30 Hanukkah Games and Activities

Countdown to Board Games - Create a countdown calendar with eight pockets and put the name of a board game you already own in each, taking turns to draw a new game each evening to enjoy as a family.
Blessing Scramble - Cut the Hanukkah blessings up into different phrases or words and have family members try to find the different parts and put the blessing back together when it is time to be read.
Maccabees Hide and Seek - Create "caves" in several rooms with sheets for your Maccabee soldiers to hide in and play a game of hide and seek during the holiday season.
Hanukkah Story Circle - A gift is passed around as the story of Hanukkah is read, but the catch is that special words change the direction it is being passed (like Maccabee, temple or oil). Highlight the words ahead of time so you know when it should switch directions.
Dreidel Scattergories - Spin the dreidel and whichever side it lands on (N,G,H,S), players have two minutes to think up words that fit in a certain category like fruit, vegetables, movie star or animal name) and start with that letter. Longest (or most creative!) list wins.
Two Truths and a Fib - Test your family's memory skills by having them write out two true facts about the historical story behind Hanukkah and one made-up "fact." Try to make the made-up clue sound realistic to really confuse other players!
Now You See it Candle Game - After your menorah has been lit, go in another room and make a stack of holiday-related items. Turn lights out, light a candle and invite family members to observe your items. Blow out candle, remove an item, then relight the candle. Prizes are given out to those who can see what is missing.
Soldier Relay - Make two piles of whatever Maccabee "soldier" clothes you might have around the house (big shirt, helmet, pillow for a shield, a pool noodle for the sword). Teams take turns racing to the pile, getting completely dressed and raising their sword to say the Macabee battle cry, then peeling down and racing back.
Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt - Give family members clues as to where you have hidden symbols of the holiday: chocolate gelt, a plate of latke, a dreidel, your Hanukkah menorah, a new book to share, etc. Up the adventure by doing it at night with only a flashlight to light the way!

30 Hanukkah Games and Activities

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