The joy and light of Hanukkah is perfectly captured in these 25 fun, simple songs for preschoolers. With familiar tunes and easy-to-remember lyrics, little ones will delight in singing along to spinning dreidels, lighting candles, frying latkes, and opening presents. These Hanukkah songs teach about traditions, customs, and vocabulary while getting kids excited to celebrate. With singing and dancing, preschoolers will embrace the festive Hanukkah spirit. This collection of 25 songs is an easy way to infuse the sounds and spirit of the season into circle time, parties, or at home.
Best Hanukkah Songs For Kids and Preschoolers:
Spin The Dreidel
Introduce the holiday dreidel spinning tradition while keeping kids energized and engaged with this upbeat song about spinning the dreidel game top and seeing what Hebrew letter and prize comes up.
Sung to: “Row ,Row ,Row Your Boat”
Spin, spin, spin the dreidel
Spin it round and round
Wait to see what letter comes up
And the prize which you have found.
I’m a little Dreidel
Familiarize young learners with Hanukkah’s customs centering around the four-sided spinning top in this catchy and rhythmic dreidel tune that is easy to sing and remember.
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a little dreidel made of clay
Spin me around when you want to play.
When I fall down if you don’t win,
Just pick me up and spin again.
Hanukkah’s A Happy Time
Spread joy and cheer during the Hanukkah season with this fast-paced melody sung to the classic “Mary Had A Little Lamb” that emphasizes the happy festival of lights.
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb “
Hanukkah’s a happy time, happy time, happy time.
Hanukkah’s a happy time, The festival of lights.
Dreidel
Teach children about the Hanukkah tradition of playing with a clay dreidel through this simple song with repetitive lyrics about making a dreidel out of clay and playing with it during the Jewish holiday celebrations.
Oh Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made you out of clay
and when you’re dry and ready
or dreidel I shall play
Hanukkah, Hanukkah
Enliven the holiday spirit by involving kids in singing this energetic Hanukkah song about lighting candles, one on each of the eight nights, and watching them glow brightly during the festival of lights.
Sung to: “Three Blind Mice”
Hanukkah, Hanukkah
Hanukkah is here, Hanukkah is here
Light eight candles in a row,
Light eight candles and see them glow,
Light eight candles so we all know
That Hanukkah is here.
Lighting All the Candles
Practice counting the candles lit each night leading up to the eighth night with this fun Hanukkah song for kids that goes through all the numbers and concludes by proclaiming the festival’s arrival.
Sung to: “I’ve been working on the railroad”
I am lighting all the candles
On this Hanukkah night.
I am Lighting all the candles
To see them shining bright.
Flicker, flickers little candles,
Fill me with your glow.
Now the time has come to count them,
Ready, set and go
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
Hanukkah is Here
Connect young students with Hanukkah’s gift giving tradition in an exciting way through this upbeat song about opening presents full of vivid imagery and holiday joy.
Sung to: “Row, row, row your boat”
Hanukkah is here,
Hanukkah is here.
Eight tall candles in a row,
Hanukkah is here.
Hanukkah is here,
Hanukkah is here.
Light the candles one by one,
Hanukkah is here.
Sing a Song of Hanukkah
Introduce children to the potato latke pancakes classically eaten during Hanukkah celebrations in this energetic tune depicting latkes frying in a pan to a familiar marched tempo and rhythm.
Sung to: “Did you ever see a lassie”
Oh, sing a song of Hanukkah,
Hanukkah, Hanukkah,
Sing a song of Hanukkah,
Happy Holidays!
With presents and presents,
On every night, present.
Oh sing a song of Hanukkah,
A Happy Holiday.
Eight Candles
Involve kids in learning the ceremonial candle lighting central to Hanukkah observances with this engaging counting song going up to all eight candles on the last night of the festival.
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
Eight Candles, eight candles,
I can’t wait, I can’t wait.
Hanukkah is here,
We celebrate each year.
Hanukkah, Hanukkah.
Eight candles, eight candles,
I can’t wait, I can’t wait.
We count the lights,
Shining so bright.
Hanukkah, Hanukkah.
Dreidel Song
Familiarize preschoolers with Hanukkah cuisine like potato latkes through this catchy fingerplay that animates the sizzling pancakes and expresses excitement over eating the tasty holiday treats.
Sung to: “I’m a Little teapot”
I’m a little dreidel spinning round,
Turning, turning, and falling down.
