1. Dreidel
Of course, we have to start off with the classic Hanukkah game, dreidel!
Legend says that during the Greek occupation of the Holy Land which outlawed Torah learning (and led to the rebellion from which we get our Hanukkah origins), Jewish children learned in secret and would pull out a spinning top if a Greek soldier passed by, to give the illusion of simply playing.
The dreidel has been a classic game played till this day – and is a festive, interactive way to keep your whole family entertained this Hanukkah season. And, it will help your little ones practice their math skills, too!
RULES:
- Each player begins with an equal number of game pieces (usually 10–15). The game pieces can be any object, such as chocolate gelt, pennies, candies or other treats, etc.
- At the start of the game, every player puts one game piece into the center "pot".
- Each player spins the dreidel once during their turn. Depending on which side is facing up when it stops spinning, the player gives or takes game pieces from the pot:
- נ (nun): do nothing
- ג (gimel): take everything in the pot
- ה (hei): take half the pieces in the pot (if there is an odd number of pieces, round up to the nearest whole number)
- ש (shin) or פ (pey): add one game piece to the pot (or in some variations, 3 pieces for each of the 3 stems in the letter shin)
- Once a player is out of pieces, they're "out" or can ask another player for a "loan." The last player standing wins!
Make sure you have everything you need for a game of Hanukkah dreidel with our festive Israeli dreidels – fun to play with and beautiful enough to display when not in use!
2. Jewish Puzzles
Teach your kids about the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the menorah oil while they build a fun 3D puzzle model of the Temple itself! Or, have them connect to Hanukkah traditions in a hands-on way by building their own dreidel or with a Hanukkah menorah craft.
What better way to keep your children busy on a cold winter night and teach them Jewish stories than through a Jewish puzzle or craft kit?
3. Board Games
Some Medieval European Jewish communities had a custom of playing card games or board games such as chess throughout the night of Christmas Eve, in order to stay vigilant in case of pogroms. Board games have thus eventually become associated for many Jewish families with the entire winter holiday season. Today, in happier circumstances, this tradition makes for a fun Hanukkah family activity!
Get ready for board game night with our gorgeous game set made out of deluxe olive wood from the Land of Israel and crafted by Israeli artisans, with carved wood game pieces included for chess, checkers, and backgammon.
4. Maccabee Hide-and-Seek
Your kids can build forts and “caves” around the house using sheets, couch cushions, etc. and then play hide-and-seek in them in a tribute to the mighty Maccabees of the Hanukkah story. For a twist, everyone can have one “freebie” – if they are playing dreidel when they’re discovered, they get another chance to hide.
5. Hanukkah-themed Charades
6. Holiday Hands-On Tic-Tac-Toe
Get your kids excited about the Festival of Lights with their own colorful menorah that doubles as a tic-tac-toe game they can play when not lit.
7. 20 Questions: Famous Jewish People Edition
Write names of famous Jewish people throughout history – actors, politicians, Zionist leaders, Biblical figures, etc. – on small pieces of paper. Tape or pin one name to each player’s back, without them seeing what it is; throughout the evening, players have to try to figure out who they are by asking strategic questions of the others. See who can do it in 20 questions or less!
8. Hanukkah Treasure & Scavenger Hunts
Set up a gelt treasure hunt for your kids, or organize a Hanukkah-themed scavenger hunt with a list of holiday related items for your kids to look for – such as all-blue items, anything that lights up, or a set list of things beginning with “H” for Hanukkah.
9. Top Latke Chef
With so many latke recipes and variations out there, how do you choose the best one for your family or to serve at your holiday party? Why not have everyone make their own version, and delegate a judge or judges to choose the best one! And if your kids are old enough to participate, a contest is a perfect way to get them excited about cooking and about Jewish food.
You can even make it competitive with prizes such as gelt, dreidels, or other fun gifts!
You’ve got the food, but don’t forget to set your holiday table right (with help from the whole family, of course!) with our top Jewish tableware from Israel.
10. Forbidden Hanukkah Word
Before your Hanukkah party or family dinner, choose a “forbidden word.” It’ll be most fun and challenging if it’s a common holiday-related word like “Hanukkah,” “menorah,” “light,” “latke,” etc. Everyone gets five items at the beginning of the evening – such as safety pins or rubber bands they can wear – and whenever they’re caught saying the forbidden word, they must take off/surrender one of their items. The person with the most items at the end of the night wins!
And don’t forget a fun prize like extra treats or a special Hanukkah toy or gift.
11. Modified Dreidel Games
After playing the traditional dreidel game, change it up by using the Hanukkah spinning top for different kinds of games:
- Give each side a number value, and race to see who can get a certain total number first by adding each spin.
- Have a spinning contest and see whose dreidel can spin the longest. You can do this tournament-style to come up with a grand prize winner.
- Make a target board for the table, and everyone spins their dreidel with the goal of landing in a particular spot.
Do you have enough dreidels to keep your kids and guests entertained? Check out our exclusive collection for fun dreidels in every style and budget.
12. Dreidel Scattergories
Have each letter of the dreidel stand for a category (for example Hanukkah songs, Hanukkah foods, things that light up, etc.). When a player spins, they must shout out a word in the category of the letter the dreidel lands on. It gets harder (and more fun!) as you go because you can’t repeat what was previously said!
13. Hanukkah Crafts
- Make Star of David, menorah, or dreidel themed art or crafts.
- Decorate cookies with Hanukkah themes; make your own, or simply buy blue and white icing and decorate store-bought cookies in your child’s favorite flavor.
- Buy a child-friendly candle-making kit and have your kids make their own Hanukkah candles.
- Make your own dreidel - you can even order a DIY dreidel kit from Israel here!
- Have your kids make their own menorah out of age-appropriate materials: some possibilities include playdough; empty bottles, jars, or old glass cups with tinfoil to ensure a snug fit for the candles; or cupcakes, whether purchased or home-made, adorned with candles on top. Don’t forget some sort of base to raise one “candleholder” to be taller than the others as a shamash.
14. Put on a Hanukkah Play
15. More Hanukkah Activities for Kids
- Have a Hanukkah-themed movie marathon.
- Create or buy a tzedakah box, and start a routine of putting aside small change to later donate to the child’s charity of choice.
- Look up a local toy donation drive or have your kids organize one for the neighborhood; have them go through their toys and pick ones they no longer use in order to donate.
- Pass out gelt, donuts, and other Hanukkah treats to neighbors.
Teach your child the value of charity, or tzedakah, this Hanukkah with our beautiful tzedakah boxes from the Land of Israel.
