Hanukkah For Kids

In 2009 Hanukkah will begin on 11th December.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights and lasts eight days. It usually falls in late November or December.

Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the Miracle of the Oil. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication". Over 2000 years ago, in 165 BC, the Jews in Judea rebelled against their Syrian ruler, Antiochus, because he insisted that all Jewish people must worship Greek Gods. After three hard years of fighting, the Jews defeated Antiochus and, to celebrate, they restored the Temple of Jerusalem - which had been taken over by the Syrians - and rededicated it to their God.

As part of the celebrations they lit an oil lamp which should have been kept burning all the time, even though they could only find enough oil to keep it burning for one night. But a miracle occurred, and the oil lamp stayed lit for eight days, which was the time it took to make new oil for the lamp. This  was the Miracle of the Oil. 

It was then declared that every year, Jews would remember the day with an eight-day Festival of Lights and celebrate the miracle of the oil by placing eight candles in a Menorah (a special candlestick) and lighting one candle for each evening of the celebration. Electric lights are sometimes used, especially where where an open flame might be dangerous, such as a hospital room. The Hanukkah lights are meant to remind those walking by the home about the holiday’s miracle, so the Menorah is displayed at a prominent window or near the front door.

During Hanukkah, people exchange gifts and give to the poor and needy.

Hanukkah for Kids at Activity Village

Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah as a family, or learning about Hanukkah, we hope that you will find some of our Hanukkah crafts, printables and puzzles fun! Explore the links below..


We have three really gorgeous new Hanukkah coloring pages this year...
Hanukkah Coloring Pages Lots NEW!

Hanukkah Cards to Print and Color Lots NEW!

Hanukkah Crafts
We have a growing collection of fun Hanukkah crafts, including some Menorah crafts, a dreidel to print, decorate and play with, a Star of David craft, and some potato printing ideas and handprint painting ideas!

Make an origami candle - or 9!
Origami candle and candleholder

Try making a dreidel (add an initial or the traditional characters), a menorah, or a Star of David!
Hanukkah Fuse Bead Patterns

Hanukkah Printables

Hanukkah Puzzles

Hanukkah Jigsaws

Hanukkah Links

Back to Holidays for Kids

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	Thanksgiving
	St Andrew's Day
	Advent
	Hanukkah
	Christmas
	Kwanzaa
	Winter
	Shidonni

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