Hanukkah Worksheets

You will find an excellent assortment of printables for the Christmas season. We feature a very diverse range of worksheets and printables. Also see our Hanukkah Lesson Plans and a full line of Hanukkah Teacher Resources.

Hanukkah Songs

Hanukkah Writing Paper

Fun Things to Do in Class to Acknowledge Hanukkah

Whenever the winter or the holiday season is here, people from the Jewish religion will celebrate Hanukkah or the festival of lights, as it is commonly known in Judaism.

Children need to learn about and celebrate different religions and their traditions because that is how they understand the importance of diversity, and they start becoming more accepting of religious differences.

It is usually towards the end of November and towards early December when schoolteachers can take time out and celebrate Hanukkah. This is a great opportunity to teach those who are not aware of it the reasons for why it is celebrated.

The dates Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah change every year. This year, the festival will commence on 18th December and end on 26th December.

Check out this fun list of activities you can conduct in your classroom to acknowledge Hanukkah.

1. Jewish Guest Speaker

Although this may not serve the purpose of an activity, this will definitely help the students in your class acknowledge the day. If it is possible, invite a Jewish speaker to your class to discuss the importance of Hanukkah. This speaker will talk to the class about what a typical celebration day is like at a Jewish house during Hanukkah.

Here children will also have the opportunity to ask any questions they might have about the festival. If there are any Jewish students in your class, it will also help their religious beliefs be validated and encourage openness to diversity.

2. Reading for Hanukkah

There is a wide range of books available on Hanukkah and for all age ranges. Books are not only a great way to introduce kids to the holidays but get their interests developed in the stories of Hanukkah. Encourage reading and enlightening students on the festival of Lights in your classroom.

Either read the entire book together, or you can have every student read different parts of the book or other pages. Hanukkah Bear, Little Red Ruthie, and Clifford Celebrate Hanukkah are just a few of the many incredible reads.

3. Writing Stories

A crucial part of the story of Hanukkah is how the supply of oil that was expected to last for a single day kept a light burning for eight days. The story is symbolic, therefore ask your students to write a story inspired by the miracle of Hanukkah, reflecting on the time they lost hope but managed to persevere for longer than they expected.

4. A Gift for Each Day

The light burning for eight days was a gift and a miracle in itself. Encourage your students to take inspiration from the oil that kept the light burning for 8 days. Ask your students to write letters and cards as a gift for someone close to them, every day for 8 days.

This Hanukkah-inspired activity will help students understand the importance of meaningful gifts rather than those that cost a lot of money. Help your students list people they want to send these gifts to.

5. Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt

How teachers acknowledge festivals in classrooms can be different. One way is to plan a Hanukkah-themed scavenger hunt. To do this, all you have to do is hide some Hanukkah related items in various places in your classroom. Write down fun, informative questions about Hanukkah. Each time students provide a correct answer, the location for one of the hidden items is revealed to them. Items could include chocolate gelt, a dreidel, or a plate of latke, among other Hanukkah-related things.

6. The Maccabees vs the Seleucid Empire

Although Hanukkah in Judaism is not a relatively big holiday, it is still celebrated widely. The common knowledge about the holiday is the miracle of the oil that lasted eight whole days. But essentially, Jewish people celebrate the holiday to celebrate the rebellion of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish people against the Seleucids. The Maccabees refused to worship the Greek gods of Seleucid.

You can use this story to carry on friendly games between students in groups or individual students. Between the students, let one side by the Maccabees and the other Seleucid. Games can include chess, monopoly, or any other friendly match.

7. Hanukkah Treats

Children love anything sweet, so to celebrate and acknowledge Hanukkah, bring dreidel-shaped brownies or cookies and colored frosting that your students can use to decorate their own sweet treats.

8. Marshmallow Dreidels

This is a spin on (pun intended) the dreidels. Help your students create edible dreidels. This salty-sweet chocolate treat will surely become a student favorite.

All you need are marshmallows, stick pretzels, chocolate candy kisses, and chocolate spread for this fun activity that will help students acknowledge Hanukkah and this fun traditional children's game.

To make these, simply press the pretzel into the flat side of the marshmallow. Attach the kiss candy to the bottom of the marshmallow with the chocolate spread.

9. Hanukkah Charades

A fun game of charades is an all-around classic. For your students, give this game a Hanukkah twist. Pick specific themes or bits from the story of Hanukkah and have your students act them out. Charades is a game for all ages, but for your students, keep it simple, fun, and impactful.

10. Make a Tzedakah Box

Tell your students that a shared tradition of Hanukkah is to collect coins and money that goes into a special box called the Tzedakah box. These boxes will be given to someone or a family or organization that is in need of money. This will teach children a valuable lesson about sharing with people and being selfless when it comes to helping people. Each student will receive a small box with a removable lid. The students can paint their boxes and decorate them however they want.

11. Hanukkah Quiz

Create a fun quiz for your students, asking them all the basic questions about Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil. Carry this quiz out after all other Hanukkah activities have taken place to test how well the students have understood the festival. At the end of this quiz, give a nice prize to the winner.