Discover a Jewish tradition
🕎 Hanukkah for kids
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival remembering the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jewish tradition tells of a small supply of pure oil lasting for eight days. Each evening brings another light in the hanukkiah.
A hanukkiah has eight places for the festival lights and a separate helper light called the shamash. It differs from the seven-branched menorah associated with the Temple. An adult should handle lighting and keep children at a safe distance.
Families may play dreidel, sing and enjoy foods cooked in oil, such as latkes or jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot. Choose a picture, count its candle holders and talk about a way to bring kindness into someone else's day.
Dates for 2026 and 2027
2026
Begins: Fri, December 4, 2026 at sunset
Ends: Sat, December 12, 2026 at nightfall
2027
Begins: Fri, December 24, 2027 at sunset
Ends: Sat, January 1, 2028 at nightfall
Dates begin on the preceding evening. Candle lighting is before sunset when welcoming Shabbat; exact local times require a location. These dates are not candle-lighting times.
Calendar reference: Hebcal holiday calendar. Dates are calculated with the site's Hebrew calendar conversion.
Hanukkah guides for families
🎲 How to play dreidel
The four letters, the simple rules and a dreidel you can spin on screen.
Read more →🕎 Candle lighting and blessings
The three blessings in Hebrew, transliteration and English, and how many candles to light each night.
Read more →✨ Hanukkah activities for kids
Twelve easy ideas for the eight nights, with printables and games.
Read more →A blessing to learn together
Lighting the Hanukkah lights
This is the first candle-lighting blessing. Other blessings are also said; Shehecheyanu is normally added on the first night. An adult handles the lighting.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה.
Transliteration
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetsivanu lehadlik ner Hanukkah.
Meaning in English
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to light a Hanukkah lamp.
Traditional Hebrew wording reused from the site's blessing collection; English translation written for this page. This is a learning excerpt, not a complete service. The Hebrew spelling ה׳ stands for the divine name; follow your teacher's practice when learning aloud.
Hanukkah coloring pages
A Hanukkah menorah (hanukkiah)
Open and print →A holiday spinning top
Open and print →Hanukkah jelly doughnuts
Open and print →A small jug of oil
Open and print →Eight festival candles
Open and print →Happy Hanukkah in Hebrew
Open and print →
Smiling jelly doughnut
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Doughnut on a plate
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Doughnuts and a glass of milk
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A child holding a doughnut
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A tray full of doughnuts
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A baker dusting a doughnut
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Children building a giant doughnut
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Filling doughnuts at the bakery
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A doughnut gift box
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A large dreidel to decorate
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A smiling spinning dreidel
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Dreidels and coins
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Dreidel, doughnut and candle
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Children playing dreidel
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Four dreidels with Hebrew letters
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A girl painting a giant dreidel
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Dreidels in a box
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A dancing dreidel on stage
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Nine candles in a hanukkiah
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Hanukkiah with dreidel and doughnuts
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A child lighting a hanukkiah
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A hanukkiah in the window
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A family singing by the hanukkiah
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Oil lamps, jugs and an olive branch
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A flower-shaped hanukkiah
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Children making a clay hanukkiah
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A Maccabee with a shield
Open and print →Match the holiday words
Learn four words in English and Hebrew. Point to each pair together before trying the mixed-up version. The second printed page is an answer key.
candle — נר
oil — שמן
dreidel — סביבון
light — אור
Frequently asked questions
Why do some dreidels have a different last letter?
A dreidel made for Israel often has pe, for here. Many dreidels used abroad have shin, for there. Both refer to the traditional phrase about a great miracle.
Can I print the Hanukkah activities?
Yes. The word match includes a separate answer page, and each coloring drawing has its own print or PDF button. Prepare materials in advance if your family avoids writing or printing on the holiday.
Why do some dates differ between Israel and abroad?
Some festivals have an additional day in many communities outside Israel. Use the calendar selector and follow your local community calendar.
Explore more: All Jewish holidays, and Learn Hebrew letters.