Spinning faster, faster – slowing down,
Slower, slower – fall to the ground.
Happy Hanukkah
Spark kids’ fascination with the iconic candles of Hanukkah using this lively chant celebrating the sizzling menorah lights central to Festival of Lights customs and rituals.
Sung to: “I’m A Little Teapot”
Hanukkah is coming very soon,
I know there’ll be some presents, too.
Here is a menorah, light the lights,
There is one for every night.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 – Happy Hanukkah!
Eight Little Candles
Enliven classroom holiday festivities with this vigorous Hanukkah melody that has children spinning dreidels and watching them fall over to mimic key parts of the Jewish celebration.
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Eight Little candles in a row,
Waiting to join the holiday glow.
We will light them one by one,
Until all eight have joined the fun,
Eight little candles burning bright,
Filling the world with holiday light.
Hanukkah Menorah
Generate enthusiasm for Hanukkah by having young students sing this spirited song, structured after “I’m A Little Teapot,” about lighting candles on each successive night of the festival of lights until all eight are burning brightly.
Sung to: “A tisket, a tasket”
Menorah, menorah
Hanukkah menorah,
Light the lights and give a gift.
Hanukkah menorah.
Light the Candles Bright
Help kids learn to recount the candles lit on each consecutive night of Hanukkah with this simple numerical song structured around “Three Blind Mice” and going up to the eighth candle on the final night.
Sung to: “Farmer in the Dell”
Oh, light the candles bright,
and dance around the light.
Heigh – ho the derry-oh
It’s Hanukkah tonight
Spin the Dreidel round,
And watch it falling down,
Heigh – ho the derry-oh,
It’s Hanukkah tonight
Latke treats to eat,
And family to greet.
Height – ho the derry – oh.
It’s Hanukkah tonight.
I Am Opening A Present
Spotlight the nine-branched Hanukkah lamp through this cheerful melody encouraging children to engage with the iconic menorah candelabrum central to Festival of Lights observances.
Sung to : “Did you ever see a lassie?”
I am opening a present
A present, a Present.
I am opening a present,
It’s Hanukkah tonight.
I’ll untie the ribbon,
and take off the paper,
I am opening a present,
It’s Hanukkah tonight.
The Latkes Are Frying In The Pan
Prompt students to emulate lighting menorah candles with this energetic Hanukkah song structured as a call-and-response chant between a leader and the class about shining the holiday lights.
Sung to: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”
The latkes are frying in the pan, hurrah, hurrah!
The latkes are frying in the pan, hurrah, hurrah!
And when they’ve cooked so nice and brown,
we’ll take them out and sit right down.
And we’ll eat those yummy latkes this Hanukkah night.
Hanukkah Candles
Build anticipation for Hanukkah presents through this lively tune with vivid imagery of kids excitedly opening gifts on each of the eight festival nights.
Eight little candles in a row,
Waiting to join the holiday glow.
The first night we light candle number one. (1 finger)
Hanukkah time has now begun.
The second night we light candles one and two. (2 fingers)
Hanukkah’s here there’s lots to do.
The third night we light all up to three.
Hanukkah’s here there’s lots to see.
The fourth night we light all up to four.
Each now a part of the Hanukkah lore.
The fifth night we light all up to five.
Helping our Hanukkah come alive.
The sixth night we light all up to six.
Hanukkah’s here there’s food to fix.
The seventh night we light all up to seven.
The glow of each candle reaches to Heaven.
The eighth night we light all up to eight.
Hanukkah’s here, let’s celebrate!
Five Little Latkes
Introduce preschoolers to customary Hanukkah foods like sizzling potato pancakes through this catchy marching song that humorously depicts children eating up the tasty latkes.
Five little latkes were sizzling in the pan (wiggle 5 fingers)
One jumped out, said catch me if you can! (put 1 finger down, use finger on other hand to run away)
And it jumped and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
(continue finger running)
When I turned around it ran right out the door!
(running finger behind back)
Now, there’s 4 little latkes.
3, 2, 1…
Five Little Latkes Sizzling
Enhance children’s counting abilities while teaching about Hanukkah candles through this engaging song that accumulates numbers with each successive night up to all “eight candles in a row.”
Five little latkes sizzling in a pan (hold up fingers)
One went pop (clap hands) and then it went bam. (slap floor)
Four little latkes sizzling in a pan
One went pop and then it went bam.
