Hanukkah, the eight-day “festival of lights” celebrated by Jewish people around the world, commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This year the first night of Hanukkah is on Thursday, December 7th.
Over the centuries, Hanukkah has taken on different meanings for those who light their lamps each year, adapting traditions for each time and place. A joyous occasion, underscoring spiritual resiliency and freedom of religion, it is now celebrated with family gatherings and gift giving, traditional foods, prayer and by lighting the menorah – which symbolizes the miraculous 8 days the temple lanterns stayed lit in Jerusalem.
To learn all about Hanukkah and enjoy the holiday fun, check out the family-friendly videos, activities, books, and delicious recipes below!
Learn About the Holiday
Eight Days of Hanukkah | Peg + Cat
Grades PreK-K
Albert Einstein has invited Peg, Cat and their friends to celebrate Hanukkah! Learn more about this special winter holiday with a sing-a-long.
Dreidel: Talking About Curiosity | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Grades PreK-2
In this video from Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, Yadina and Xavier ask Brad about his Hanukkah traditions even when they are nervous about not knowing. With a little help from Berby, we revisit Frederick Douglass who shows us that wanting to learn more about something or someone is what curiosity is all about!
Celebrating Hanukkah Traditions | Colorado Voices
Grades 3-12
Daniel Seigel with Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center in Denver speaks about the way Jewish Americans celebrate Hanukkah.
Menorah maker Susan Garson | Craft in America
Grades 6-12
Ceramic artist Susan Garson utilizes hand building along with her skills as a painter to create functional objects in clay. Garson demonstrates how to build your own menorah to celebrate the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. This video segment is from the HOLIDAY episode of Craft in America.
Activities, Books and Recipes
Spin a Bottle Cap Dreidel
Grades PreK-3
Here’s a Hanukkah craft that’s also a Hanukkah game! Spinning tops are a traditional Hanukkah toy, so what better activity to engage the kids this year than with a simple technique for making their own brigade of spinning tops? These tops spin so amazingly well and only use a few materials to make that last forever!
10 Books That Celebrate Hanukkah
Grades PreK-3
From Maccabees to latkes to menorahs, help your child learn about Hanukkah and get in the holiday spirit by reading some of these family-friendly books.
DIY Menorah Craft Using Cardboard
Grades PreK-3
Celebrate Hanukkah with this cute DIY craft. You can make this menorah from toilet paper rolls and give it to your child to decorate, or you can just enjoy the menorah as is!
Hanukkah Recipes: Latkes, Brisket, and Jewish Desserts
All Ages
Need a new recipe for Hanukkah? How about some latkes? Check out these featured Hanukkah recipes. Whatever you are looking for, PBS Food has delicious recipes for the festival of lights.
Edible Marshmallow Dreidels
All Ages
And for dessert, you can’t lose with these edible marshmallow dreidels! Happy Hanukkah!