Chanukkah is a time for family, light, and joy. Kids especially love the excitement that comes with the eight nights of celebration. Adding creative and engaging activities to your holiday routine can make it even more memorable. These simple ideas are perfect for bringing the spirit of Chanukkah into your home while keeping kids entertained and inspired.
Table of contents:
2. Make Chanukkah Candle Holders
3. Bake and Decorate Chanukkah Snacks
4. Chanukkah Storytime and Puppet Show
7. Light the Night Scavenger Hunt
10. Chanukkah Music and Dance Party
1. Decorate Your Own Dreidels
Turn the classic dreidel game into a creative craft project.
What You’ll Need:
- Wooden or plastic dreidels
- Paint, glitter, stickers, markers
How to Do It:
- Give each child a dreidel and crafting materials.
- Let them decorate it however they like.
Why I Like It: Kids can get creative while connecting with a cherished Chanukkah tradition.
2. Make Chanukkah Candle Holders
Let kids create their own candle holders or menorahs to use during the holiday.
What You’ll Need:
- Air-dry clay or recycled materials
- Paint, glue, and decorations
How to Do It:
- Help kids shape their holders using clay or materials.
- Paint and decorate once they’re dry.
Why I Like It: It’s hands-on, meaningful, and gives kids a chance to proudly showcase their work.
3. Bake and Decorate Chanukkah Snacks
Add some fun to the kitchen with festive treats.
Ideas:
- Sugar cookies shaped like dreidels or menorahs
- Edible dreidels made from marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate kisses
Why I Like It: Baking together creates special memories, and the results are always delicious.
4. Chanukkah Storytime and Puppet Show
Bring the story of Chanukkah to life in a fun and interactive way.
What You’ll Need:
- Black cardstock and craft sticks
- A flashlight or lamp
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like menorahs, flames, and dreidels.
- Attach them to craft sticks to create shadow puppets.
- Use a flashlight to cast shapes onto a wall while telling the story.
Why I Like It: It’s a creative way to teach kids the meaning behind Chanukkah while keeping them engaged.
5. Latke Topping Bar
Turn a traditional dish into a family-friendly activity.
What You’ll Need:
- Black cardstock and craft sticks
- A flashlight or lamp
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like menorahs, flames, and dreidels.
- Attach them to craft sticks to create shadow puppets.
- Use a flashlight to cast shapes onto a wall while telling the story.
Why I Like It: It’s a creative way to teach kids the meaning behind Chanukkah while keeping them engaged.
5. Latke Topping Bar
Turn a traditional dish into a family-friendly activity.
What You’ll Need:
- Cooked latkes
- Toppings: applesauce, sour cream, cheese, sprinkles
How to Do It:
- Set up a topping bar with a variety of options.
- Let kids experiment with their favorite combinations.
Why I Like It: It’s a fun way to put a new twist on a classic holiday food.
6. Play Chanukkah Bingo
Give this classic game a festive twist.
What You’ll Need:
- Black cardstock and craft sticks
- A flashlight or lamp
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like menorahs, flames, and dreidels.
- Attach them to craft sticks to create shadow puppets.
- Use a flashlight to cast shapes onto a wall while telling the story.
Why I Like It: It’s a creative way to teach kids the meaning behind Chanukkah while keeping them engaged.
5. Latke Topping Bar
Turn a traditional dish into a family-friendly activity.
What You’ll Need:
- Cooked latkes
- Toppings: applesauce, sour cream, cheese, sprinkles
How to Do It:
- Set up a topping bar with a variety of options.
- Let kids experiment with their favorite combinations.
Why I Like It: It’s a fun way to put a new twist on a classic holiday food.
6. Play Chanukkah Bingo
Give this classic game a festive twist.
What You’ll Need:
- Bingo cards featuring Chanukkah symbols (candles, dreidels, gelt)
- Chocolate gelt or candy for markers
How to Do It:
- Print or create Chanukkah-themed bingo cards.
