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Happy Hanukkah
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is Dec. 7–15 this year, and that means eight beautiful nights celebrating the miracle of the Maccabees, lighting the menorah and, well, figuring out what to do to build your family’s own special traditions.
If it feels like Hanukkah snuck right up on you, or you’re trying out leading a night of celebrating on your own for the first time, this holiday “cheat sheet” supplies parents and kids with a storybook to read each night of Hanukkah, a gift idea to make or exchange, a recipe to cook together and more. You’ll also find a virtual “Get Togethers” section to help you share the holiday from afar.
Scroll through the arrows above the image or the links below to find books, gifts, recipes and family activities to make this Hanukkah special.
Up first: Books
- PJ Library offers families a wealth of information about Hanukkah, including cultural information, recommended books, crafts and recipes, plus podcasts that tell the Hanukkah story in a kid-friendly way. Visit the Hanukkah Hub to access everything you need to make this year’s holiday special.
Books
There are so many wonderful Hanukkah picture books to choose from! You can view all of the PJ Library Hanukkah selections in the books section of PJ Library’s website. Here are eight stories that work well for mixed-age groups that your family will enjoy reading again and again.
- “Hanukkah Hamster” by Michelle Markel
- “Hanukkah Cookies With Sprinkles” by David Adler
- “Eight Winter Nights” by Laura Melmed
- “Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas” by Pamela Ehrenberg
- “Hanukkah Moon” by Deborah DaCosta
- “A Hanukkah With Mazel” by Joel Stein
- “Meet the Latkes” by Alan Silberberg
- “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” by Eric Kimmel
Up next: Gifts
Gifts
Support a local business, buy handmade items, or contribute your time and energy to a local nonprofit.
A tzedakah box
In addition to your PJ Library tzedakah box, you can also decorate a custom tzedakah box as a family or purchase a special keepsake box from a local maker or artist. Dedicate the new box to a cause near and dear to your child’s heart and save up for a full year.
Games and puzzles
Buy (or borrow) something that you can enjoy together as a family. Or create your own games using the PJ Library Story Cubes.
Up next: Recipes
Recipes
One Hanukkah tradition that’s easy to embrace is eating foods fried in oil to pay homage to the miracle of the oil in the original Hanukkah story. The recipes below are fun to make with your family, easy to prep and put new spins on holiday classics. Some are healthy and some are a little extra-indulgent — try a new one each night of Hanukkah.
- Easy Chicken Stir Fry
- Hidden Veggie Latkes
- Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks
- Nutella Pocket
- Stained Glass Cookies
- Sufganiyot Donut Holes
- Unfried Chicken Fingers
- Veggie Fried Rice
Up next: Family activities
Family activities
Here are eight easy-to-prep and fun activities to try each night of Hanukkah:
- Upcycle crayons into candles
- Share the light with charitable goodie bags
- Build a glowing pathway
- Make an oil menorah
- Go stargazing
- Turn aluminum foil into menorah art
- Make salt-dough candleholders
- Unplug for the night
This article was originally published on PJ Library in 2021 and republished here with permission.
