There is nothing quite like celebrating Hanukkah with a toddler who is finally old enough to recognize that something very, very exciting is happening every night for over a whole week. It’s the year he learns that candles glow like tiny stars right inside our home… that dreidels spin and fall and make everyone cheer… that latkes taste like crunchy heaven… and that yes, this holiday comes with presents — one after another!
This is our little guy’s second Hanukkah, but the first one he’ll really appreciate — and we’re all in. Sticky fingers, little giggles, wiggly attention spans, and big, wide-eyed wonder included. So we’re making each night its own mini celebration: a little tradition, a little treat, and one special toddler-friendly gift that lights him up just like the candles in the menorah.
Here’s how we’re bringing the magic home…
Night 1 — Snuggle & Story Night
Tonight is all about soft beginnings and warm cuddles. We light the menorah, snuggle under a blanket, and introduce the holiday with a cozy seasonal story — one that celebrates winter magic and family closeness. With simple rhymes and charming illustrations, Snuggle Season becomes the perfect way to kick off his Hanukkah memories. Add warm milk for him and a hot toddy for us? A family win already.
Snuggle Season by Jaime MacGibbon
Celebrate the simple magic of winter with Snuggle Season, a sweet, cozy picture book that embraces the joy of cold mornings, falling snow, and every kind of snuggle in between. Soft rhymes and warm, charming illustrations follow two siblings through a day filled with “can’t-get-out-of-bed snuggles,” “curled-up-by-the-fire snuggles,” and even “waiting-for-cookies snuggles.”
It’s an instant read-aloud favorite that captures the togetherness we all crave this time of year making it a favorite Hanukkah gift for little ones who love to cuddle up with a story. This is a keepsake book families will look forward to reading year after year when the snuggle season returns.
- Ages: 2-5
- Available at: Amazon
- Price: $18.99
? Fun Idea: Take a “first night” photo in front of the menorah holding the book — a yearly tradition begins!
Night 2 — Build & Play Night
Tonight we honor the creativity that toddlers can’t help but unleash — hammering, sawing, drilling (pretend, but very serious business!). He gets to build something “big,” just like the Maccabees rebuilt hope long ago. This encourages independence, imagination, and those little fine-motor skills that help his confidence grow.
Step2 Pro Play Workshop & Utility Bench™
Little builders will go wild for the Step2 Pro Workshop with this souped-up kids’ workbench that feels like the real thing, complete with a working spring-action vise, a pull-out utility bench for extra space, and tons of tools for big-imagination projects. With battery-powered pretend power tools, Durafoam™ “wood” pieces they can saw, drill, and assemble, and plenty of realistic storage like bins, jars, and a pegboard, kids can hammer away at creativity while developing fine motor skills and teamwork.
It’s large enough for multiple kiddos to build side-by-side (such a win on playdates and cousin-packed Hanukkah nights!) and offers hours of screen-free fun that keeps their hands busy and their minds inspired. Made in the USA with durable construction, this workshop is a gift that puts pretend play into overdrive and gives you eight nights of happy, focused little engineers.
- Ages: 3+
- Available at: Step2
- Price: $199.99
? Bonus Tip: Save the cardboard from last night’s gift! Little builders LOVE extra supplies.
Night 3 — Spin, Snack, & Seek Night
Tonight’s theme: quiet fun meets sweet rewards. After lighting candles, we pop dreidels and enjoy mini sufganiyot while our curious explorer searches for hidden friends inside Trolley. It’s calming, screen-free entertainment — perfect for decompressing after a sugar-high.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Trolley Seek & Find
This adorable Daniel Tiger Trolley Seek & Find is the perfect quiet-play Hanukkah gift for curious little hands. Filled with soft beads and hidden icons from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, it encourages sensory exploration, focus, and fine motor development as kids sift and search for all 20 characters and items inside.
It’s calming, screen-free entertainment that keeps toddlers and preschoolers engaged whether you’re at home, in the car, or waiting patiently (okay, semi-patiently) for the latkes to finish cooking. Designed for ages 3 and up, this sweet trolley makes learning feel like play and helps keep the “grr-ific!” holiday vibes going all eight nights long.
- Ages: 3+
- Available at: Amazon
- Price: $14.99
Food Pairing: Bite-size jelly donut holes for tiny hands ? because crumbs are simply part of the holiday décor.
Night 4 — Tiny Home Makeover Night
Tonight is all about creating a toddler-friendly play corner that sparks imagination. With this multipurpose train-table-meets-snack-station, we give him a dedicated place to explore, build, and nosh. It’s the perfect “new routine” night — the table becomes his little Hanukkah headquarters.
Step2 Harmony All-in-One Activity Table
Turn playtime into a hands-on adventure with the Step2 Harmony Activity Table. It’s the perfect Hanukkah gift for busy toddlers who love trains, building, and imaginative play. The built-in track encourages fine motor skills and social interaction, offering plenty of room for siblings and friends to play together.
