Are you looking for beautiful, meaningful ways to celebrate Hanukkah with your kids? This list brings you a variety of ideas, ranging from traditional to creative spins on the classics. Indianapolis is also home to several Hanukkah events where you can explore the significance of this holiday with your family. These opportunities are included at the end of this article.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that begins at sundown on the 24th of Kislev, a date on the Hebrew Calendar that typically falls sometime in November or December. The Hanukkah celebration lasts eight days and nights.
In 2024, Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25 and ends at sundown on January 2.
On the 24th of Kislev in 164 BCE, after a clan of Jewish fighters known as the Maccabees led a successful revolt against Seleucid-Greek occupation, the Jerusalem Temple was reclaimed and rededicated. The Temple had been desecrated by occupying forces, and mostly all items of value had been looted or destroyed. But they were able to find one container of oil to light the menorah for one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for 8 days and nights. Because of this, Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 nights, and each night an additional candle is lit on the menorah.
Beautiful, Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah as a Family
Celebrate Light
Hanukkah is about miracles, hope, and illumination. When we light the candles on the Hanukkah menorah, we say the following special blessing and are invited to become fully immersed in that moment.
“Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.”
“Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights.”
My daughter and I each have our own menorahs. It is customary to light them by windows and they can be seen from the outside.
Celebrate Miracles
A favorite Hanukkah tradition is playing dreidel. The four-sided spinning top bears the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin, which form an acronym for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” or “A Great Miracle Happened There.”
We have acquired many dreidels over the years, and when I bring them out in preparation for the holiday, my daughter enjoys “practicing for the big games” on the kitchen table or floor.
To play Dreidel, each player begins with an equal number of game pieces (usually 10–15) of either chocolate coins, candies (we love Skittles and chocolate chips!), or pennies.
- To start the game, every participant puts one game piece into the center “pot”. Our pot is a wooden bowl made from an olive tree, to commemorate the oil in the Temple.
- Each player takes turns spinning the dreidel. Depending on which side is facing up when it stops spinning, the player whose turn it is gives or takes game pieces from the pot:
- If נ (nun) is facing up, the player does nothing.
- If ג (gimel) is facing up, the player gets everything in the pot.
- If ה (hei) is facing up, the player gets half of the pieces in the pot.
- If ש (shin) is facing up, the player adds one of their game pieces to the pot
- If the player is out of pieces, they are either “out” or may ask another player for a “loan”.
Celebrate Oil
To celebrate the miracle of the oil, it is a tradition to prepare and eat lots of fried food. Many families enjoy making their own jelly-filled donuts called sufganiyot, as well as latkes which are fried potato pancakes.
Jamie Geller’s “Sufganiyot in a Bag” is a fun and kid-friendly recipe that is my go-to every year!
Latke Recipe
My daughter helps me combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl, and then she sits on a counter on the other side of the kitchen while I fry the latkes. We typically chat and sing songs, which keeps her busy and away from the hot oil.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded potatoes, drained and squeezed of liquid
- ½ medium onion, grated
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup finely crushed cracker crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- Vegetable oil (enough to fill frying pan ¼ inch)
Combine all ingredients. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat for several minutes. Add latke mixture into the pan in ¼ cup increments with 1-2 inches in between. Tap and flatten lightly. Turn after bottoms turn med brown, approx 3-5 minutes on each side. Remove and rest over plate covered in paper towels. Serve with Sour Cream Dollop or Fast Fried Apples
Sour Cream Dollop
- 1 cup sour cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1-2 tbsp horseradish
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
- Pinch of salt
- Garnish of fresh cracked pepper on top
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until needed.
Fast Fried Apple (sauce)
- 2-4 apples, peeled, cored, diced
- 2-4 tbsp salted butter
- ¼-½ tsp cinnamon
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tbsp sugar
Melt butter in a small skillet or small saucepan over medium heat. Add apples, cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, and stir. Bring to a gentle bubbling simmer. Cover. Reduce to Medium-low for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Serve warm.
Celebrate by Giving
There are many opportunities this time of year to give in a way that enhances the lives of others. Schools, shelters, community centers, nursing homes, animal shelters, and more all tend to have wish lists you can view and contribute towards a cause special to you and your family.
Celebrate with Songs
“Oh Hanukkah”
Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let’s have a party
We’ll all dance the hora
Gather ’round the table
We’ll give you a treat
Sivivon to play with and latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
to remind us of days long ago.
