🕎 Hanukkah bingo cards

How to play Hanukkah bingo

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is the eight-night Jewish festival of lights. It begins on the 25th of Kislev, which falls in late November or December, and remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees' revolt and the story of the oil that lasted eight days. This bingo list covers the menorah (or hanukkiah) and its shamash, the candle blessings, the dreidel and its four letters (nun, gimel, hei, shin), gelt, and the fried foods that honor the oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot. It suits family nights, Hebrew school, and classrooms learning about winter holidays.

1. Print a card for each player and use chocolate gelt or small paper circles as markers.
2. Call words with the caller after the candles are lit. For learners, say a sentence about each word as you call it.
3. The first full line wins. Spin a dreidel to break a tie.

Tips for a better game

• Play a new round each night with a fresh batch, so there is a different winner across all eight nights.
• Families spell and say things differently (Chanukah, hanukkiah, latkes or levivot). Edit the word box to match yours.
• Teaching it in a classroom? Ask Jewish students and families if they would like to share, but never put anyone on the spot.