December -- Week 5 Israel's Hanukkah Why teach children about Jewish Holidays? Because these days are a beautiful picture of the Messiah's first and second coming! God told his people to set apart special days including Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Tabernacles (Succoth), Purim, and Hanukkah (Chanukah or the Feast of Dedication). In addition to the Sabbath, the LORD has established festivals, the holy occasions to be observed at the proper time each year. During these festival days each year, you must explain to your children why you are celebrating. Say to them, 'This is a celebration of what the LORD did for us. . .' ~Leviticus 23:4 & Exodus 13:8 - NLT Ideal for 16 months - 2 1/2 years CREATIVE ACTIVITIES SPECIAL TOYS & GAMES BIBLE LANGUAGE MONDAY Learn and tell The Story of Hanukkah. Make a mobil & attach a Star of David, Dreidal, & Menorah. Toy Wash & Swap Recite: "Jesus was born for you." Luke 2:11 Read Jesus Tells People How to Please God, page 100 Attention Getter: Tell this story at snack time when you serve juice. Sign Language: Fire (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) Twinkle, twinkle Hanukkah lights shining brightly for 8 nights. See the dreidel spin around, eat some latke crisp and brown. Twinkle, twinkle Hanukkah lights shining brightly for 8 nights. Note: Add this section for older children. Click here for Planning Ideas. Flash Cards and/or Felt Shapes: Symbols of Hanukkah Letters: I, J Number: 6 Color: Yellow Shape: Star TUESDAY Make a Handprint Menorah: Paint the palms of the children's hands with white paint. Then paint their fingers yellow and for the flame paint their fingertips orange. Cross the childrens hands over so that the right hand is on the left side and vice versa. Press hands on to the blue paper. Hanukkah reminds us of the Miracle of the Oil burning for eight days. Put a few drops of food coloring to water in a bottle and add oil until it is 2/3 full. Securely fasten the lid on and let the children explore how the oil and water separate. WEDNESDAY Teach all or some of this Jesus Is Born lesson and activities from Trueway Kids. Sing Be Careful Little Eyes. THURSDAY As a class project or individually, Make this Star of David Handprint Wreath. Let the children Explore Candles of all types and sizes. FRIDAY Explore Dreidles of as many types that you can find and/or make. Dreidel Song Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I'm spinning round and round Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I'm spinning round and round I'll spin and spin and spin and spin and then I'll fall down. SNACKS & ALTERNATE ACTIVITIES Snacks Applesauce Latkes Sufganiyot Honey Rye Bread Ediable Manorahs Spread bread with peanut butter and place 8 straight pretzels onto the bread. Dreidel Art: On a plain sheet of paper cut in the shape of a dreidel, spin little dreidels that have been dipped into paint. Make Potato Latkes OR Sufganiyot Hanukkah Countdown: Cut out a Star of David, then make a paper daisy chain with eight links. Have children take a chain off each day of Hanukkah. Please take a moment to read Pamm's House Site Disclaimer. Thanks! Back to Toddler Themes. Where would you like to visit? -------------------------- Home Play Room Preschool Resource Room Study Home Office Library Kitchen Family Room Bathroom Scales Backdoor Mailbox -------------------------- Pamm's House Web Design -------------------------- Site Map -------------------------- Disclaimer & Copyright All praise and glory go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, I could do nothing. (John 15:5)