“Maoz Tzur”
Maoz tzur yeshua-si
Lecha na-eh li-sha-beyach
Tikone bais ti-fee-lasi
Vi-sham todah ni-za-beyach.
Li-ase ta-chin mat-beyach
Mee-tzar ham-na-beyach
Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor
Chanukas ha-meez-beyach
Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor
Chanukas ha-meez-beyach.
“I Have A Little Dreidel”
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!
Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!
“Sivivon, Sov, Sov, Sov”
Sivivon, sov, sov, sov
Chanukah, hu chag tov
Chanukah, hu chag tov Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!
Chag simcha hu la-am
Nes gadol haya sham
Nes gadol haya sham
Chag simcha hu la-am.
“Ocho Kandelikas” (“Eight Little Candles” in Ladino)
Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi
Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi, oh
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Muchas fiestas vo fazer
Kon alegria i plazer
Muchas fiestas vo fazer
Kon alegria i plazer
Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel
Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel, oh
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi
“5 Little Latkes Sizzling in a Pan”
Five little latkes sizzling in the pan (wiggle 5 fingers)
One jumped out and said catch me if you can!
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
Now there are 4 little latkes.
4 little latkes sizzling in the pan (wiggle 4 fingers)
One jumped out and said catch me if you can!
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
Now there are 3 little latkes.
3 little latkes sizzling in the pan (wiggle 3 fingers)
One jumped out and said catch me if you can!
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
Now there are 2 little latkes.
2 little latkes sizzling in the pan (wiggle 2 fingers)
One jumped out and said catch me if you can!
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
Now there’s just 1 little latke.
1 little latke sizzling in the pan (bob 1 finger)
It jumped out and said catch me if you can!
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
…Now I have no latkes. Boo.
Celebrate Creativity
There are so many cool Hanukkah-themed activities on Pinterest, and people are always coming up with such cool things to do. For us, it’s making menorahs out of everyday things, like Legos or paper towel rolls. But I’d have to say that my favorite (revealing my true inner dork here) is plating the food to look like a menorah. Seriously! Google FOOD MENORAHS. They are fabulous and mine look nothing like them! Lasagna rolls, sushi rolls, pretzel sticks with marshmallow bases. It’s a festive culinary rabbit hole and I’m totally here for it.
Celebrate with Themed Nights
Hanukkah is beautiful and simple. In a world obsessed with accumulating “stuff,” all that Hanukkah has ever required has been the beautifully lit menorah, along with the tradition of dreidel and fried food. And while gift giving is fun, it need not be every night. There are many fun ways to add fun to your eight nights of celebration. Think of some things your family enjoys and go from there. This year, I’ve planned a different theme for each night. (Shhhh!!! Don’t tell my daughter!! She loves surprises!)
- Sock Night! Socks for Hanukkah might be the 4th unspoken treasured and time-honored tradition.
- Movie Night: cozied up with popcorn (popped in oil!)
- Mitzvah (Blessing) Night: Giving to a cause close to our hearts.
- Reading Night: Cozied up (again! I love a good snuggle!) with new books to read through the winter and to each other.
- Board Game Night: After we finish jelly donuts, of course.
- Puzzle Night: I was never really into puzzles, but my daughter is AMAZING at them, and it’s kinda growing on me.
- Spa Night: Hey, gonna need a little detox from all this oil…
- Arts and Crafts Night: Quality time making quality goods!
Celebrate with Your Community
Menorah Lightings in Indy
Join the Jewish Community to light the Menorah. Each evening’s Menorah lighting is held at the Max and Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus.
Latkes and Lights at Newfields
Join Newfields and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis for the Chanukah takeover of Winterlights.
5 pm on December 29
- See the windows of the Lilly House lit up with Menorahs and Stars of David and be dazzled by the Landscape of Light as it dances on the home’s front lawn.
- The 1.5 million lights of Winterlights will be enhanced with special food and beverage elements. Sample a one-of-a-kind Holiday tasting experience including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
- Advance tickets are required.
Hanukkah is a historical holiday that reminds us to never give up and to shine our light regardless of what we do or don’t have.
Learn more about our contributors’ holiday traditions: Jessica shares about Pascha in the Orthodox Church. Aishah offers ideas for celebrating Ramadan and Eid with kids.
