Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that honors the triumph of faith over tyranny.
Although young children might be years away from fully grasping that concept, they’ll still enjoy a party that celebrates the sights, tastes and sounds of the holiday. Older kids will better understand Hanukkah’s significance, and enjoy a Hanukkah party just as much as the little ones do.
The History of Hanukkah
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in the Second Century BCE after the Jewish Maccabees defeated the Greek-Syrians, who had desecrated it.
The Maccabees were Jewish resistance fighters who set out to end the religious persecution people of their faith had endured. Although they were outnumbered, the Maccabees triumphed over the Greek-Syrian Army and drove them out of Judea.
As they reclaimed the Holy Temple, the Maccabees saw that there was only enough consecrated oil to burn the Temple’s eternal flame for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days —- which was the amount of time it took to prepare and consecrate more oil.
Hanukkah lasts eight days in recognition of how long the eternal flame burned on one day’s worth of oil.
The Menorah
Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights because burning candles to commemorate the miracle of the Temple’s flame is a central focus of the celebration.
Jewish families set out a nine-candle Menorah, or candelabra, and each night, a “servant candle” is lighted. The servant candle is used to light one candle on the first night of Hanukkah. On the second night, two candles are lighted with the servant, and then three on the third night, and so on, until all nine candles burn on the last night of Hanukkah. Special blessings are said before or after the lighting of the candles.
Kids love taking turns lighting the candles. Companies sell cloth and wooden toy versions of the menorah to help teach children about the holiday.
Children can make their own menorahs, too, either using tree branches, clay or even cupcakes.
A Hanukkah Party
A party can be held on any night during Hanukkah.
Decorate your home in blue and white, the colors of Hanukkah and of the Israeli flag.
Start by reciting the blessings and lighting the candles on the Menorah. Then, exchange small gifts, as is customary on each night of Hanukkah.
The gifts can be related to the holiday, such as books about it, or simply be toys or other items from each child’s wish list.
Traditional Hanukkah foods should be served, including potato latkes and jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot.
Lead the kids in Hanukkah activities, such as playing the dreidel game, making crafts or singing songs.
At the end of the party, send the children home with a favor, such as a dreidel made from cardstock with candy inside, a Hanukkah sticker book or a wooden tzedakah box.