Free Hanukkah Activities for Kids This Year
Free Hanukkah crafts, a menorah workshop, and a baby-friendly park party with dates and RSVP limits.
Free Hanukkah activities for kids this year include at-home crafts for ages 3 and up and free in-person events in late November. Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, runs from sunset Friday, December 4 through nightfall Saturday, December 12, 2026, according to Chabad.org in its Hanukkah dates guide. That timing puts free kids' options in late November to mid-December.
Families can pick a mix of no-cost crafts at home and community events that require advance sign-up.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
When should families plan?
Plan for the two weeks before Hanukkah starts. Many hands-on events are scheduled in late November because Hanukkah begins December 4. Families with school-age children can spread activities across the eight days.
A short craft or story each night fits the holiday schedule without extra spending.
What can kids make at home for free?
PJ Library publishes 12 free at-home Hanukkah crafts and activities aimed at ages 3 and up, described in its Hanukkah activities post. Examples include making CD dreidels and making collaborative spin art while playing dreidel. A dreidel is a small four-sided spinning top used in a Hanukkah game.
Families can use paper, markers, old CDs, and paint they already have. Adult help makes cutting and spinning easier for younger children.
Where can kids build a menorah?
Chabad of Hunt Valley and CKids Hunt Valley host a free hands-on Home Depot Menorah Workshop on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at Home Depot, according to Chabad of Hunt Valley in its 2026 workshop listing. A menorah, also called a hanukkiah, holds candles lit each night of Hanukkah. RSVP is required through their form.
Spots for building events can fill early, so sign up before going. Check the listing for start time, age guidance, and pickup details.
What works for babies and toddlers?
Jewish Baby Network's Hanukkah at the Park on November 29, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., offers East Bay babies and toddlers ages 0 to 5 free dreidel-making, donuts, dancing and stories with Rabbi SAM, according to the Jewish Federation Bay Area in its 2026 calendar listing. Outdoor clothes and a snack backup help with late-morning park time.
Arrive near the start for stories and craft supplies. Families outside the East Bay can use the same pattern locally: look for library, park, or congregation Hanukkah meetups with a posted age range and RSVP note.