16 thoughtful and fun Hanukkah gifts for kids of all ages, from moldable clay to a card game for the whole family
When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Roy Morsch/Getty Images
- If you're celebrating Hanukkah with kids this year, make them feel special with a gift connected to the festival of lights.
- You can find unique and Hanukkah-themed presents for all eight nights with this list of fun gifts for kids.
- Check out all of our 2021 holiday gift guides to find something for everyone on your list.
The holiday season can feel more like the Christmas season, and it can be isolating if you celebrate a different winter holiday, especially for kids. Though Hanukkah isn't the most important holiday in the Jewish faith, it's always a favorite with young kids. Whether it's fighting over who gets to light the candles or spinning the dreidel, the festival of lights is an exciting week.
Like most winter holidays, Hanukkah involves festivities, presents, and spending time with loved ones. Whether you're looking for a fun fifth-night gift for your kids or are visiting a Jewish family during the holidays and want to embrace their traditions, we have unique options for all ages.
We selected gifts that celebrate the holiday spirit and are connected to elements of the Hanukkah story, whether it's a multi-pack of dreidels or a subscription box for multiple nights of fun.
Here are 16 of our favorite Hanukkah gift ideas for kids:
Amazon
Divatla Sweet Dream, available at Amazon, $38
Light up every night with a neon sign in bright pink or blue. The "Sweet Dream" sign has a dimmable switch and is 12.2 by 7.9 inches — they can hang it above their bed or keep it as a peaceful reminder on their desk. It's one of our favorite neon signs to light up our homes.
A pair of festive pajamasHanna Andersson
Hanukkah Printed Long John Pajamas, available at Hanna Andersson, $34
Festive pajamas don't have to be Christmas exclusive. Kids can participate in pajama parties no matter the holiday they celebrate. Hanna Andersson's organic cotton pajamas are known to last for years, keeping multiple generations cozy on chilly winter nights.
A chocolate gelt alternativeDylan's Candy Bar
Happy Hanukkah Chocolate Bar Bundle, available at Dylan's Candy Bar, $12
Take the usual gelt offerings up a notch. Everyone can pick a favorite flavor or sample each one in this Hanukkah chocolate bar bundle. Kids will especially love the cookies and cream or the peanut butter bar as an elevated dreidel prize.
A dancing, plush dreidelBed Bath and Beyond
Hanukkah Spinning Musical Plush Dreidel, available at Bed Bath and Beyond, $19.99
There's always room for some silly dancing and more dreidels during the holidays. This animatronic, dreidel is sure to get a big reaction from anyone who sees it dance, plus you can leave it out on a shelf to take the holiday decor up a notch.
A giggly game for the familyAmazon
Kids Against Maturity, available at Amazon and Target, $24.99
Embrace the child's perspective during the holiday season and play this card game that asks all players to be their silliest selves. Kids Against Maturity features a blend of toilet humor and general absurdity that will have the whole family laughing and asking to play again.
Recommended ages: 10 years and up
A bracelet tokenEtsy
A Little Wish for Hanukkah Bracelet, available at Etsy, $5.38
Hanukkah celebrations don't have stockings to stuff, but the holiday is still a great time for small and thoughtful gifts. A wish bracelet is fun and cute for all ages, especially those who still believe in a little bit of magic. This Etsy shop has wish bracelets for almost every occasion, so you can stock up and always have a gift on hand.
A storytelling starterMaisonette
Lunii: My Fabulous Storyteller, available at Maisonette and Amazon, $79.90
This box is a handheld combination of screen-free storytime and a "choose your own adventure" novel. Pre-loaded with 48 possible stories, kids can explore and imagine different worlds by choosing a hero, an object, a location, and pressing play. Storytelling is particularly important in the Jewish tradition, but it is valuable and enjoyable for all.
A kid-friendly menorahWayfair
Wooden Children's Menorah, available at Wayfair, $30.99
For the toddlers who are always reaching towards the lit candles, gift them their own interactive wooden menorah. Kids can practice lighting the candles from right to left with the removable shamash and flames. This sweet and educational toy can be a new tradition for the youngest in the family.
Recommended ages: 3 years and up
A modern day miracle of lightUncommon Goods
Squishy Gummy Bear Light, available at Uncommon Goods, $28
Hanukkah is about the miracle of light, and to a kid scared of the dark, a night light is indeed miraculous. When the lights go off, this 7-inch gummy bear will glow with a squeeze of its belly. The light has both a one-hour and an all-night timer setting.
Recommended ages: 3 years and up
An artistic take on pancakesAmazon
Presto PanGogh Griddle and Pancake Kit, available at Amazon and Walmart, $34.71
Delicious, crispy, and a perfect blend of savory and sweet, potato latkes fried in oil are a traditional Hanukkah food. Making latkes is all about spending time in the kitchen together (and, of course, using the oil), so a specialty pancake art kit is right in line with the Hanukkah spirit. With reusable non-stick templates and a cool-touch electric griddle, kids can make museum-worthy pancake creations.
A subscription box that keeps on givingKiwi Co
Kiwi Co Crate, available at KiwiCo, from $15.50 per box
A subscription box fits the bill of an eight-night holiday, providing multiple days (and sometimes months) of fun. KiwiCo has multiple lines of crates, each featuring educational toys that kids return to again and again. For a set of diverse experiences, try the Atlas crate that introduces a new country and culture with each box.
A dreidel for every agePottery Barn Kids
My First Dreidel Set, available at Pottery Barn Kids, $29
Handmade Felt Dreidel, available at Uncommon Goods, $20
30-Pack Medium Size Multicolor Dreidels, available at Bed Bath and Beyond, $9.99
No one is too old or too young to play the dreidel game. Before they can spin a top, babies and toddlers can still play with a felt dreidel and practice reading the letters. Once practice and improved fine motor skills makes perfect, kids can put some gelt in the pot and spin their dreidels across the table.
A multi-cultural picture bookAmazon
"Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas" by Pamela Ehrenberg, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $11.99
There are many families with a blend of customs and celebrations. Teach kids the value of honoring multiple traditions with this picture book featuring a family preparing for Hanukkah by fusing Indian and Jewish traditions. Of course, there is some teasing between a brother and sister, but the festive holiday mood prevails.
A Hanukkah Build-A-BearBuild-A-Bear
Happy Hanukkah Bear, available at Build-A-Bear, $17
This online-exclusive bear comes stuffed and ready to be loved from Build-A-Bear workshop. Pick an outfit and record a voice message for the bear to play, or just have the teddy arrive with a Hanukkah message on its satin paw. Either way, this plush is a sweet Jewish addition to a teddy bear family.
A colorful clay setThe Dough Project
The Dough Project 9-Pack, available at The Dough Project, $54.99
If you know a kid who can't stop singing, "I had a little dreidel, I made it out of clay," get them enough clay to make all the dreidels they want. The Dough Project makes plant-based dough for all-natural crafting. This set includes nine colors, so kids can mold and play with a different dough each night of the holiday.
Recommended ages: 3 years and up
A way to let the light inAmazon
Made By Me Suncatchers, available at Amazon and Walmart, $10.97
Sunlight during the winter months can feel like a miracle, so make the most of the waning rays with a suncatcher kit. Including paint, templates, and suction cups to attach the finished pieces, this craft set will keep kids entertained, creative, and engaged with the outdoors, even if it's too cold to play outside.
Recommended ages: 6 years and up