Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is not the most religiously significant holiday in Judaism. While there are Hanukkah blessings to recite and Hanukkah traditions surrounding the holiday, most Hanukkah activities are more celebratory than spiritual. Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that usually falls around Christmas and other winter holidays, and Hanukkah games and gift giving are common in many Jewish households.
Whether you're hosting a Hanukkah party, teaching in a Jewish classroom, or simply searching for fun Hanukkah games and activities for your family this year, there are plenty of Hanukkah-themed games you can buy and DIY in 2022. From hilarious card games and Hanukkah drinking games for adults, to Hanukkah crafts and interactive activities for kids of all ages, we've rounded up the best Hanukkah games from across the internet. Some put a new spin on the traditional game of dreidel, so you won't need to buy any new materials. Other Jewish games can be purchased online and played all year-round, not just on Hanukkah — meaning they also make for great Hanukkah gifts.
If you've tired yourself out playing traditional dreidel for the first few nights of Hanukkah, take this game for a spin instead. Choose a different category for each letter on the dreidel (Hanukkah foods, songs, or movies, Jewish celebrities, etc.). When each player spins, they'll yell out an answer for the category they land on. The tricky part is, you can't repeat!
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Gelt Scavenger Hunt
Douglas Sacha
Kids love searching for the Afikomen on Passover, so why not incorporate a scavenger hunt on Hanukkah as well? Hide enough pieces of gelt for the size of your group, then let the little ones race to see who can find the most gold coins. Have some extra gelt on hand for after, so everyone can be a winner.
Looking for Hanukkah games online or on Zoom? Virtual Dreidel will be back for Hanukkah 2022, so you can play dreidel online with family and friends while you're on Zoom, a phone call, or even in the group chat. You can also use this simple click to spin a dreidel site, whether you're across the miles or together but without a dreidel at home.
Jamie KravitzAssociate EditorJamie Kravitz (she/her) is the associate editor of Woman’s Day, where she oversees the brand's digital platforms and covers holidays, food, and more.