Hanukkah is a Jewish festival marking the rededication to Judaism and is celebrated with eight days of candles. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. In order to teach your kids about this glorious holiday on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, we have a few activities you can try!

Activities:

1. Divide a piece of paper into eight sections. In each section, paste a newspaper picture or word of something that tells about Hanukkah.

2. In your newspaper, circle words and pictures of items people could use for their Hanukkah celebrations.

3. Write a paragraph telling how your family’s holiday celebrations are like those of Hanukkah and how they are different.

4. How are these important to the people who follow the Jewish religion: (a) menorah, (b) yarmulke, (c) synagogue, and (d) gifts for children?

5. Use the Internet or interview someone who practices a religion different from Judaism to learn about that religion. Find out about an important historical event, special clothing, holidays and religious leaders.

This content was originally posted here.

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Star of David Craft

Make a beautiful Star of David Card. All you need are scissors, glue, and two different colors of construction paper.

1. The Star of David has six sides, so the first part of this project involves folding a piece of paper into sixths. To begin, fold the piece of paper in half, then fold over one side, then the other, to make two 60-degree folds. You can do this by eye, or you can use a protractor. This is a good exercise in geometry and measuring angles.

2. Cut off the middle part of the wedge (this will make a Star of David shape when you eventually unfold the paper). Cut different shapes away from the sides if you like.

3.  Unfold your star carefully. Glue the star onto a folded piece of construction paper for a great Hanukkah card.

Optional: Decorate your star with glitter.
 

Menorah

Why not make a menorah to bring some color to your Hanukkah-filled house?

1. All your kids need are a little imagination, an egg carton, scissors, and any of the following: construction paper, pipe cleaners, foam crafting material, and Popsicle craft sticks.

2. Cut egg carton in half (making sure to cut off the lid) so that you are left with a six-cup row.

3. Attach three extra cups (from the other half of carton) to the first six.

4. Turn egg cups upside down and cut a slip to fit whichever material you choose to create a “candle” (construction paper, pipe cleaners, foam crafting material, Popsicle craft stick).

Fun suggestion: Add one candle for each day of Hanukkah!

David Gift Box

This Star of David Gift Box can be used to hold a great present for your family!

1. Print this template here.

2. Decorate the box and cut it out. 

3. Fold all the interior lines of the box. Glue the one tab that is marked to glue, and attach it to the other end of the template, forming a box.

4. Fold over the tabs on each end and close the ends.

 Do you have any suggestions for Hanukkah activities?