skills, expressing emotions in a positive way, and increasing self-confidence. Plus, art is just fun! Here are some of our favorite Hanukkah crafts for kids.
Hanukkah printables
Here are some of our favorite Hanukkah printables to keep your little ones busy while you fry up the latkes and prepare the sufiyanot.
Looking for fun ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights with your kids? Have a blast celebrating the holiday with all these creative Hanukkah activities and crafts that will keep toddlers and preschoolers happily entertained!
Looking for fun ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights with your kids? Have a blast celebrating the holiday with all these creative Hanukkah activities and crafts that will keep toddlers and preschoolers happily entertained!
Eight is a meaningful number to the holiday of Hanukkah
The holiday is celebrated for 8 nights to commemorate the miracle of a tiny amount of ritual oil for lighting the Temple menorah lasting for 8 days.
3. Singing Hanukkah with kids
The most important of all Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of the menorah each evening.
4. Hanukkah DIY for Kids
In the same vein, parents love it too even when they’re not handly at crafting. So, that’s why we collected these 3 amazing preschool crafts for Hanukkah that will help you spend a great family time together.
What are some good games to play on Hanukkah?
1 Dreidel. Moms and Crafters. There is no more classic Hanukkah game than dreidel. Spin the top and take or give up a share of the pot (usually pennies or chocolate coins) depending on where it lands. Give it an extra personal touch with homemade dreidels you can make out of clay.
How to get the party started for Hanukkah?
Really get the Hanukkah party started with a drinking game. Try it with a dreidel and drink according to where it lands. Or do it throughout the night, drinking at designated opportunities, like when that Adam Sandler song comes on, every time someone opens a present, and when someone in the group snaps a selfie with the menorah. Or buy a Hanukkah-themed drinking game , like this one! (Naturally, this game is for the 21-plus celebrants in the group.)
How long does Hanukkah last?
Hanukkah lasts eight nights — and that means wrapping a lot of presents. Test your crew to see who’s become the most skillful wrapper in the game with a fun gift wrap challenge. Designate an item to play with: Make it a simple box, or pick something irregularly shaped to add to the challenge. Whoever wraps it the fastest gets to take it home as a prize.
What is the best Hanukkah game?
There is no more classic Hanukkah game than dreidel. Spin the top and take or give up a share of the pot (usually pennies or chocolate coins) depending on where it lands. Give it an extra personal touch with homemade dreidels you can make out of clay.
Why is Hanukkah important?
Hanukkah is a perfect time to learn more about Jewish history with kids. Deeply saddening events like the Holocaust are important to remember and to teach our children. It’s also important to remember Jewish joy! Share stories of happiness, success, and everyday life that feature Jewish children and adults.
What is the traditional food for Hanukkah?
There’s no more traditional food for Hanukkah than potato latkes. These crispy fried potato pancakes are as addictive as they are commemorative; the oil in which they are fried is an homage to the oil that lasted through the 8 days. (Other foods fried in oil are popular for Hanukkah, too!)
What does tzedakah mean?
Usually translated as “charity” or “donations,” “tzedakah” actually means “righteousness,” underscoring how important it is to give of yourself. Some people put coins in a type of piggy bank called a “tzedakah box,” while others give food or money to food banks, homeless shelters, etc.
How many candles are in a Hanukkah menorah?
A Hanukkah menorah, or Hanukkiah, typically has 9 candles – one for each day of the celebration, and one helper candle, called the shamash.
How long did the oil last on the menorah?
When they wanted to do this, they had enough sacred olive oil to last for one day for the menorah. But the Hanukkah miracle is that the oil lasted for a full 8 days, leaving them enough time to bless new holy oil.
How long is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah lasts for 8 days. Hanukkah falls on the 25th of Kislev on the Jewish calendar. In about 200 B.C.E., Antiochus IV Epiphanes told the Jews living in Judea that they could no longer practice their religion and that they must worship the Greek gods.
How many candles are lit for Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights honoring the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It is marked by lighting 8 candles for the 8 days of celebration. These Hanukkah activities are wonderful for kids and families of all ages to learn about the holiday and celebrate in a respectful, fun way. This guide is intended to help you ...
What is the significance of Hanukkah?from care.com
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, following the Maccabean Revolt. According to the Talmud, Maccabees found only enough olive oil to keep the Temple’s menorah’s candles burning for a single day, but the flames burned for eight nights.
What is the most classic Hanukkah game?from care.com
16. The most classic Hanukkah game is, of course, spinning the dreidel. “It is great practice for taking turns, counting, trying out the math concept of one half when you spin a ‘hey,’ developing fine motor skills for spinning the dreidel and dealing with the disappointment of not always spinning a ‘gimel,’” says Kerner.
Who wrote the Hanukkah book?from care.com
97. Explore Hanukkah rituals with the help of whimsical bunnies in the charming, rhyming board book “ Hanukkah Delight! ,” written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Amy Husband.
