Hannukah activities for children 

Activities and games can be a helpful way to teach children about the holy festival of Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.  

Hannukah means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew. It’s a celebration of a miracle that happened over 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem.  

What is Hannukah? – Newsround 

Families mark Hannukah in lots of ways, like: 

• Lighting a menorah.  
• Playing dreidel.  
• Eating special foods, like Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (doughnuts).   

Hannukah is celebrated every year in November or December and lasts for 8 days.  

Hannukah dates – Wikipedia  

There are lots of things you can make with your child to celebrate Hannukah, for example: 

• Dreidels made from old cereal boxes  
• Menorahs made out of Lego  
• Paper plate menorahs  
• Latkes (potatoes, flour and eggs) 

You can also find free printable Hannukah crafts online. 

There are lots of great Hannukah books you can share with your children at different ages.

• 0-2 years: Baby’s First Hanukkah [Waterstones] 
• 3-8 years: Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights by Bonnie Bader [Amazon] 
• 4-8 years: Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah by  Tilda Balsley [World of Books]
• 5-9 years: Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel [Amazon]
• 6 years+: The Story of Hanukkah by David Adler [Blackwells]