12 Adaptive Hanukkah and Dreidel Activities for Kids with Special Needs

Happy Hanukkah! I like to teach my kids about all the major holidays and customs, even if we are not that ethnicity or religion. These Hanukkah Activities are so fun for kids of all ages. My sons both started playing the dreidel game in preschool, and now one still asks for it. Personally, I think it’s just for the chocolate.

Here are some ways to adapt traditional Hanukkah activities or enhance their therapeutic values. I originally wrote this post over three years ago, but I am updating it to check for content and links.

Hanukkah 2024 overlaps completely with the Christmas holiday. It starts on December 25 and goes until January 2.

Introducing a new, fun activity at this time may help keep them entertained and focused when they are getting antsy about upcoming holidays and days off from school. Especially with the shorter and colder days, these are fun, easy, indoor activities. Here are some ways to adapt traditional Hanukkah activities or work on finding therapeutic value in those activities.

Hanukkah and New Language Activities

For starters, if you do an internet search on the history of Hanukkah, you can adapt what you find to read to the level of your child. But Hanukkah has many new and unusual words to accompany it–Hanukkah, gelt, menorah, dreidel. And of course all the words in the dreidel game. Pronouncing new words and letter patterns can help speech and expand vocabulary.

Food–This link has simple, traditional recipes for Hanukkah. At my son’s school, they sometimes do “food group” to get the kids to try new foods. So why not do one at home and try new foods?

Menorah-You can work on counting, patience (8 whole days!), safety, and blowing out candles (oral motor). With the eight candles and eight days, you can also track something for eight days–something they’ve been working on. Such as “I will make my bed every day for eight days” and have a reward at the end. Have daily goals and daily prizes, which is common with Hanukkah and you can make it rewards based.

You can also use it to reflect and memory recall–what did we talk about when we lit a candle yesterday? If a candle is just out of the question for your child, do one on paper and either glue or tape a “flame” for each day. That still helps them work on fine motor skills.

Hanukkah Coloring Pages

These free Hanukkah Coloring Pages can be used to reinforce all of the above. You can talk about the words and what they mean. And, work on expanding vocabulary. Plus coloring is great for a lot of skills like fine motor and following directions, and creativity!

Dreidel Game-The dreidel game has lots of fun stuff! Spinning it definitely takes fine motor skills. All the words are new. There’s taking turns, waiting, learning rules, counting and so on. There’s also the community kitty of gelt, so you have to be willing to share. Here are some printable dreidels and printable dreidel game rules for you to use. Below I listed some sources on finding gelt or dreidels.

If you want, you can really go old school and make one out of clay. Working with clay is a great activity for their hands. There are dreidel templates and how to make a clay dreidel in this PDF.

Hanukkah Gelt

Gelt can be anything though–coins, skittles, anything of value to your child. If you need to adapt the dreidel because your child can’t spin it, consider allowing them to just toss it like dice. Or, you can use a pencil gripper or rubber bouncy ball to put on the small stick to give them something more substantial to grab and spin.

If you do an internet search on the history of Hanukkah, you can adapt what you find to read to the level of your child. For many families, Hanukkah has many new and unusual words to accompany it. Such as: Hanukkah, gelt, menorah, dreidel.

Gelt is readily available in many metropolitan areas during December. If you cannot find it, you can order online. Or, use something instead of gelt such as actual pennies and nickels. Or even jellybeans sorted by color.

And, of course, all the words in the dreidel game. Pronouncing new words and letter patterns can help speech and expand vocabulary.

Hanukkah Worksheet

And here you go– a free printable Hanukkah activity booklet.

Hanukkah and Sensory Needs

Accommodating kids with sensory needs during Hanukkah can help ensure they enjoy the celebration while feeling comfortable and supported. Here are some ideas tailored for sensory-friendly Hanukkah festivities:

1. Lighting the Menorah

• Dim the room lights gradually: Sudden darkness might be overwhelming; allow the child to adjust.
• Use electric menorah candles: For kids sensitive to real flames or the scent of wax.
• Positioning: Allow them to sit further from the menorah if the light or heat is too much.

2. Dreidel Games

• Noise considerations: Use soft-surface dreidels or play on a felt board to minimize the clattering noise.
• Simplify rules: For kids who might get overwhelmed by multi-step games, adapt the rules to make it more straightforward.

3. Sensory-Friendly Foods

• Taste and texture: Provide alternatives for kids who may not enjoy traditional foods like latkes (e.g., baked options instead of fried, or foods with milder flavors).
• Safe zones: If the smell of cooking oil or traditional foods is overwhelming, designate a separate space where they can relax.

4. Hanukkah Music and Stories

• Volume control: Keep music and storytelling at a low volume or provide noise-canceling headphones.
• Alternative formats: Share Hanukkah stories through picture books or videos with subtitles to accommodate different sensory preferences.

5. Gifting

• Avoid sensory overload: Offer sensory-friendly gifts like fidget toys, weighted blankets, or noise-canceling headphones.
• Unwrapping: Allow them to open gifts at their own pace, away from the crowd if needed.

6. Decorations

• Minimize bright or flashing lights: Opt for subtle, steady lights and decorations.
• Textile choices: Choose decorations made from non-scratchy, soft materials for tactile-sensitive kids.

7. Inclusive Play and Participation

• Provide sensory breaks: Create a quiet area with dim lighting, comfy seating, and calming objects (e.g., stress balls, chewy necklaces).
• Engage through crafts: Let them participate in Hanukkah by making sensory-friendly crafts like dough menorahs or decorating dreidels with stickers.

8. Prepare and Plan Ahead

• Social stories: Use social stories to explain what will happen during the holiday and what sensory experiences they might encounter.
• Communicate needs: Let other family members know about any accommodations in advance to foster understanding and support.

9. Respect Their Limits

• Flexible traditions: It’s okay to skip or modify parts of the celebration that might overwhelm the child.
• Give choices: Let them decide how and when to participate.

Creating a sensory-friendly environment doesn’t mean giving up on traditions—it just means making them accessible for everyone. Happy Hanukkah! 🕎