Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-night celebration that comes in late fall or early winter. In 2026, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends on Saturday, December 12. Many young children have seen a menorah glowing in a window or heard of a dreidel, and they are curious about what it all means.

This guide gives you simple facts about Hanukkah for kids, plus gentle, respectful ways to bring the holiday into a PreK–2 classroom, whether or not your students celebrate it at home.

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight nights and eight days. The word Hanukkah means “dedication.” Families light candles each night, share special foods, play games and spend time together.

For young children, you can explain it this way:

  • Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is more than 2,000 years old.
  • It lasts for eight nights.
  • Each night, families light one more candle than the night before.
  • It is often called the Festival of Lights.

The Hanukkah Story in Simple Words

Long ago, in the land of Israel, a king tried to stop the Jewish people from practicing their religion. A small group called the Maccabees stood up to him. After a long struggle, they took back their holy Temple in Jerusalem and cleaned it so it could be used again. That is why the holiday is called “dedication.”

The Temple had a special lamp, a menorah, that was meant to stay lit. According to tradition, there was only enough oil to keep it burning for one day, but the light lasted for eight days. Today, the eight nights of Hanukkah remember that light.

With little ones, keep the story short and focus on the big ideas: standing up for what you believe, caring for a special place, and light shining in the dark.

Facts About Hanukkah for Kids

Here are kid-friendly facts you can share during circle time:

  • The menorah: A Hanukkah menorah (also called a hanukkiah) holds nine candles: one for each of the eight nights, plus a helper candle called the shamash, which is used to light the others.
  • One more each night: On the first night, families light one candle and the shamash. By the eighth night, all eight candles are glowing.
  • The window: Many families place their menorah near a window so the light can be seen from outside.
  • The dreidel: A dreidel is a spinning top with four sides. Each side has a Hebrew letter, and together the letters stand for the words “A great miracle happened there.”
  • Gelt: Children often play the dreidel game with chocolate coins called gelt.
  • Foods fried in oil: Because the story is about oil, families often eat latkes (crispy potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).

How to Teach Hanukkah Respectfully

Hanukkah is a joyful holiday, and a few simple habits keep your lessons thoughtful:

  • Learn about it. Frame lessons as “how many Jewish families celebrate,” especially if your class has a mix of backgrounds.
  • It is its own holiday. Hanukkah comes in the same season as other winter holidays, but it has its own history and traditions.
  • Invite families to share. A Jewish family in your class may be glad to read a story, show their menorah or bring latkes, but let them choose.
  • Use the real words. Teach menorah, shamash, dreidel, latkes and gelt. Children love learning the real names of things.

Simple Hanukkah Activities for PreK–2

Counting the Candles (Math)

Draw a menorah on chart paper with nine candle spots. Each day, add one paper flame and ask: “How many candles tonight? How many will there be tomorrow?” It is a natural way to practice counting on and the idea of one more. Older students can write the number sentence each day (1 + 1 = 2, 2 + 1 = 3).

The Dreidel Game (Math and Turn-Taking)

Play with counters, buttons or paper coins. Everyone starts with the same number of counters and puts one in the middle. Then each player spins:

  • Nun: nothing happens.
  • Gimel: take everything in the middle.
  • Hey: take half.
  • Shin: add one counter to the middle.

Children practice counting, sharing, halving and good sportsmanship.

Paper Menorah Craft (Fine Motor)

Children glue nine paper strips onto a paper base: four on each side and a taller one in the middle for the shamash. Then they add a yellow paper flame to each candle and count them. Keep it to paper flames only, never real candles in the classroom.

Hanukkah Word Search and Bingo

Make a Hanukkah word search in seconds with our free word search maker, using words like menorah, dreidel, candle, latkes, gelt and light. For a whole-class game, print vocabulary cards with the bingo card maker.

Light and Shadow (Science)

Connect the Festival of Lights to real light. Dim the room, shine a flashlight and let children make shadows with their hands. Talk about how candles and lamps help people see during long winter evenings.

A Classroom Where Every Celebration Belongs

December is full of celebrations, from Hanukkah and St. Lucia Day to Las Posadas, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Learning about them helps every child feel seen. For ideas that build a caring class community all year, see our classroom community activities, and find more holiday ideas in our seasonal activities.