Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is indeed a holiday that fills your physical space, as well as your soul, with light! It is such a lovely and special holiday to celebrate with kids.
Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev, in November or December of the secular calendar. It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s known as the Festival of Lights, or Oil, because it also celebrates the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. The Hanukkah story is about bravery and ometz lev, courage of the heart. Read more about the Hanukkah story from PJ Library here.
Common Hanukkah activities have to do with the Hanukkah symbols—the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah), dreidel, latkes, doughnuts, and oil; the Maccabees, our heroes of the Hanukkah story; eating foods fried in oil (our latkes and doughnuts again!); and spending time with family.
There are many opportunities to have a meaningful Hanukkah experience with your kids that teach them about the holiday, focus on light and hope, and the enjoyment of spending time together.
Explore our Hanukkah crafts, activities, and experiences from this year and previous ones to engage you and your family in a fun and meaningful Hanukkah experience!
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Hanukkah 2024
2024 Hanukkah Shelfie + Starter Activities
Hanukkah Activities Packet for Early Learners (Updated and Expanded in 2024!)
Hanukkah 2023
- 2023 Hanukkah Shelfie + Starter Activities
- 2023 Hanukkah Family-Focused Planner
- Hanukkah Countdown Blocks
- Giant Cardboard Donut
- Interchangeable Maccabee Peg Dolls
- Hanukkah Dreidel Ooblek Play
- Candle Wax Resist Hanukkiah Art
- Fizzy Hanukkah Menorah Fun
- Latke Count and Match
- Salt Dough Gelt Prints
- Wax and Ice Hanukkiah
Hanukkah 2022
- 2022 Hanukkah Shelfie + Starter Activities
- 2022 Family-Focused Hanukkah Planner
- Hanukkah Candle Counting Box
- Roll and Count the Dreidels
- Pom Pom Hanukkiah Drop
- Hanukkah Essential Oil Clay Diffusers
- Loose Parts Hanukkiah
- DIY Puffy Paint Donuts
- Dreidel Stamping
- Scented Nature Mason Jar Hanukkiah
Hanukkah 2021
- Hanukkah Montessori-Style 3 Part Cards
- Hanukkah Math Fun
- Hanukkah Pattern Cards
- Hanukkah (Candle)stick in Shaker
- Hanukkah Science Experiments and Exploration
- Hanukkah Connect the Symbols Pre-Writing Activity
- Dreidel Sensory Tray
- Hanukkah Paint by Number Mural
- 8 DIY Montessori-Style Toddler Activities with a Hanukkah Twist
Hanukkah 2020
- Hanukkah Reading Bingo Challenge
- Hanukkah Tape Resist Art Activity + Decoration
- Dreidel Rescue Sensory Bin (+ Dreidel Vertical Wall Rescue + Dreidel Muffin Tin Rescue)
- Hanukkah Nature Decorations (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Counting/Memory/Math Fact Cards
- I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel Retelling Craft
- Five Senses Messy Hanukkah Exploration Activity (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Rhymes and Song Activity
- Hanukkah Gift Strategy
- Hanukkah Gift By Category Guide
- Hanukkah Family-Focused Activities
Hanukkah 2019
- Easiest Hanukkah DIY Platters
- DIY Hanukkah Felt Wall (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Themed Bath (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Hanukkiah Board (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Sticker Wall (coming soon)
- Hanukkah Playdough Mats
Hanukkah 2018
- How to Make a Hanukkah I Spy Bottle
- Easy, Educational & Fun Hanukkah Classroom Party
- Hanukkah Mixed Media Collage
- How To Make A Hanukkah Book Box
- How to Make a Tabletop Hanukkah Sensory Bin
- Hanukkah Reflection Bullet Journal
Remember, it often takes me awhile to get my activities up on the blog (too busy playing!). If you want to see what we’re doing in real time, check out our Instagram!
A few of our favorite quick references:
If you want to go full-on Hanukkah with your littles, you must try our Hanukkah Activities Packet for Early Learners! I am so excited about all the Hanukkah-themed literacy, fine motor skills, math, and play fun!
For some of our favorite Hanukkah books, take a look at our Bookshop.org With Love, Ima Storefront (each purchase supports local bookstores!).
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link!*
