Hanukkah For Kids

In 2009 Hanukkah will begin on 11th December.

Editor's note (10th December 2009): I have just been informed that some of our Hanukkah colouring pages and printables are incorrect and/or inappropriate. I apologise for any disappointment or offence that this might have caused, and assure you that we will be correcting our mistakes as soon as possible.

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.

Spinning the dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah symbol

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..

Hanukkah Coloring Pages

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

Hanukkah Crafts Lots NEW!
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

We've got all sorts of Hanukkah printables, including acrostic poem printables, writing prompts, writing paper and notebooking paper, a printable dreidel to assemble, mini-booklets and more...
Hanukkah Printables

Hanukkah Puzzles

Something to keep the kids busy ...
Hanukkah Puzzles

Hanukkah Jigsaws

Play these fun online jigsaw puzzles, or save them to your computer for later.
Hanukkah Jigsaws

More Hanukkah Activities

The best kids' Hanukkah activities that we can find on the net...
Hanukkah Links Lots NEW!

Back to Holidays for Kids

	Don't miss...
	Winter Olympics
	Chinese New Year
	Valentine's Day
	Mardi Gras
	Pancake Day
	President's Day
	St David's Day
	Mother's Day (UK)
	St Patrick's Day
	Easter
	New Year Doodle Fun

27 printable pages of creative fun for kids!
Easter Doodle Fun NEW Publication!

120 Sudoku Puzzles
designed just for kids!
Download and
print now!

Encourage children to look back at the past year and forward to the next with our newest Doodle Fun book.
New Year Doodle Fun - Creative Coloring And Goal Setting For Kids!

Kids Get Better At Math!

A Small Publishing Website   Advertise   Contact Us    Privacy Policy  About Us   Disclaimer   Sudoku for Kids

These pages are property of Activity Village and are for personal, classroom and library use only