Planning a Hanukkah party for adults
Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights, so a gathering might fall on any night of the holiday. The name is also spelled Chanukah, and both spellings are common. Many families and friends include candle lighting, music, and traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) in their gatherings. Games can fit around those traditions.
A few planning tips:
- Check with guests about dietary needs, since food-based games may involve wheat, eggs, or dairy.
- Keep a mix of active games and sit-down games.
- If guests come from different backgrounds, a short explanation of a game’s connection to the holiday can help everyone feel included.
Dreidel games with an adult twist
A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, traditionally marked with Hebrew letters. In the usual game, players put tokens into a pot and spin in turn, then add to or take from the pot depending on the side that lands face up. Many households use chocolate gelt or coins as tokens.
Adult-friendly variations:
- Dreidel with dares: Assign a light task to each side, such as sharing a family story or naming a Hanukkah song.
- Team dreidel: Divide into pairs and combine scores over several rounds.
- Giant dreidel: Use a larger top on a table for a spin-off between finalists.
- Trivia dreidel: Each spin triggers a question from a prepared deck.
Keep any dares gentle and let guests pass.
Food-based games
- Doughnut on a string: Hang doughnuts from a line and have players eat them without using their hands. Expect crumbs and powdered sugar.
- Flip the latke: Players try to flip a latke in a pan, or onto a plate, in a set number of attempts. Use a cooled latke or a substitute to keep things safe.
- Gelt challenge: Players try to stack chocolate gelt coins, or move them from one container to another with a spoon, against a timer.
- Blind taste test: Guests guess a food or filling from a bite, such as different jelly flavors.
Word and guessing games
- Forbidden word: Pick a word guests cannot say during the evening, such as “dreidel,” and give a token to anyone who catches a slip.
- Write, pass, draw: Each player writes a phrase, passes the paper to the next person to draw it, then the next person guesses the drawing, and so on. Results are often funny.
- Charades: Use holiday-related words and songs.
- Pictionary: A good option for teams.
For other holiday formats that use similar guessing games, see Christmas party games for adults, many of which can be adapted with Hanukkah themes. Our acting games for groups and the hat game are also easy to theme.
Trivia and storytelling
A trivia round about Hanukkah history, customs, and music can be a good conversation starter, but check your questions against reliable sources, because many details vary by community. A storytelling round, where each guest shares a favorite Hanukkah memory, also works well for adults. For more conversation starters, see table conversation games.
Crafts for adults
Some options include:
- Decorating a menorah or candle holder with paint or tiles.
- Making a banner or garland.
- Decorating cookies or doughnuts.
- Card making for friends or family.
Frequently asked questions
What are some fun activities for a Hanukkah party?
Dreidel games, latke and doughnut challenges, trivia, word games, and crafts are common choices.
What are the activities of Hanukkah?
Traditions often include lighting candles each night, eating fried foods, playing dreidel, and exchanging gifts or gelt. Practices vary by family and community.
What are some fun Hanukkah crafts for adults?
Decorating menorahs, making garlands, and cookie decorating are easy starting points.