- Use gelt or candies as markers and play as usual.
Why I Like It: It’s quick to set up and keeps kids entertained for hours.
7. Light the Night Scavenger Hunt
Add some adventure to your celebration with a scavenger hunt.
What You’ll Need:
- Clues
- Chanukkah-themed items like dreidels, gelt, or small gifts
How to Do It:
- Write clues leading to hidden items around the house.
- Let kids solve the clues to find the treasures.
Why I Like It: It turns each night into an exciting and memorable adventure.
8. Make a Chanukkah Garland
Let kids decorate the house with their own handmade garlands.
What You’ll Need:
- Clues
- Chanukkah-themed items like dreidels, gelt, or small gifts
How to Do It:
- Write clues leading to hidden items around the house.
- Let kids solve the clues to find the treasures.
Why I Like It: It turns each night into an exciting and memorable adventure.
8. Make a Chanukkah Garland
Let kids decorate the house with their own handmade garlands.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper, felt, or foam
- String or twine
- Glue and scissors
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like dreidels, candles, and stars.
- String them together to create a festive garland.
Why I Like It: It brightens up the home with the kids’ creative touch.
9. Gelt Toss Game
A simple game with a sweet reward.
What You’ll Need:
- Clues
- Chanukkah-themed items like dreidels, gelt, or small gifts
How to Do It:
- Write clues leading to hidden items around the house.
- Let kids solve the clues to find the treasures.
Why I Like It: It turns each night into an exciting and memorable adventure.
8. Make a Chanukkah Garland
Let kids decorate the house with their own handmade garlands.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper, felt, or foam
- String or twine
- Glue and scissors
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like dreidels, candles, and stars.
- String them together to create a festive garland.
Why I Like It: It brightens up the home with the kids’ creative touch.
9. Gelt Toss Game
A simple game with a sweet reward.
What You’ll Need:
- Chocolate gelt
- Bowls or containers
How to Do It:
- Set up bowls or boxes at different distances.
- Let kids toss gelt into the targets and award points for accuracy.
Why I Like It: It’s an easy activity that everyone can enjoy together.
10. Chanukkah Music and Dance Party
Bring energy and joy to your celebration with music and dancing.
What You’ll Need:
- Clues
- Chanukkah-themed items like dreidels, gelt, or small gifts
How to Do It:
- Write clues leading to hidden items around the house.
- Let kids solve the clues to find the treasures.
Why I Like It: It turns each night into an exciting and memorable adventure.
8. Make a Chanukkah Garland
Let kids decorate the house with their own handmade garlands.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper, felt, or foam
- String or twine
- Glue and scissors
How to Do It:
- Cut out shapes like dreidels, candles, and stars.
- String them together to create a festive garland.
Why I Like It: It brightens up the home with the kids’ creative touch.
9. Gelt Toss Game
A simple game with a sweet reward.
What You’ll Need:
- Chocolate gelt
- Bowls or containers
How to Do It:
- Set up bowls or boxes at different distances.
- Let kids toss gelt into the targets and award points for accuracy.
Why I Like It: It’s an easy activity that everyone can enjoy together.
10. Chanukkah Music and Dance Party
Bring energy and joy to your celebration with music and dancing.
What You’ll Need:
- A Chanukkah playlist
- DIY instruments like tambourines or shakers
How to Do It:
- Play upbeat Chanukkah songs.
- Let kids create their own instruments and dance along.
Why I Like It: Music adds energy and joy, making the celebration even more fun.
Conclusion
Chanukkah is the perfect time to combine tradition with creativity and fun. These fun Chanukkah activities for kids are easy to set up, engaging, and guaranteed to make your celebration special. Whether it’s decorating dreidels, baking festive snacks, or hosting a dance party, these ideas are sure to bring smiles and lasting memories.
Which activity will you try first? Let us know in the comments below!
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