(Continue to none)
I Am A Little Dreidel
Help kids dramatize making potato latkes while familiarizing them with iconic Hanukkah foods through this entertaining fingerplay depicting dancing pancakes popping in the pan.
I am a little dreidel
(Point to yourself)
I am a little top
(Pat your head)
When you twist my handle,
(Spin around)
I spin until I drop!
(Fall to the floor)
Little Latke
Captivate young students using a song comparing Hanukkah candles to sizzling pancakes jumping around a frying pan until the lights are all counted down.
Sung To: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a little latke, round and brown,
Here is my upside, here is my down.
When I am all ready, take a bite,
And eat me up on Hanukkah night.
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Candles
Boost Hanukkah excitement by having children count up the candles illuminating the menorah each successive night in this lively holiday number song.
Sung To: “Three Little Indians”
One Little, two little, three little candles,
Four little, five little, six little candles,
Seven little, eight little, nine little candles,
In my Hanukkah lamp.
The first night, one little candle,
The second night, two little candles,
The third night, three little candles in my Hanukkah lamp.
The fourth night, four little candles,
The fifth night, five little candles,
The sixth night, six little candles in my Hanukkah lamp.
The seventh night, seven little candles,
The eighth night, eight little candles,
The shammash makes nine little candles in my Hanukkah lamp.
(Repeat first verse)
Latkes Please
Generate enthusiasm for the Festival of Lights using this spirited Hanukkah melody structured after “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with repetitive lyrics that are easy to learn.
Latkes with sour cream, latkes with cheese,
who wants latkes?
“We do, please!”
Latkes with applesauce, latkes with fish,
Latkes alone on a blue china dish,
Latkes tomorrow and latkes today;
We just love latkes
any old way!
Candles
Demystify the nine-branched Hanukkah lamp for preschoolers through this simple candle song with repetitive lyrics about lighting the flames to celebrate the Jewish holiday.
Sung To: “The Dreidel Song”
Candle candle candle
I made it out of wax
And when it’s cool and ready
I’ll light it with a match
Oh, Hanukkah Is Here
Familiarize children with Hanukkah rituals like candle lighting through this energetic chant comparing the holiday candles to a bright glow spreading cheer and joy.
Sung To: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Light the candles one by one.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Spin the dreidel round and round.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Eat the pancakes, yum, yum, yum.
Oh, Hanukkah is here.
Singing is a joyful way for preschoolers to embrace the Hanukkah spirit. With catchy tunes, easy lyrics, and fun motions, these 25 songs introduce children to the history, traditions, vocabulary and excitement of the Festival of Lights. Kids will delight in singing about dreidels, menorahs, latkes, and opening presents while learning about the meaning of Hanukkah. These songs can be sung during preschool celebrations, circle time, or in informal sing-alongs to infuse classrooms with Hanukkah joy. Whether spinning dreidels or counting candles, singing allows little ones to actively participate in holiday customs. So gather round the menorah and sing the miracle of Hanukkah!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can these songs be used at home too?
Yes! Singing along with children is a great way for families to celebrate Hanukkah at home. These songs teach about traditions in a fun, memorable way while getting kids excited about the holiday. Families can sing while cooking latkes together, before candle lighting ceremonies, during gift giving, or anytime!
What if I’m not familiar with the Hanukkah melodies?
Not to worry! Most tunes are set to very common children’s songs like “Row Row Row Your Boat.” Just focus on getting the lyrics right and soon the melodies will become familiar. Playing the songs for children first can also help teachers learn. The main thing is to have fun singing together!
What other music works well for preschool Hanukkah celebrations?
In addition to singalongs, Hanukkah music with lively instrumentals is great for getting kids energized during holiday circle times. Upbeat dreidel songs, Klezmer music, or Israeli tunes will have children dancing the Hanukkah spirit! Holiday classics like “I Have a Little Dreidel” or Adam Sandler’s “The Hanukkah Song” also pair well with singing games and rhyming activities.
Should special motions or props be used with the songs?
Absolutely! Gestures like lighting imaginary candles, spinning pretend dreidels, or flipping latke pancakes will get kids fully immersed in the music, customs, and fun of Hanukkah. Simple props like toy dreidels, menorahs, gold coins or table decorations also lend festive flair while illustrating song concepts. With singing, dancing and concrete objects, preschoolers will light up with Hanukkah excitement!