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Despite our varied backgrounds, cultures, and religions, a common theme is present during the holiday season. Sharing our beliefs and traditions with the children in our lives is at the forefront of everything we do. We do this through shared family meals and traditions passed on through the generations. Even through the songs we sing, we're able to keep customs alive and thriving.
Here are 6 of the best Hanukkah and Kwanzaa songs for kids that include both traditional favorites and versions with a more modern twist.
Fun songs for Hanukkah that kids will love
The miracle of Hanukkah refers to what happened after Judah Maccabee and his brothers formed a small army to defeat Antiochus, the King of Syria. They fought the Syrian army for their religious freedom. Upon defeating the Syrian army, the Maccabees reclaimed their temple in Jerusalem. Despite only finding enough oil for one night; the lamps miraculously continued to burn for eight days and eight nights. Families light the candles of Hanukkah eight nights as a reminder of God's love and the miracle that occurred in 166 BCE.
1. Upon lighting the menorah, Jewish families say the blessings or Hanukkah prayer. They sing "Ma'oz Tzur" to celebrate the Maccabees' triumphant fight. This version of "Rock of Ages, (Ma'oz Tzur)" by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nicolette Robinson is a modern take on a classic Hanukkah song.
More Hanukkah songs to enjoy with your kids:
2. Theodore Bikel who starred in the Broadway version of Fiddler on the Roof, often sang the popular "Chanuka, Oh Chanuka" throughout his career. This song celebrates the joys of playing with dreidels, eating latkes, and lighting the menorah.
3. "Chanukkah" is a fun bop by Six13 set to the tune of Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" and tells the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil burning for eight nights. The song also includes a quick summary of how to play dreidel.
4. This a capella version of the "Dreidel Hanukkah" song by Shir Soul is a fun version that includes beat-boxing, harmonizing, and an interesting mix of melodies and styles that kids will love.
Dreidel is not only sung about in one of the best Hanukkah songs for kids, but it is also a fun game played during Hanukkah. Players place some chocolate (often gelt) or another treat in the center of the table. Each person takes a turn spinning the dreidel. Depending on which symbol they land on, their turn is either skipped, they get half of the pot, they have to put in a piece of candy or treat or they get to take the whole pot.
Marti, of the Youtube channel Everyday Jewish Mom, offers an easy-to-understand dreidel tutorial. "The dreidel [sic] is a four-sided top with four Hebrew letters on there that go in a specific order. נ (nun), ג (gimel), ה (hei), ש (shin). It stands for the phrase 'nes gadól hayá sham' which means, a 'great miracle happened there,' to remind us of the miracles of Hanukkah," she explains in her YouTube video.
The best Kwanzaa songs for kids
Kwanza is a week-long celebration that begins on December 26. African-Americans celebrate their African heritage and appreciate where they came from. They revel in how far they've come and look forward with hope to the future. Families come together to light the kinara candles each evening. Celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa is a great catalyst for creating a better future; this is a particularly fun activity for young children.
Civil rights activist and educator, Mary Mcleod Bethune said, "Our children must never lose their zeal for building a better world." Kwanzaa provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. These Kwanzaa songs are an engaging way to begin teaching these important lessons to your children.
5. "The Happy Kwanzaa Song" by the Fanoko Singers will have everyone up and dancing and learning the names of the seven days of Kwanzaa.
6. Celebrate the season of Kwanzaa with the uplifting, "A Kwanzaa Song" by Lovely Hoffman. In it, she sings about what each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa means.
How to bring holiday songs and music to life for kids
Bring the best Kwanzaa and Hanukkah songs to life for kids by incorporating a hands-on aspect to the songs. Crafting with your kids is a great way of engaging them. It can also spark interest and curiosity in the culture of others and the world around them.
This Kwanzaa drum with a Kente cloth from Gina Smith comes together quickly and is a great way to bring the songs of Kwanzaa to life for young children. If you're looking for a fun, sparkly paper-craft Menorah, try this Hanukkah activity from Arts and Crafts with Crafty Carol
Both Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are somewhat similar, as Nylah Burton points out in an article on the Hey, Alma blog. "For eight days, Jews light the menorah to celebrate resisting foreign oppressors who stole Jewish land in Israel, she wrote. "And for seven nights, people of African descent who celebrate Kwanzaa light the kinara to remember that even though we are a stolen people living on stolen land, we can still provide light and healing to the world."
