# What is Hanukkah? A bright and joyful guide for kids > Discover Hanukkah! Learn its history, traditions like lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating delicious fried foods. Published: 2025-12-12 Canonical: https://studycat.com/blog/what-is-hanukkah-a-bright-and-joyful-guide-for-kids/ --- # **What is Hanukkah? A bright and joyful guide for kids** Every year, families all around the world celebrate a glowing holiday filled with candles, songs, games, and delicious food. It's called **Hanukkah**—also known as the **Festival of Lights**. Whether you're new to the holiday or just curious about why people eat potato pancakes and spin little tops during the winter, this guide is here to help you understand what Hanukkah is all about, and how it's celebrated today. Let’s shine a little light on this very special celebration. ## **The story behind Hanukkah** The story of Hanukkah goes back over 2,000 years to a time when a powerful empire called the Seleucids ruled over the Jewish people in the land of Judea (now part of modern-day Israel). The king, Antiochus IV, tried to stop the Jewish people from practicing their religion. He even took over the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and used it for his own purposes. But a small group of Jewish fighters, known as the **Maccabees**, stood up for their beliefs and fought back. After a long struggle, the Maccabees won. They reclaimed the Temple and cleaned it up so they could rededicate it to their faith. As part of the rededication, they needed to light the **menorah**—a special lamp that was meant to burn every night. There was just one problem: they only had enough oil to keep the flame burning for one day. But something amazing happened. That tiny amount of oil lasted for eight full days—just enough time to prepare more. This is the miracle that Hanukkah celebrates. ## **When is Hanukkah?** Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Since the Hebrew calendar is based on the moon (not the sun like most modern calendars), Hanukkah doesn’t start on the same date every year. It usually falls sometime in **late November or December**. In 2025, Hanukkah begins on the **evening of December 14th** and ends on the **evening of December 22nd**. ## **Lighting the menorah** One of the most important parts of Hanukkah is lighting the **menorah** (also called a **hanukkiah**). This special candleholder has **nine branches**—one for each night of Hanukkah, plus a special candle called the **shamash**, or “helper,” which is used to light the others. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit. On the second night, two are lit. By the eighth night, all eight candles are glowing brightly. Families often place the menorah in a window to share the light with their neighbors. While the candles burn, people may sing songs, say prayers, or just enjoy being together. ## **Spinning the dreidel** Hanukkah isn’t just about candles—it’s also about fun\! One of the most popular Hanukkah games is played with a spinning top called a **dreidel**. The dreidel has four sides, each marked with a Hebrew letter: **nun**, **gimel**, **hei**, and **shin**. These letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” which means “A great miracle happened there.” Players take turns spinning the dreidel and depending on which letter it lands on, they either win or lose a few pieces of candy, chocolate coins (called **gelt**), or nuts. It’s a simple game, but it’s been part of Hanukkah fun for generations. ## **Eating fried foods** Why is Hanukkah full of fried food? It’s because of the oil\! Remember that tiny bit of oil that lasted for eight days? To honor that miracle, many Hanukkah foods are cooked in oil. Here are some favorites: * **Latkes** – Crispy potato pancakes, usually served with applesauce or sour cream. * **Sufganiyot** – Jelly-filled doughnuts sprinkled with powdered sugar. * **Loukoumades** – Honey-covered dough balls popular in Greek Jewish communities. You don’t have to be Jewish to love these tasty treats, but if you’ve ever wanted an excuse to eat extra doughnuts, Hanukkah might be your holiday. ## **Giving gifts and gelt** In many Jewish families, children receive a small gift each night of Hanukkah. These might be toys, books, games, or treats. Some families keep it simple with just one or two gifts total. In place of presents, some children receive **gelt**, which is the Yiddish word for money. Today, this often comes in the form of gold-wrapped chocolate coins. Gelt is also used when playing dreidel\! While gift-giving isn’t the main focus of Hanukkah (unlike other December holidays), it’s a nice way to add joy and show love during the celebration. ## **Hanukkah around the world** Although Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people everywhere, the traditions can look a little different depending on where you are. * In **Israel**, many cities host public menorah lightings, concerts, and community events. You might hear special Hanukkah songs in Hebrew and eat sufganiyot from a bakery on almost every street. * In the **United States**, schools and libraries sometimes hold Hanukkah storytime events. In big cities, you can even see giant menorahs lit in public spaces like parks and plazas. * In **Moroccan Jewish families**, a special oil lamp called a “hanukkiah” is used instead of a candle menorah, and people eat sweet, fried pastries flavored with cinnamon and anise. No matter where it's celebrated, Hanukkah is always a time for warmth, light, and togetherness. ## **Fun facts about Hanukkah** * The word **Hanukkah** means “dedication” in Hebrew. * The **world’s largest menorah** is in New York City and stands 32 feet tall\! * There are **over 16 accepted spellings** of Hanukkah in English. The most common are “Hanukkah” and “Chanukah.” * The game of dreidel may have been invented as a way for Jewish people to study in secret when learning was banned. ## **Why Hanukkah matters** Hanukkah isn’t just about food or games—it’s about **hope**, **identity**, and **resilience**. It reminds us that even a small light can shine brightly in the darkness, and that standing up for what you believe in—even when it’s hard—can lead to something miraculous. It’s a celebration of a community that held onto its traditions and its joy through difficult times. And today, it's a time to gather, share, and reflect. ## **Final thoughts from Studycat** At [Studycat](https://studycat.com/products/english/), we believe learning about the world’s traditions is a great way to become kinder, more curious global citizens. Whether or not you celebrate Hanukkah, we hope you’ve learned something new—and maybe found a new favorite food (latkes, anyone?). So this December, if you see glowing candles in a window or smell something delicious frying nearby, it might just be a little Hanukkah magic. Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate\! Try [Studycat language learning apps](https://studycat.com/products/english/) available on iOS and Android.