Children and adults alike look forward to the annual rituals of Hanukkah, the eight-night "festival of lights" celebrating a miracle, and freedom from religious oppression. With family alongside, lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, eating latkes and singing songs together are just some of the traditions that help kids connect to the joyful holiday. Plus, these festive books and activities offer more engaging ways to bring the spirit of Hannukah to life for kids of all ages. Share the meaning of this holiday with your little ones to create lasting memories and unique traditions that can be passed on to the next generation.
Host a Fun Read-Aloud
Family read-alouds are a great way to introduce young children to Hanukkah's rituals and create a special bond. Familiar characters help pre-readers put things into context. In Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah, Clifford and Emily Elizabeth are invited to a Hanukkah party where they play with a dreidel, eat latkes, munch on jelly donuts and discover the story of Hanukkah.
For older kids, Scholastic Parents fan Marilynn Jacobs recommends Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel. "My kids and I used to read it aloud, radio-style, with each of us coming up with funny voices for the goblins. We read it all the way through middle school," she says.
Sing Along While Spinning a Dreidel
Family sing-alongs are also a great way to introduce your children to holiday songs and highlight the importance of carrying on traditions. The Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel book is an easy way to learn the classic "I Have a Little Dreidel" song. Follow along as different animal families light the menorah, spin the dreidel and eat latkes. This adorable book is also shaped like a dreidel, truly bringing the song to life and delighting kids.
Another sing-along book that your child is sure to enjoy is I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel. Written in simple rhyme with whimsical illustrations, this story is about Bube, a grandmother, who, while eating her dinner of latkes, applesauce, brisket and a bagel, accidently swallows a driedel. This hilarious song requires each child to add on a new lyric and will keep them laughing for hours.
Include Your Newborn
Nothing is more special than baby's first holiday! Invite your newborn to join in the celebration by snuggling on the couch while reading Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah by Sylvia A. Rouss. This story will teach your baby how to identify colors and numbers while describing the Jewish traditions of Hanukkah. Older kids can join the fun by reading aloud different sections of the dialouge using funny voices for the spiders.
Keep Them Entertained with Printables
For more holiday fun and games, spark your kids' imagination by creating a homemade dreidel and then seeing who can spin theirs the longest.
If your little ones love dinosaurs, they're sure to enjoy How Do Dinosaurs Say Chanukah Coloring Sheet. This printable is inspired by How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. This dino-riffic tale follows these grand prehistoric animals who create mischief during the eight days of Chanukah while learning holiday traditions, spending time with family, spinning the dreidel, and trying not to blow out the candles!
Give a Meaningful Gift
If you're stuggling to come up with a gift, elemetary school kids may enjoy The Keeping Quilt, Patricia Polacco's endearing tale of a quilt passed down through four generations of her family. The book details her family's Russian-Jewish cutoms and was called "a touching tale about the love between generations," by Common Sense Media.
