Hanukkah Party Activities: Fun Ideas For Kids, Families, And Classrooms

If you’re looking for some fun Hanukkah party activities, this list will see you through it! This post contains affiliate links.

The highlight of every Chanukah party in our house is the kids’ craft or activity table. We always have something fun to do to keep the kids happy, away from lit Menorahs, and not just eating junk.

Hanukkah party activities can also serve as bonding experiences when people don’t know each other so well. Instead of just milling around, it provides a conversation starter. And yes, these Hanukkah party activities are great for adult parties too. In-fact, the icebreaker element is stronger at adult parties!

And a final note: craft activities done at parties can double as a fun take-home activity too.

Different types of parties and choosing activities

A Chanukah party can be so many different things – and so while I categorized the ideas below by activity type, I figured I’d also share some pointers for how to choose, which categories to look at based on who’s attending.

The small, intimate family party

For smaller family parties, gift-giving games can be a hit – especially if you’re not the type of family where everyone is exchanging gifts anyway.

You can also do slightly more involved crafts that require supervision or instruction. Choose ones that are good for multiple age groups and have parents help. Dry time shouldn’t be a big issue if all family is local – it can stay at the host’s house until pickup time. If family traveled in, look for crafts that dry within an hour, and close down the activity early enough for things to dry.

For very small families, Hanukkah-themed (or not!) board games can really be a win.

The “friends and family” party where not everyone knows each other

For parties where not necessarily does everyone know each other, activities serve as ice-breakers too. Avoid games (like those gift-giving ones I mentioned above) where knowing each other is more necessary. Stick to open-ended crafts that can be put out and enjoyed without much instruction.

Things like decorating crafts that don’t require assembly – you’re just decorating an item – work best. Opt for those with minimal dry time so that they can be brought home the same day. We also like non-craft activities like coloring pages, activity sheets, sensory bins, etc for this type of event.

The large extended family party

When the crowd is very big, the activity needs to be staggered and very simple. Each family member can contribute for a larger activity (I have one super cool idea that our extended family has been doing below) or keep it to a simple puzzle that people can do individually.

Another idea is once again to have a very simple no-explanation-needed tabletop decorating activity. Avoid food for this (it’ll make such a mess and get chaotic fast) but coloring, decorate-your-owns, etc work well for this. Printables work well here too as they are super cheap and self-explanatory.

If doing a craft, make sure there’s no dry time at all – parents should be able to tuck it right into their bags to take home.

The classroom party

Classroom parties can be hyper-targeted towards the age group you’re working with. That means you can do much cooler things as it’s a naturally calm setting, where oversight is the norm.

Dry time won’t be an issue with crafts done in the classroom – that’s the norm.

The shul or school-wide party

When working with a very large group with various ages, activities that work best are passive entertainers – like magicians, game shows, or similar receptive activities. If you want something the kids (or adults) can actually do, follow the model of the large family.

For schools, if it’s for students only (and not families), you’ll want something kids can do totally independently, with a staff member or two there for oversight. If you want to do something more involved, you’ll need a few helpers and to do it in batches.

Since shul parties are usually family parties, you can work with things that parents can oversee for their own kids, just avoid crafts that require dry time if you can.

An Adults-only (work, shul, etc) party

Here’s where I highly recommend that you work with the workshop model. You can do a real cool take-home project that teaches a DIY skill.

You can also do gifting games in this setting but a workshop is really a cool thing to have.

The Big List of 32 Hanukkah Party Activities

Ready for some actual ideas? Choose the ones that work best for the crowd that you’re hosting! Some of these are ideas I’ve shared in this space, some are fresh ones, and some are more generic or third-party ideas. For those that I have a more involved tutorial, I’ll share a link with more info.

Kids Crafts and Craftivities

Crafts and craft-type activities are always a win with kids. I try to have a craft table at any get-together with kids, but for a Chanukah party, let’s give it a Chanukah theme!

Tip: cover your craft table with a colorable tablecloth! We do this most years and the kids ask about it year after year.

Low-Supervision Crafts for Kids

These are crafts that can be set up for kids to do. Some require more supervision than others – especially for the toddler and preschool age, but all can be supervised by a parent. None of these need any real instruction.

Hint: for items that require dry time, choose fast-dry supplies. Tempera paint sticks are my go-to for younger kids, and paint markers are great for kids who are old enough for it. Both dry in minutes.

Color and craft projects are really fun for this category – bonus points if they can be pre-cut to avoid mess.

Decorate Dreidels – simply decorating wooden dreidels is a fun on-theme project with a take-home end product.
Clothespin Menorahs – this color & craft project is fun for toddlers and preschoolers. Provide cut out, ready-to-go elements (base, clothespins with candles attached) and coloring supplies.
Hanukkah suncatchers – While this does require some prep-work, it’s a really fun one for any age group. Just cut the black cardstock frames, attach them to clear contact paper, and have kids toddler and up tack on tissue paper squares.
Hanukkah puppets – Another fun color & craft project! When I do stick puppet crafts at parties, I always prep the craft sticks with some double-sided tapes/glue lines with backing. That way, when the puppet is colored, the stick is self-adhesive and ready to tack on.
Black glue watercolor painting – you’ll need to prep it, but once you do, all you need is watercolors for everyone to make artwork they’re proud of! Watercolors are washable and dry relatively quickly so they’re party-friendly if you can allow for some dry time.
Dreidel making STEM challenge – this is a really fun any-age activity where you set out supplies and challenge kids to make their own dreidels that are playable! It’s super creative and great for a school setting.
Dreidel lacing craft – I provide the template and you can do dreidel lacing two ways: either as flat lacing cards, or as a felt plushie.

