Paper Plate Hanukkah Menorah

My Nanny Kids loved making this paper plate menorah for Hanukkah. Let the kids paint the paper plate, candles, and flames themselves. Older children can cut out their own candles and flames. But you can cut the shapes for little kids and allow them to paste the candles to the back of the paper plate […]

“The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin” by Martha Seif Simpson and Make a Dreidel Craft

Weekly Trip to the Library “The Dreidel that Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah” is a folklore-inspired tale. In this story, a magical dreidel just won’t spin for greedy, spoiled children. The shopkeeper wonders: will it spin for another child — one who carries the true spirit of Hanukkah in his heart? “The Dreidel […]

Holiday Cardboard Picture Frames

Creative Wednesdays I typically buy a wooden frame for the children to decorate and put a photo in for a winter holiday gift for their parents. But this year I wanted to try to make the frames myself by recycling cardboard boxes from deliveries. If you care for older siblings this is a great project […]

“Kugel for Hanukkah?” By Gretchen M. Everin

Weekly Trip to the Library I love giving my Nanny Kids children’s books as gifts for the holidays. This makes a great book to give to children for Hanukkah but also fun to read to children of any faith. After reading this bright and cheerful book with your Nanny Kids make this noodle kugel recipe […]

The Christmas Menorahs by Janice Cohn

Inspiring Children’s Book in Wake of Hate Crime If you live in NJ like I do you couldn’t have missed the terrible antisemitic hate-crime in Jersey City this week that left 6 dead. The horrific tragedy required all local schools to have lock downs and terrified students in a catholic school across the street that […]

Sweet Potato Latkes

Cooking for Families Although I make them once a year for Hanukkah, I’ve never been a big fan of regular potato latkes. But I tried a new recipe that I will be using for Hanukkah this year. I made these absolutely delicious sweet potato (and a little bit of carrot) latkes. They are so sweet […]

Hanukkah Menorah Tea Light Craft

Creative Wednesdays Hanukkah, or Chanukah, begins this weekend. You and your nanny kids don’t need to be Jewish to enjoy making this holiday craft. Describe the symbolism of the menorah and why it’s used during Hanukkah. Explain to the children that In the second century BC the Jews rebelled against the Greek-Syrians who had denied […]

10 Best Hanukkah Children’s Books

Books Make the Best Holiday Gifts I think books are the best holiday gifts nannies can give to the children that are left in their care. Not only will the children and their parents enjoy the books, they are affordable for nannies or au pairs on a budget. Books are quality gifts because a love […]

Popsicle Stick Menorah

Creative Wednesdays The religious celebration of Hanukkah begins Sunday at sundown. The center of the celebration is the candelabra called a menorah. Hanukkah celebrates a miracle. After the Seleucid desecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, there was only enough sealed consecrated olive oil left to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one […]

10 Best Children’s Books for Hanukkah

Weekly Trip to the Library Books may be the best quality gift caregivers can give to the children in their care. Not only will the children and their parents enjoy the book, they are affordable for nannies or au pairs on a budget. Books are quality gifts because a love of reading increases academic success. […]