Check out this collection of themed Hanukkah toys, crafts and children’s menorahs. It includes toy and real menorahs, dreidels, crafts, puzzles, and games for kids of all ages.
When I was a little girl, Hanukkah was one of my favorite holidays. It is festive, fun, and we got presents. Actually, back when I was a girl, it was not Hanukkah toys, but rather Hanukkah gelt – small chocolates in the shape of coins, along with a few token coins of actual money.
Today, other December holidays dominate the shopping season. As a result, Hanukkah gift-giving grew. However, in reality, the only relationship between Hanukkah and Christmas is the time of year.
While gift-giving today runs the full gamut, with some families keeping up with their Christmas-celebrating neighbors, in our family, we stick to a simpler environment.
We have found Hanukkah toys, those that represent the holiday or tell the story in some way, to be great gifts for younger children, while Hanukkah crafts and menorahs are great for older children.
As adults, we celebrate the holiday by reciting prayers, lighting candles, and doing no work while they burn.
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Why include a Children’s Menorah on the gift list
The wonderment of Hanukkah shines through the eyes of the young as the candles light, the dreidels spin, and the chocolate coins are shared. A children’s menorah gives a sense of participation and is the perfect gift. Whether it’s for lighting the candles, or a toy, early involvement helps develop lifelong rituals.
When I was a little girl, we just had two menorahs. One was the traditional family menorah, and then all the kids shared another. It was ultimately passed down to my sister and is now used by my oldest niece. In her family, each of the kids now has their own menorah.
And, if you are wondering about the gift-giving tradition, we found this article from Rabbi Alison Adler to be really interesting.
Our favorite Hanukkah toys and crafts:
Hanukkah Menorahs (Toys and Real Menorahs)
The Hanukkah menorah, or Chanukkiah, is possibly the most significant symbol for Hanukkah. Used to hold the candles that are lit for each of the nights, it represents the oil that burned for eight nights.
A toy Hanukkah menorah is a great way to engage young children with the holiday. Older children, who understand flames, might prefer their own children's menorah. Our kids love their Noah's Arc menorah.
Musical Hanukkah Plush Menorah and Dreidel (toy)
This one is so much more than just a toy Hanukkah menorah. This musical plush is just fun. I like the sing-along aspect as well as the-along aspect as well as the removable candles on the menorah. It allows kids to learn and add one candle per night. Plus, it includes a plush dreidel.
Rated for 3 months and above.
Foam Toy Menorah
This soft foam Hanukkah toy menorah features colorful removable candles. The dreidel design adds to the Hanukkah fun.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Dreidel Menorah
Everyone loves dreidels, making this menorah a family favorite.
Measures: 11.5 x 1.5 x 2.7 inches
Children's Train Menorah
Made by Jerusalem artist Yair Emanuel from hammered and anodized aluminum and nickel, this one is available in three color combinations: shades of blue (shown), shades of red, or multicolor.
Measures: 7.5 x 2.4 x 2 inches
First Responders Menorah Design
This ceramic menorah is perfect for the future first responder. It features an ER ambulance, firetruck, and police car Menora. By Aviv Judaica.
Measures: 9.75 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches
Fire Engine Hanukkah Menorah
Hand-painted, this laser-cut menorah features a fire engine and an active firefighter putting out the flames.
A booklet with the blessing and favorite Hanukkah songs is included with the menorah.
Measures: 9 x 5.5 x 4 inches
Noah's Ark Menorah
Our kids love their Noah's Ark menorah. This ceramic one says it is built to last. It will certainly bring a bit more fun to the holiday.
Measures: 3.25 x 3 x 10 inches
Friends Menorah
Hand-painted and fun, this ceramic menorah is filled with friends. However, it's the giant feet that hold the candles that had our kids giggling.
Measures: 12.5 x 3 x 3.5 inches
Firetruck Menorah
While kids love the firetruck, my favorite feature is the Dalmatian sitting at a hydrant that has a fire hose attached. It's made by Aviv Judaica from ceramic with metal candle holders.
Measures: 4 x 3 x 10 inches
Ceramic Train Menorah
- The Chanukah Express train features a menorah, a happy Chanukah car, a dreidel car, and a gelt car! I think it's the bright colors that kids like best.
- Measures 11.25 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches
Hanukkah toys: Dreidels
"I had a little dreidel. I made it out of clay. And when it's dry and ready, oh dreidel I will play."
Who else remembers this song from their childhood. Well today, it's even easier. There is no need to make the dreidel yourself, and there are even some fairly cool ones out there. Here are our favorites.
Extra Large Blue & White Wooden Dreidels
The classic game I played as a child is made more fun with giant wooden dreidels. At three inches in size, these hand-painted dreidels are substantially bigger than the traditional ones. Better still, there are two; one white, the other blue. Each side has the Hebrew letter along with the English transliteration of the letter names.
Recommended for all kids (and adults) ages 3 and up.
Floating Dreidel
Not a toy, but a really cool innovative spinning dreidel for display. Suspended in mid-air via magnetic technology, it can spin endlessly. And lit up, it looks even cooler.
Perfect for older kids or adults.
Hanukkah crafts
We found that as our kids got older, they preferred Hanukkah crafts to toys. Here are some that look like loads of fun and result in beautiful artwork.
Hanukkah Stamps
A twelve-pack of multicolored Hanukkah stampers. Fun for kids crafts or for decorating gift wrap.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Hanukkah Coloring & Activity Book
Colorful, fun, and beautifully illustrated, this book features 24 activities that tell the story of Hanukkah with text (English and Hebrew with transliteration) and images. In addition to offering something to color on each of the 32 pages, the book includes holiday-themed tic-tac-toe, a maze, a board game, and a dreidel hunt.
Recommended for ages 4 - 10.
More Hanukkah toys
Here are two more options that didn't quite fit into any of the categories above.
Rite Lite Chanukah Bingo Game
With menorah shaped bingo pieces, this game is a favorite among young and old alike. Up to 6 players per game.
Rite Lite ''Climb & Slide'' Hanukkah Game
Can you make it through Chanukah preparations? Go up and down with these slides and ladders, then finally arrive at the lighting menorah ceremony!
Hanukkah Mad Libs
We often found pre-teens to be one of the most difficult ages to shop for, then we discovered this Hanukkah Mad Libs. The book features hilarious stories about lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel, and more.
Recommended for ages 8 - 13 (grades 3-7).
What will you get for your kids this Hanukkah?
More on Hanukkah at Kibitz Spot:
Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are shot by our team, the guest author, or stock images from Dreamstime.