Coloring Pages

While coloring pages don’t make for high profile Hanukkah party activities, they are one of the easiest things you can set out, especially in mixed adult/kid gatherings, just so that there’s something to do.

In years where I had low energy, low patience, or just didn’t get to it, I still set out a pile of coloring pages and art supplies.

Dreidel coloring page – a really pretty adult coloring page that’s fun for big kids too
Hanukkah coloring pages for Kids
Hanukkah coloring pages for adults (great for kids7+)
Dreidel Game Rules Coloring Page – This any-age coloring page features a fun poem with the dreidel rules. Put it alongside dreidels and coins for a 2-in-1 activity.

My nieces made a gallery wall of these – here’s one!

Printable Activity Pages

Activity or “fun” pages are grea tfor kids who might not strictly enjoy coloring but will enjoy pen-to-paper activities. They are low key and easy to set up – some are even easier than coloring pages!

Hanukkah Mazes – I designed these with my son in mind and they are a classic fun activity.
Hanukkah Dot to Dot – my son had also been asking for dot to dots so I created this set as well. Kids can color them in when they’re done the drawing.
Hanukkah Do a Dot – Bingo markers are always a hit, but you can also do this super fun activity with dot stickers! These are ideal for toddler, preschool, and maybe early elementary aged kids.

Family Games

When you get together with family, games are often a hit! These require more face to face interaction than craft tables so go ahead and give them a shot. Some are only for smaller crowds, some can work for bigger crowds.

Just as an FYI: “Jewish” versions of games should always be vetted in advance of giving it to kids – sometimes there are some cards that are a bit off, you may want to remove.

White Elephant – this is a popular gift exchange game. Full rules here, but in a nutshell: Everyone brings a wrapped gift within a budget (you can choose a theme too.) It’s placed in the center. First player chooses a gift, unwraps it. Next player can choose a new gift or steal a previous one (and then the one who it’s stolen from chooses or steals again.) Find some favorite white elephant gift ideas here.
Dreidel Game – Of course you can simply put out supplies to play some rounds of dreidel! Bonus points if you play with something real that the can take home. Pennies are a bit obscure right now, but you can do nickels, chocolate coins, jelly beans…
Dreidel Roulette – a twist on the dreidel game where you need to knock the balls into the slots.
Hanukkah Mad Libs – classic mad libs but in a Hanukkah theme! This top-rated game comes with 21 pages that can be done as teams or individually.
Hanukkah would you rather – Would you rather always makes for some fun and hilarious conversation, and this one is in a Hanukkah theme.

Guided Craft Workshops

Craft workshops have their time and place – especially in an adult setting, or with older kids. For a more structured party format with a timeline, a craft workshop offers not only a cool way to fill the time – but an incredible take-home project. These tend to lean pricier (but these types of parties are also often fundraising events with a fee). Here are some favorite guided workshops to do at a party for ages tween through adult.

Most (but not all) of these require finishing and/or dry time rather than immediate take-home.

Resin Menorah Trays – resin is a popular workshop type, just make sure you have the proper protective gear for each participant, as well as good ventilation. Menorah trays are a fun spin on Chanukah crafts – they’re so popular but you don’t see them a lot! I put Chanukah candles in mine.
Mosaic Menorah Trays – if you don’t have the ability to work with resin, these mosaic trays are even cooler! I made mine on a sheet pan base!
Clay dreidel making – Go with the popular song, and make dreidels out of polymer clay!
Clay Menorah making – This craft is one of my most popular Chanukah crafts and it’s a classic. Always use non-flammable materials when making Menorahs.
Hanukkah stained glass – a classic that can be done on cheap frames. You an provide a few templates and work with Gallery Glass supplies for easy results.
Easy Hanukkah Pillow Craft – perfect for tweens, this classic summer camp craft spinoff requires no sewing and can be taken home the same day.
Beaded star of David – as trivets or as pendants. This easy beading tutorial requires no dry time at all.
Clay star of David – Use air dry clay or polymer but the air dry clay does do best with an after-it’s-dry layer of paint.
Hanukkah candle making – and finally, grab a candle making kit and craft some candles! Allow participants to make 9 candles for a full menorah rather than the 44 required for the full Hanukkah.

More fun Hanukkah Party Activities

Looking for even more ideas? Try these!

Carnival – my mother’s parents hold a party every year for the very large extended family, including lots of kids. Last year, we did a mini carnival at the party (usually held in a synagogue or school lunch room, with plenty of space).
Each set of siblings takes on a booth and man it. Kids can swap off with sibling so that they get to play too.
Tickets are provided by the grandparents, and prizes are provided by families (mainly things like closed toys they don’t really need, regifted duplicates, or even good condition pass-ons of toys they really love, depending on the family vibe. You can also ask each family to contribute an actual purchased toy with a budget. It’s a bit hit – and something we’re repeating because the kids loved it.
Scavenger hunts – I’m not a pro at this, but it’s always a fun idea! Make it Chanukah-themed of course.
Donut Decorating – The easiest way to do this is to go to your local bakery and ask for unfrosted donuts. Provide 2-3 “flavors” or colors of frosting and some sprinkles (themed or not). Bonus points for mini chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, and other toppings. Kids hardly finish it before they eat it!
Hanukkah Sensory Bin – this was possibly our most successful Hanukkah activity ever, but there is a germ factor to consider.
Cookie or Cupcake decorating – at last year’s party, my sister-in-law got some simple Hanukkah cookie decorating kits and the kids went to town with it. You can DIY this by baking cookies using Chanukah shaped cookie cutters and putting out prepared icing in piping bags, and of course loads of toppings.

Got any favorite Hanukkah party activities to add to the list? Comment below!

Hanukkah Party Activities: Fun Ideas For Kids, Families, And Classrooms