Hanukkah Activities for Kids: Creative, Educational and Meaningful Ideas for Families

If you are searching for inspiring Hanukkah activities for kids, this guide is filled with creative, educational and family-friendly ideas to help children understand and celebrate the Festival of Lights. Whether you celebrate at home, in school, at a community centre or as part of a wider cultural learning experience, these activities will help make Hanukkah meaningful and engaging for children of all ages.

Hanukkah is a joyful Jewish festival that lasts for eight nights and celebrates resilience, faith and the miracle of light. For families, it is a time of storytelling, traditions, food, music and togetherness. Incorporating hands-on Hanukkah activities for kids is a wonderful way to bring those traditions to life.

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to tradition, when the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple, there was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.

Today, families celebrate by lighting a nine-branched menorah (called a hanukkiah), adding one candle each night for eight nights. The ninth candle, known as the shamash, is used to light the others.

Hanukkah traditions include:

• Lighting the menorah each evening
• Playing dreidel
• Eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot
• Giving small gifts or gelt (chocolate coins)
• Singing traditional songs

For children, these traditions can be brought to life through creative Hanukkah activities for kids that blend learning with fun.

15 Hanukkah Activities for Kids

Below are engaging Hanukkah activities for kids that work at home, in classrooms and in community groups.

1. Make a Paper Menorah Craft

Creating a paper menorah is one of the most popular Hanukkah activities for kids.

You can:

• Print a menorah outline for colouring
• Use coloured paper and glue to create a 3D version
• Add tissue paper flames
• Label each candle for the eight nights

This activity helps children understand the structure of the menorah and the meaning behind lighting one candle each night.

2. Create a Hanukkah Countdown Chart

Since Hanukkah lasts eight nights, children can track the days using a countdown chart.

Ideas include:

• Adding a sticker for each night
• Colouring in a candle daily
• Writing one thing they are grateful for each evening
• Recording family traditions

This reinforces the significance of each night and encourages reflection.

3. Play Dreidel and Learn the Rules

Playing dreidel is a traditional and exciting Hanukkah activity for kids.

The four Hebrew letters on the dreidel represent the phrase meaning “A great miracle happened there.” Children can spin the dreidel and follow the rules of the game using chocolate coins or counters.

You could also:

• Create homemade dreidels from paper or clay
• Design and decorate wooden dreidels
• Incorporate maths by counting and adding winnings

This activity combines cultural learning with simple numeracy skills.

4. Cook Latkes Together

Cooking together is a meaningful way to celebrate Hanukkah.

Latkes (potato pancakes) are traditionally eaten because they are fried in oil, symbolising the miracle of the oil.

Children can help by:

• Washing potatoes
• Mixing ingredients
• Measuring flour
• Setting the table

Cooking is one of the most memorable Hanukkah activities for kids because it engages all the senses and builds family bonds.

5. Make a Hanukkah Sensory Tray

For younger children, a Hanukkah sensory tray is a fun and hands-on experience.

Include:

• Blue and silver shredded paper
• Plastic dreidels
• Chocolate coins
• Star-shaped cookie cutters
• Mini menorah figures

This supports fine motor development and imaginative play.

6. Create Hanukkah Lanterns or Candle Holders

Although the menorah is central to Hanukkah, children can also create decorative lanterns or candle holders using jars, tissue paper and safe battery-operated candles.

Decorate using:

• Blue and silver paint
• Stars of David
• Glitter
• Cut-out candle shapes

This activity reinforces the theme of light that runs through all Hanukkah celebrations.

7. Read Hanukkah Stories

Reading together is one of the most valuable Hanukkah activities for kids.

You can:

• Visit your local library
• Create a Hanukkah book basket
• Read traditional stories about the Maccabees
• Explore modern children’s books about Hanukkah traditions

After reading, children could:

• Draw their favourite scene
• Retell the story
• Create puppets based on characters

This builds literacy skills and cultural understanding.

8. Make Gelt Maths Games

Chocolate coins (gelt) are perfect for simple maths activities.

Children can:

• Count coins
• Add and subtract
• Create patterns
• Sort by colour

Turning treats into learning tools makes maths more engaging.

9. Design Hanukkah Cards

Children can design handmade Hanukkah cards for friends, neighbours or family members.

Include:

• Drawn menorahs
• Dreidel illustrations
• Festive messages
• Blue and silver decorations

This encourages creativity and thoughtful communication.

10. Create a Kindness Challenge

Hanukkah celebrates perseverance and faith. You can incorporate values by creating a kindness challenge for the eight nights.

Each night, encourage children to:

• Help with a chore
• Write a thank-you note
• Donate toys
• Perform a random act of kindness

This helps connect traditional values with everyday behaviour.

11. Build a LEGO Menorah

For children who enjoy construction toys, building a menorah from bricks can be a creative engineering challenge.

This STEM-inspired Hanukkah activity for kids encourages problem-solving and spatial awareness.

12. Make Hanukkah Decorations

Decorating your home or classroom makes the celebration feel special.

Ideas include:

• Paper chain garlands
• Star of David crafts
• Window decorations
• Blue and silver bunting

Children take pride in seeing their handmade decorations displayed.

13. Host a Hanukkah Family Celebration Night

Bring together multiple Hanukkah activities for kids into one special evening.

Include:

• Lighting the menorah
• Playing dreidel
• Sharing traditional foods
• Singing songs
• Storytelling

Creating a structured celebration helps children understand the flow of each evening.

14. Explore the Science of Light

Since Hanukkah centres on the miracle of light, you can introduce simple science experiments.

Try:

• Prism rainbows
• Shadow play
• Candle safety discussions
• Exploring how light travels

This integrates STEM learning with cultural education.

15. Create a Gratitude Journal

Each night of Hanukkah, children can write or draw one thing they are thankful for.

This reflective practice aligns with the themes of resilience, gratitude and faith that are central to the festival.

Why Hanukkah Activities for Kids Are Important

Participating in Hanukkah activities for kids helps children:

• Understand Jewish traditions and history
• Strengthen cultural identity
• Develop creativity and fine motor skills
• Learn values such as gratitude and kindness
• Build meaningful family traditions

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah as part of your faith or are exploring it as a cultural learning opportunity, these activities create lasting memories.

Final Thoughts

Hanukkah activities for kids offer more than just crafts and games. They provide opportunities for storytelling, reflection, learning and family bonding. From menorah crafts and dreidel games to cooking latkes and exploring the science of light, there are countless ways to make the Festival of Lights engaging and meaningful for children.

By combining creativity with tradition, you can help children understand the significance of Hanukkah while enjoying fun and educational experiences together.