How to Play Dreidel
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"How to Play Dreidel" is written for Kindergarten to 5th Grade (Ages 5-11). It also works a grade below or above: younger children can use it with an adult reading it aloud, and older ones as a quick refresher.
How to play dreidel for K to 5th grade: a one-page rules sheet with what you need, what nun, gimel, hei and shin mean, and the meaning of the letters. Part of our Hanukkah holiday activities collection.
How do I use this resource?
Read the rules together, then let small groups play with real dreidels or the paper dreidel craft. Post a copy at a game center so players can check the letters.
What students will practice
- Gives Kindergarten students seasonal counting, vocabulary, and fine-motor activities themed around Christmas and Easter.
- Builds early counting and matching skills alongside coloring and cutting practice that strengthens pencil control.
- Works as low-pressure seasonal filler for the days around a holiday break, not core skill instruction.
Curriculum Links
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FAQ
How do I use the How to Play Dreidel?
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Read the rules together, then let small groups play with real dreidels or the paper dreidel craft. Post a copy at a game center so players can check the letters.
What is the How to Play Dreidel?
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A one-page guide listing what you need (a dreidel, 10 tokens for each player such as gelt, buttons or raisins, and a pot), the turn rules and what each letter means: nun, nothing happens; gimel, take everything; hei, take half; shin, put one in. It also explains that the letters stand for the Hebrew words for "A great miracle happened there," and that dreidels in Israel use pe.
Can I use the How to Play Dreidel at home and in the classroom?
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Yes. We made it for Kindergarten to 5th Grade holiday activities, and it works the same at home or at school. Families print it for one child and keep it where they will use it every day. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.
How many Kindergarten to 5th Grade Hanukkah resources are there?
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10 printable resources, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.
What age are Hanukkah resources for?
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These are written for Kindergarten to 5th Grade students, roughly ages 5-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.
Can I use these Hanukkah resources for homeschool?
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Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a Kindergarten to 5th Grade classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.
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Resource Details
| Grade | Kindergarten to 5th Grade |
| Subject | Resources |
| Topic | Holiday Activities |
| Pages | 1 page |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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