Hanukkah brings eight nights of light, music and togetherness—plenty of chances to make new traditions while honoring old ones. Whether you’re celebrating at home or exploring Bergen County, here are family-friendly ways to keep the candles (and spirits) glowing.
Host a latke bake-off.
Turn your kitchen into a test kitchen. Assign teams—classic potato, sweet potato, zucchini—then hold a blind taste test with simple scorecards. Let kids mix, flip and tally votes. Round it out with applesauce and sour cream, plus a “chef’s table” for toppings such as chives, smoked salmon or everything seasoning.
Start a giving night.
Dedicate one night to tzedakah. Have children choose a local cause—animal rescues, food pantries or senior centers. Create “mitzvah coupons” kids can cash in for acts of service: helping a neighbor shovel, delivering canned goods, or writing thank-you notes to teachers and first responders.
Make your menorah a craft project.
Gather for a creative session: air-dry clay, painted pebbles from a park walk, or a safe wooden base decorated with pinecones and winter greens for a Bergen-inspired touch. Use nonflammable materials and place candles in secure, proper holders.
Take a glow stroll.
After candle lighting, bundle up for an evening stroll through Ridgewood, Englewood or Westwood’s downtown displays. Turn it into a scavenger hunt—find a Star of David, a blue-and-white window, a menorah, a dreidel—and snap a family photo under the twinkling lights.
Throw a dreidel tournament.
Set up round-robin matches with chocolate gelt or pennies as chips. Post a bracket on poster board and teach younger kids the Hebrew letters and what each spin means. Keep energy up with short rounds, snack breaks and a champion’s ribbon.
Try a sufganiyot bar.
Short on time? Buy plain doughnuts and set out fillings and glazes—raspberry jam, lemon curd, chocolate or vanilla—plus sprinkles. For a homemade touch, let kids pipe in filling with zip-top bags. Pair with hot cocoa for a cozy dessert night.
Cue the music and stories.
Create a Hanukkah playlist that spans traditional melodies and modern hits. Add a story circle: grandparents share memories from past holidays, kids read picture books aloud, and everyone contributes one “miracle moment” from the year—big or small.
Find the community light.
Public menorah lightings and family events pop up across Bergen County each season—from Tenafly and Paramus to Franklin Lakes and Hackensack. Check local synagogues, community centers and town calendars for outdoor lightings, craft hours and concerts. Many gatherings are open to all and include songs, treats and photo ops.
Make it yours: an eight-night plan.
Keep momentum with a simple theme each night—Light, Gratitude, Creativity, Community, Play, Story, Flavor, Joy. Tape the list to the fridge and let kids help plan. One night might be a family game marathon; another could be a movie with a blue-and-white snack board; another a snowy walk through town before bedtime.
Safety first.
Place menorahs on a stable, nonflammable surface away from curtains and drafts. Supervise children around open flames, keep pets clear, and never leave candles unattended.
Local flavor, low pressure.
Prefer to stay close to home? Pick one evening for a Bergen-inspired dinner: latkes alongside roasted salmon and a winter citrus salad, with sea-salt caramel sufganiyot for dessert. For a quick outing, pair candle lighting with a walk through your favorite downtown and cocoa to go.
Hanukkah’s heart is simple: gather, light and share. Whether you’re spinning dreidels, baking latkes or watching candles flicker against the snow, Bergen County offers a beautiful backdrop—and your traditions make it shine. Chag sameach!
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