Hanukkah for Children

Hanukkah is one of my favorite holidays, but not because of the gifts that are exchanged, but because of the traditions- the foods, the music, the games and the stories.  Here is a little bit of information about the holiday and some crafts you can try with your children.

First some basics… 

When is Hanukkah, really?

Hanukkah always falls on the 25^th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar.  Since the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar calendar the date on solar calendar varies each year. This year, Hanukkah begins on December 8th and ends on December 16th. Want to know when Hanukkah will be for the next few years? Click here to find out.

What is the right way to spell Hanukkah? Chanukah? Hanuka?

There are many ways to spell Hanukkah and they are all okay.  The variations exist because the beginning sound of the word Hanukkah when spoken in Hebrew does not exist in English!!

What is Hanukkah anyway?

Hanukkah is the celebration of Light. It is the celebration of a miracle that happened a long time ago.  It is a celebration of rededication of the Temple after it was destroyed. For the full story of Hanukkah, click here.

How is Hanukkah celebrated?

Hanukkah lasts for 8 days and 8 nights. Each night, families gather to light the menorah, eat special foods, sing songs, play Dreidel and, in some families, to exchange gifts.

What’s to Eat?

On Hanukkah, fried foods are always on the menu. The oil that the foods are fried in is a reminder of the oil in the temple that lasted 8 days instead of just 1 day.  Two popular dishes are latkes  (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts).

Games and Crafts

The Menorah

A menorah is basically a candle holder with room for 8 candles (one for each night) plus the “shamash” candle (9 total) or the helper candle which is used to light the other candles.  Menorahs of all types can be found these days. Here are some ideas you can try with your kids.

Edible Menorah

This one is always a huge hit with children.

Materials

10 large marshmallows per child

vanilla frosting

9 small pretzel sticks per child

1 piece of cardboard long enough to hold 9 marshmallows side by side

aluminum foil  to cover each piece of cardboard

child-friendly knife for spreading icing

Directions

cut and cover a piece of cardboard for each child

give each child 9 marshmallows and a small scoop or icing

have the child line the 8 marshmallows side by side along the cardboard putting a bit of icing underneath each one to hold it in place.

give each child the last marshmallow and have him place it on top of one of the others to create the shamash.

place one pretzel stick in each marshmallow to create the candles

Other Menorah Ideas

Clay Menorahs– Using clay that dries, create 9 candle holders (they can be balls, cubes or whatever shape you desire) and put a hole in each one. Be sure one of the candle holders is taller than the others for the shamash. Allow to dry, paint and add birthday candles.

Paper Menorahs– Create a menorah on paper, add candles and “flames.”

Click Menorah image to print.

The Dreidel Game

A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter printed on each side. Below are the directions for play. Note: Gelt are chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil often given as a gift during Hanukkah and are used in the game of Dreidel.

Dreidel Crafts

Make your own dreidels

Paper Dreidel— trace a dreidel shape on paper and cut it out.

Paper Dreidel Garland-– trace and decorate several paper dreidels, tape them together or attached to string and hang for decoration.

3D Paper Dreidel– Cut out two large dreidels, fold each one in half and join them with a staple at the folds.

Dreidel Collage- Cut out several dreidels (different colors and sizes) and glue them to paper.

Hanukkah Songs

These are some of the traditional Hanukkah songs sung by various artists. Click the link to hear the song and see the video.

Ocho Candelitas by Daira

Oh Dreydl (The Dreidel Song) by Daria

S’vivon by Curtis Moore-Tate

Light One Candle by Peter, Paul and Mary

Other Games to Try

“Menorah, Menorah, Dreidel”– Instead of Duck, Duck Goose, play “Menorah, Menorah, Dreidel!” or Candle, Candle, Shamash!”

Be a Dancing Dreidel. Spin and spin and then fall down!

Dreidel Jump– Write the Hebrew letters from the dreidel on large pieces of paper and spread them around.  Name a letter and have children jump to that letter.

Dreidel or Gelt Hunt– Hide several dreidels (or pieces of Gelt) around the room and have children find them.

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