Celebrate Chanukah with children

With the Internet, one has access to all sorts of creative ideas depending on the ages of those celebrating. Check it out to keep your children busy with Chanukah activities before and during the holiday. 

I often had one night or afternoon where I invited families to celebrate together with my family. I let them know that it is not a gift-giving time. To make it easy with working mothers, we make it a potluck and had a menu that people can indicate what dish they would like to contribute.

A typical menu would include Latkas,(potato pancakes). Depending on the size of the crowd, a few people could bring them. Toppings for the Latkas of apple sauce, (homemade if possible) sour cream and maybe a strawberry jam. Tuna fish salad which can be molded into a fish-shaped mold covered with cucumber slices like scales and an olive eye; a Challah; a fresh green salad and dressing; grape juice, wine and Sufganiot (doughnuts filled with jam) for dessert and Chanukah star sugar cookies decorated with frostings in blue and white with all sorts of sprinkles and toppings.

The children made Chanukah themed place cards, menorahs of cardboard backing with popsicle sticks, candles numbered with the nine candles that can be glued on as each day passes and one for the Shamash (the candle used to light the others). I found a cloth chanukiah (the candle holder) that had cloth candles of different colors with flames of yellow that could be added with Velcro as the days happened.

The younger children could do that and the older children could light the candles and say the blessings. There was also time to play dreidel using different types of nuts with shells for different values or chocolate-covered coins in gold and silver.

We had a children’s story book that was read that reminded every one of the rules. Days before the start of the holiday, the children could make dreidels of self-hardening clay and use a toothpick to write the numbers. We always told the story of the Maccabees and the battle. We found a coloring book that was 2x3 feet with pictures of the story that the children could read. Just the size of the book was exciting to them. We printed out copies of typical Chanukah songs and the blessings that were passed out among the guests and if we were lucky, we would encourage one of the kids to play the piano for a sing along. These days there is no lack of decorations and paper goods to go along with the party theme. With a little planning it was a wonderful time of togetherness. Make your own family traditions and enjoy the holidays.