You don’t need to be partying with tons of people to create fun, memorable nights for your family.
For many of us, every night of Chanukah there is something special and fun we look forward to–including spending time with extended family. However, for those of us who do not have or live near extended family, these nights can feel quite lonely and those guilty feelings creep upon us with the realization that we may not get to share in those same special experiences that many others seem to have!
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make every night special–and create a memorable Chanukah–even if you don’t leave your home!
Thank you Chaya Levovitz and Goldy Stern for your input and ideas.
- Pajama Party! We first introduced you to the excitement of a family pajama party in this post by Gitty Katz, beginning with each child coloring in their own pajamas. You can find pajamas and more white items in this post, along with a great Sharpie tie-dye hack over here. Gitty included popcorn and hot cocoa in her pajama party (read the post for more details!); another idea is making razzles (depending on what your family likes!). You can also wear some novelty socks to add to the silliness and fun.
- Donut or Cookie Decorating. Don’t just serve the donuts or cookies. Make them an activity.
- Family game night. Get all the games out (something age appropriate for everyone) and have a cozy night around the dining room table, playing endlessly. For our top board game picks, see this post (there’s nothing like a new game to make it exciting!)
- Carnival Night. Rent or buy a popcorn and/or cotton candy machine. Choose a couple boardwalk-style games to play (prizes optional!). Ring toss, life-sized prize memory, and balloon darts are some options.
- Make a Photobooth. You’ll just need some silly Chanukah-themed accessories.
- Invite the lonely. Who around you might be celebrating alone? How can you include them in your celebration?
- Have a Chopped-Style cooking competition. Bonus if you’re wearing a funny apron.
- Glow party! Turn off the lights and turn up the music. Play Chanukah songs and hand out all the glow paraphernalia.
Please add your ideas in the comments below.
Over the past few years, I have realized that spending time with my kids on Chanukah (game night, chopped etc) is really all they want for Chanukah! When they reminisce it’s never abt the gifts- it’s always abt the fun and togetherness Thanks for the round up
So true!!
When I was a very hard teenager to impress, but my fondness Chanukah memories are from the year my mother bought (or took out an old game we hadn’t seen in years…) a short and fun game for each night. All games were appropriate for kids over 5, and we had a blast!
We switched around some of the rules because we didn’t always have time to play the full game (think needing to get to a party 45 min away) but after singing by the candles, we knew it was going to be game time and it made it so much fun!
I’ve done a face painting night for the past few years with my young kids, I google some options for them to choose an do my best to copy, they love being lions etc an it’s just something special for chanuka which they enjoy.
Every night of Chanuka, after candle lighting, we stand next to the menoras and ask each of the kids a question that has to do with Chanuka. We pick questions according to age level, to make sure that everyone will get the answer right. After a few rounds of questions, each child gets a chocolate coin. The kids love it! Check out chinuch.org for lots of compilations of Chanuka questions.