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 heading out along the shore, here are kid-approved ways to keep the candles (and spirits) glowing, with a nod to Long Branch and nearby towns.
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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 coastal cleanups. Create “mitzvah coupons” kids can cash in for acts of service: helping a neighbor shovel, delivering canned goods, writing thank-you notes to teachers or first responders. -
Make your menorah a craft project.
Try a family art session: air-dry clay; painted seashells collected on a fall beach walk; or a safe wooden base decorated with shells and sand for a shore-inspired look. Use nonflammable materials and place candles in secure, proper candle cups. -
Plan a glow stroll by the water.
After candle lighting, bundle up for a boardwalk stroll in Long Branch or a downtown window-light tour in neighboring towns. Turn it into a simple scavenger hunt—find a Star of David, a blue-and-white display, a menorah, a dreidel—and snap a family photo under the night 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, vanilla glaze—plus sprinkles. For a homemade touch, let kids pipe in filling with zip-top bags. Pair with hot cocoa for a cozy, low-lift dessert night. -
Cue the music and stories.
Create a Hanukkah playlist that spans traditional melodies and contemporary favorites. Add a family 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. -
Seek community light.
Public menorah lightings and family events pop up across Monmouth County each season. Check local synagogues, community centers and town calendars for outdoor lightings, children’s craft hours and concerts. Many gatherings are open to all and feature songs, treats and photo spots.
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 board game marathon; another could be a movie with a blue-and-white snack board; another a quick shoreline stroll 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 shore-inspired dinner: latkes alongside grilled salmon and a citrus salad, with sea-salt caramel sufganiyot for dessert. For a quick outing, pair candle lighting with a short walk through a decorated downtown for window shopping and cocoa to go.
Hanukkah’s heart is simple: gather, light and share. Whether you spend the week making latkes, spinning dreidels or strolling the boardwalk after sundown, Monmouth County offers a beautiful backdrop—and your traditions make it shine. Chag sameach!
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