2011 Holiday Gift Picks: Hanukkah Gifts for Kids

Since my family celebrates Hanukkah--and I know that many of my readers do, too--I wanted to share some gift picks especially related to the holiday, which begins on Tuesday evening, December 20th. Even though my kids ask for the same things as all other kids (more on this year's "requests" another time), I always like to give them at least one Hanukkah-focused or Jewishly-related gift, too. Here are some new ones that have caught my eye, as well as some past favorites that are still available, too:

The Hanukkah Hop! ($10.79) at Amazon.com. I got an advance copy of this just-released book at the Simon & Schuster blogger book preview. It's a fun, lively tale of the many ways a family celebrates Hanukkah--including dancing the "Hanukkah Hop."

Zingo! Bilingual Hebrew/English ($19.99) from Think Fun. You know the drill with Zingo. Kids love it, and it isn't too boring for adults to play either. But my daughter--who is fluent in Hebrew--beats me every time at this one.


Hanukkah Surprises: 8-Gift Assortment Filled with Toys ($39.95) at A Perfect Gift Company. I love the story behind this product. Its founder was a single mom (who was also an artist and teacher) trying to keep Hanukkah special but affordable by tucking little surprises for her young daughter into boxes each of the 8 nights of the holiday. When you purchase this gift, she's already done the work for you.

Paint Your own Draydel ($7.99) from The Source for Everything Jewish. Need to keep the kids quiet for a few moments at a Hanukkah gathering? Try these paintable draydels (stencils, paints, brush, and glitter marker included with each one).


Hanukkah Sand Art Kit ($3.99) from Traditions Jewish Gifts. Priced just right as a Hanukkah party favor ($3.99), each kit includes 2 self-adhesive sand art cards and 6 bags of colored sand.



Note: This next batch is last year's recommendations, but my endorsements still stand, and the products are still available.

Alex Chanukah Banner ($12.13 at Amazon.com). A wonderful idea, because there's a real lack of Hanukkah craft projects and decor kits for kids compared to those available for Christmas.


Hebrew Alphabet Blocks ($40) at Chasing Fireflies. My daughter, who is learning to read, speak and write Hebrew, would love these.

OyBaby DVD ($24.95) from Amazon.com. We got our "OyBaby" DVD three years ago, and my kids still request it all the time. Think of it as a Judaica-themed version of the Baby Einstein series.


Fisher Price Little People Hanukkah Set ($34.99) from Amazon.com. I gave this to my kids last year and it still is in regular circulation in their toybox, year-round. They love singing along to the Hanukkah songs that it plays, and they use the Little People in their other playsets, too.


Wooden Hanukkah Playset ($32.95) by KidKraft, from Discount School Supply. You'll find these on several gift sites, but the price is lowest here. Kids have fun frying the pretend latkes and "lighting" each candle.


You Name It Hanukkah Placemat ($14.95 with free shipping at The Land of Nod). We ordered these last year and the kids enjoyed using them at dinner every night during Hanukkah.



Crayola Hanukkah Cookie Kit ($6.95 at Oh! Nuts). We made the Halloween version of these cookies and they tasted pretty good.



Hanukkah Box of Questions ($19.95 at The Box Girls). A great family gift idea or Hanukkah hostess gift.


Need more ideas? Check out all my past Hanukkah gift picks.