As the Festival of Lights approaches, it’s the perfect time to make Hanukkah extra special for your little ones. This year, we’ve curated a list of eight exciting Hanukkah activities, ensuring that the Festival of Lights is not only festive but also educational and memorable for your family. Hanukkah is a time for family, traditions, and creating cherished memories. These carefully selected activities will light up your celebrations and bring joy to your children’s hearts.
1. Hanukkah Story-time
Gather your kids for a cozy Hanukkah Storytime. Share the miraculous story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil with your little ones. Consider reading “The 9 Candles of Hanukkah Tell the Tale”, “Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf”, “Hanukkah Bear”, and “The Story of Hanukkah“.
2. Hanukkah Activity Book Fun
“Hanukkah Adventure: A Kids’ Activity Book” is your secret weapon for endless Hanukkah fun. Moreover, packed with coloring pages, trivia, stories, and more, it’s the perfect way to keep your kids entertained and educated during the holiday season.
3. Create Your Own Hanukkah Decorations
Get creative and crafty with your kids by making Hanukkah decorations. From homemade menorahs to dreidel garlands, crafting them together is a fantastic way to build excitement and add a personal touch to your Hanukkah celebrations.
Craft Idea: Hanukkah Paper Chain Menorah
Materials Needed:
- Colored construction paper (blue, yellow, and white)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or colored pencils
- Tape
Instructions:
- Cut strips of blue, yellow, and white construction paper into equal-sized pieces, approximately 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.
- Have the kids decorate the strips with markers or colored pencils. They can draw menorahs, dreidels, Stars of David, and other Hanukkah-themed designs.
- Form a circle with one of the blue strips and glue the ends together to create a paper chain link.
- Add more links to the chain by looping them through the previous link and gluing the ends. Continue this process to create a long paper chain.
- Once you have a long paper chain, attach it to the wall in the shape of a menorah. Use tape to secure it in place.
- Cut out a yellow flame shape and attach it at the top of the paper menorah. This represents the shamash (the helper candle) on the Hanukkah menorah.
4. Delicious Latke Making
Get your little chefs involved in the kitchen by making delicious latkes (potato pancakes) together. Furthermore, let them help with the mixing, shaping, and, of course, the tasting. Cooking as a family is a wonderful way to bond during Hanukkah.
Classic Potato Latkes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- Peel the potatoes and place them in a bowl of cold water as you work to prevent browning.
- Using a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment, grate the potatoes and onion. If using a food processor, alternate between a potato and a piece of onion to ensure even mixing. Place the grated potatoes and onion in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible into a separate bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with the eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour vegetable oil into a large, deep skillet to a depth of about 1/4 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Using a large spoon or your hands, scoop up some of the latke mixture and carefully drop it into the hot oil. Flatten the mixture slightly with the back of the spoon to form a pancake shape. Repeat this process for as many latkes as will fit comfortably in the skillet without overcrowding. Fry the latkes until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Use a spatula to flip them over when they’re ready.
- Remove the latkes from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Latkes are best served warm. Enjoy them with applesauce, sour cream, or your favorite toppings. For an extra touch of flavor, you can garnish your latkes with fresh chopped chives or a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives.
These classic potato latkes are a delicious and traditional Hanukkah treat that the whole family will enjoy. Additionally, enjoy making and savoring these crispy delights during your Hanukkah celebration!
5. Light the Menorah Together
Each night of Hanukkah, gather around the menorah and light the candles together. Let your children take turns lighting the candles and saying their blessings. It’s a beautiful tradition that reinforces the significance of the holiday.
6. Dreidel Fun
Introduce your kids to the excitement of the dreidel game. Teach them the rules and play a few rounds. You can even create a homemade dreidel or use the connect-the-dots dreidel activity from “Hanukkah Adventure” for added fun.
Here are the rules for playing the traditional Dreidel game:
The Dreidel game can be played with two or more players. Materials Needed: A Dreidel (a spinning top with Hebrew letters on its sides), and A collection of tokens (such as coins, candy, or small items). The objective of the game is to win tokens from the center pot. Setup: Distribute an equal number of tokens to each player. Make sure there is also a central “pot” of tokens in the middle. All players start with an equal number of tokens, and each player contributes one token to the center pot to start the game. Dreidel Symbols: The four sides of the Dreidel have Hebrew letters that stand for the following actions:
- Nun (נ): No action. The player does nothing.
- Gimel (ג): The player takes all the tokens in the center pot.
- Hey (ה): The player takes half of the tokens in the center pot. If there is an odd number of tokens, the player takes the extra token.
- Shin (ש): The player adds one token to the center pot.
Gameplay: The game begins with the players sitting in a circle. The player to the left of the youngest player goes first, and play continues clockwise. On a player’s turn, they spin the Dreidel. The action they take depends on the Hebrew letter that faces up after the Dreidel stops spinning. Players follow the corresponding action associated with the letter. The game continues until one player has won all the tokens. That player is declared the winner.
In some variations of the Dreidel game, players may contribute two tokens to the center pot at the beginning of the game, or each player may begin with a set number of tokens instead of an equal amount.
The Dreidel game is a traditional and enjoyable Hanukkah activity that adds fun and excitement to the holiday celebration. It’s a great way to involve children and adults in the festivities while embracing a cherished tradition.
7. Family Movie Night
Choose a Hanukkah-themed movie or a family favorite and have a cozy movie night at home. Prepare some popcorn, cuddle up on the couch, and enjoy quality time together.
Movies suggestions:
“Eight Crazy Nights” (2002): This animated comedy film is not just about Hanukkah but also provides a humorous take on the holiday season. It’s suitable for older kids and teens.
“The Maccabees: The Story of Hanukkah” (2015): This educational animated film presents historical background and significance of Hanukkah. It’s an excellent choice for families looking to learn more about the holiday.
“Shalom Sesame: Chanukah – The Missing Menorah” (2010): This episode from the “Shalom Sesame” series is perfect for younger kids, teaching them about Hanukkah in a fun and engaging way.
8. Light the Way
Take a nighttime walk with your kids to admire the lights in your neighborhood. Discuss the concept of spreading light and hope during Hanukkah and how your family can do the same.
This Hanukkah embraces traditions, creates magical moments, and fills your home with laughter and love. These eight activities will not only entertain your kids but also help them understand the significance of Hanukkah. And do not forget to make “Hanukkah Adventure” a part of your celebrations for an extra dose of joy and learning. May your Hanukkah be bright and filled with beautiful memories!