Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. On this holiday we celebrate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days (instead of one). It is a joyous holiday in which we light the candles of the menorah, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious jelly donuts and fried potato pancakes (latkes). Enjoy these fun, family-friendly activities as an exciting way to celebrate Chanukah!
Make a Mint Tin Menorah
Make a travel-size menorah that is both usable and completely adorable! Simply take an empty Altoid tin, glue nine ¼-inch hex nuts to the center, and add birthday candles when you are ready to light. In order to add some fun, decorate the outside of the Altoid tin with colored tissue paper and modge podge.
For a list of materials and more detailed instructions, visit https://biblebeltbalabusta.com/2013/11/12/altoids-tin-menorah.
Make an Edible Dreidel
A dreidel is a four-sided top that we use for a fun game of chance. While it is super fun to play the game, it is even more fun to eat it! In order to make your own edible dreidel, gather the following items: a marshmallow, a chocolate kiss, a small pretzel stick, and some vanilla frosting. To assemble, insert the pretzel stick in to the marshmallow. Next, unwrap your chocolate kiss and spread some vanilla icing onto the flat side. Finally, adhere the chocolate kiss to the opposite side of the marshmallow. Try spinning your dreidel and then enjoy your tasty treat!
Make Your Own Jelly Doughnut Holes
Fry your own jelly doughnut. These doughnuts are delicious and fun to prepare.
Easy Jelly Doughnut Holes
Recipe adapted from PJ Hamel at www.kingarthurbaking.com
Doughnuts
- 2 cups (241g) King Arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1½ tablespoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Filling
- your favorite jelly or jam
Fill a skillet that is at least 2½” deep (a 10” electric frying pan is a great choice) with about 1” of vegetable oil (peanut oil preferred for best flavor).
Heat the oil to 350°F while you make the doughnut batter.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together the lukewarm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients to make a thick batter (or soft dough).
When the oil has come up to temperature, use a tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to drop balls of batter into the hot oil.
Fry the doughnut holes for 2 minutes on the first side, or until they are a deep golden brown. Some of them may turn themselves over; that’s OK; just use a pair of tongs to turn them back. After 2 minutes, turn the holes over, and fry for an additional 2 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the doughnut holes to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain and cool.
When the doughnuts are cool, use a piping bag with a long, plain tip to fill them with as much jelly as you like. If you don’t have a piping bag, try using an inexpensive plastic condiment squeeze bottle (think mustard or ketchup), with its tip cut off midway down to make it wider.
Shake the filled doughnuts gently in a bag of granulated sugar. Enjoy warm, or store at room temperature loosely covered for a day or so.
Do an Act of Loving Kindness
While it is especially fun to receive gifts on Chanukah, it is also a wonderful time to teach children about the importance of giving back to others. Instead of giving gifts to your children on all eight nights, dedicate one night as a special time to give to others. On this night, do a community service project as a family. Fun family community service projects include assembling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a local shelter, cleaning out closets and donating used clothing and toys to Goodwill, and making homemade dog toys for a local animal shelter.
We hope you and your family enjoy these Chanukah activities! Wishing you a sweet and happy holiday.