Who wrote Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas?from care.com
95. Read a multicultural indie children’s book “ Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas ,” by Pamela Ehrenberg and Anjan Sarkar.
How to teach about Hanukkah?from educationworld.com
With this lesson, teachers have access to background information about Hanukkah, and in the end, students will be able to: 1 To explain why Hanukkah is celebrated 2 Recognize symbols associated with the celebration of Hanukkah and understand what they represent. 3 Recognizing that an understanding can be achieved among people of different religious backgrounds. 4 Appreciate celebrations unique to certain people through understanding why they occur.
Why is Hanukkah important?from reformjudaism.org
Hanukkah, therefore, is a means for North American Jews to feel a kinship with their neighbors, while simultaneously asserting their Jewish distinctiveness.
What happened to the Maccabees during the Hanukkah miracle?from learnreligions.com
The Hanukkah Miracle. When the Maccabees and their followers retook the Temple, they quickly reinstituted Jewish law , though some Jews maintained their allegiance to Greek traditions. The new Jewish state reimposed Jewish laws and purified the Temple. A new altar was built, and new sacred vessels were crafted.
What is the most classic Hanukkah game?from care.com
16. The most classic Hanukkah game is, of course, spinning the dreidel. “It is great practice for taking turns, counting, trying out the math concept of one half when you spin a ‘hey,’ developing fine motor skills for spinning the dreidel and dealing with the disappointment of not always spinning a ‘gimel,’” says Kerner.
What is the Hanukkah reading theater?from signupgenius.com
Hanukkah Reader's Theater- Grab some Hanukkah-themed books (mix it up with some from the library or loaned from friends), assign parts or pages and read a book together in reader's theater style.
How long does Hanukkah last?from goodhousekeeping.com
Hanukkah lasts eight nights — and that means wrapping a lot of presents. Test your crew to see who’s become the most skillful wrapper in the game with a fun gift wrap challenge. Designate an item to play with: Make it a simple box, or pick something irregularly shaped to add to the challenge. Whoever wraps it the fastest gets to take it home as a prize.
Where is Hanukkah set?from learnreligions.com
The story of Hanukkah is set in the Seleucid Empire, an area that included Babylonia as well as much of Anatolia, Persia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the areas now known as Kuwait, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. The empire was founded by Seleucus I Nicator after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE.
How to teach Chanukah to children?
51. Floating/Sinking Chanukah: For early childhood/elementary. Bring in a large tub and fill it with water. Bring in different objects: cork, paper, fabric, clay. Have the children predict what will sink or float and let them experiment to test their hypotheses. Encourage the students to explain why the object did what it did. Then, bring in sample liquids: oil, regular soda, diet soda, and experiment with those. Discuss with children.
What is the Chanukah archeology hunt?
41. Chanukah Archeology Hunt: In a sandbox, bury Chanukah artifacts (e.g. oil flask, candles, etc). Children dig to find the artifacts, but have to explain their meaning before redeeming them for Chanukah gelt! Submitted by Jennie Fisher.
What is Chanukah Learn a Thon?
31. Chanukah Learn-a-thon: The Maccabees fought to protect our way of life. Organize a Chanukah lighting ceremony in your school and learn Torah in small groups (parents-children) while the candles burn! Teachers move around the room to help groups. Submitted by Ezra.
What is the light of Chanukah?
45. The Light of Chanukah: Chanukah is a holiday celebrating the end of religious oppression. To bring this lesson home to the students, research a case of current religious oppression (sadly, many instances exist) and organize a campaign to educate about it and fight it (e.g. letters to congressmen, editorials). Submitted by Marcus P.
What is the Chanukah book off competition?
40. Chanukah Book-Off Competition: Students read Chanukah-related books over the holiday (parents initial next to book name). The student who reads the most in the class wins a gift certificate to a bookstore. School librarians can provide book lists.
The Basics
Are you new to celebrating Hanukkah or just need a little refresher? Do you remember the story of Hanukkah or what they eat in Israel to celebrate? Check out my videos on the basics and how we celebrate in our home.
Hanukkah Activities
Looking for some fun Hanukkah activities? Here are a whole load of Hanukkah crafts to do with your kids and even some Hanukkah learning activities. I also have a great dreidel tutorial and printable dreidel instruction sheet. This tutorial is great for Hanukkah playdates with non-Jewish friends or as part of a Hanukkah lesson plan.
Hanukkah Shopping
There is so much Hanukkah merchandise on the market these days, so I’m here to help you find all the good stuff. Check out my updated list of where to find Hanukkah pajamas and my list of small businesses that carry Hanukkah items.
Hanukkah Recipes
Potato latkes are the most classic Hanukkah food, but have you made sufganiyot for Hanukkah yet? Let me walk you through a perfectly impressive weeknight Hanukkah meal and my clever jelly donut recipe shortcut.