When it’s time for crafts, snacks, or a fresh activity, simply pop on the included lid to transform the table into a smooth, easy-to-clean workspace. Made from durable, double-walled resin and engineered wood that won’t chip or fade, this indoor play station is built to last through years of creativity, laughter, and “choo-choo!” fun. Ideal for ages 3 and up — and for parents who love a gift that multitasks.
- Ages: 3+
- Available at: Step2
- Price: $199.99
? Activity Idea: Decorate the lid with Hanukkah-themed stickers!
Night 5 — Gnome Glow Night
Tonight is pure festive whimsy. He gets to help “wake up” the gnome for Night 5 — letting toddlers participate in the countdown makes the holiday feel real and exciting. Watching the lights turn on? That’s toddler magic in action. He may even proudly shout “again!” which… fair.
Photo Tip: Capture his face when the gnome lights up — frame-worthy joy.
Night 6 — PJ Party Night
Comfort night! We wear matching jammies (yes, everyone!) to celebrate being together. From menorah selfies to dancing to Sevivon before bedtime, this is the night that lives in family memory — and mama’s camera roll.
Little Sleepies — Hanukkah Fair Isle Two-Piece Pajama Set
Get the whole family glowing with Hanukkah spirit in these ultra-soft Hanukkah Fair Isle Pajamas from Lunaluxe® Bamboo. Featuring classic blue stripes sprinkled with menorahs, dreidels, gelt, Stars of David, and winter accents, this adorable set brings all eight nights of comfort and joy.
The buttery-soft, seasonless fabric is gentle on sensitive skin (eczema-friendly!) and designed with extra length so kids can wear them up to three times longer — a win for parents. No snaps, buttons, or itchy tags here, just pure snuggle-worthy coziness that keeps them cool on warm Florida nights and warm when winter decides to show up. And yes… You can absolutely snag matching styles for siblings, parents, and even the family pet for those epic photo-op moments around the menorah.
- Sizes: Holiday Collection available from Newborn – Adult (men & women)
- Available at: Little Sleepies
- Price: $38 as shown, but prices vary depending upon size
Snack Pairing: Rugelach + milk = bedtime deliciousness.
He’ll be asleep fast… we hope.
Night 7 — Art & Creativity Night
Tonight is for stickers on noses, scribbles that somehow look like dreidels, and giggles that turn into belly laughs. The Pigeon says “LET ME TRY!” — and we do. This gift comes with hours of creative fun while we munch on chocolate gelt and admire his masterpieces on the fridge.
Mo Willems Workshop & Crayola — Make Your Mark!
If you’ve got a little artist in the family who loves The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie, or Knuffle Bunny, they are going to flip for this Mo Willems + Crayola creativity celebration. Packed with over 100 ways to draw, doodle, sticker, and imagine, this activity book lets kids join The Pigeon as he tries all the creative things like writing stories, decorating pages, solving silly puzzles, and even planning his next big adventure.
It includes a reversible pull-out poster for big display-worthy masterpieces and tons of Mo Willems’ humor sprinkled on every page. It’s the perfect Hanukkah gift to make them giggle, explore, and embrace the pure joy of creating — no batteries, screens, or toy assembly required. Just art, fun, and a whole lot of personality!
- Ages: 5-8
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold
- Price: $15.99
Parent Hack: Save one page to hang each year — an accidental scrapbook is born.
Night 8 — Toy Surprise Finale Night
Grand finale night! Because Bluey is practically a member of the family now. Each twist of the vending knob reveals surprise joy — a collectible, a laugh, a moment you’ll want to record. Capsules can be refilled with toddler treats and tiny toys so the excitement doesn’t end with Night 8.
FAO Schwarz Bluey Toy Vending Machine
Surprise-and-delight gifting meets everyone’s favorite Blue Heeler with this exclusive FAO Schwarz Bluey Toy Vending Machine. Filled with 12 colorful capsules (mom & dad can take a few out and make it 8 for the eight nights of Hanukkah), each hiding a collectible character from the hit show, this interactive gift brings the thrill of mystery toys right into your living room.
Kids twist the knob, dispense a capsule, and discover whether they scored a classic Bluey favorite or a rare, limited-edition figure. The best part? The reusable capsules can be refilled again and again — turning every day into a “Let’s do one more!” adventure. It’s the perfect Hanukkah gift for Bluey fans, collectors, and anyone who loves fun surprises all eight nights long.
- Ages: 3+
- Available at: Target and FAO Schwarz
- Price: $39.99 – $50
Activity Idea: Only let them push ONE PER NIGHT! So that Hanukkah can keep glowing beyond the 8 days.
When you’re celebrating with a toddler, Hanukkah feels brand new again.
Every night is a milestone. Every gift is a treasure. Every messy moment is memory-making at its finest.
This is the year the Festival of Lights shines directly in his eyes — and in our hearts.
And honestly?
We’ve never loved this holiday more.
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