Eight Hanukkah Gifts Under $8

Have you ever found yourself in a last minute frenzy trying to buy Hanukkah gifts for your kids? You know the feeling, one moment you're standing in the dollar section of Target or at the entrance of the local dollar store and suddenly you're home, unloading a big basket of who knows what and somehow you've spent a ridiculous amount of money. (No? Just us?)

This year take a deep breath, skip the mad rush to the stores, and let us do the work for you. We've curated a list of eight gift ideas, all for eight dollars or less that we promise your kids will actually use. The best part? All of these items can be purchased online, so this year's gift shopping can be done from the comfort of your couch--and you can wear your pajamas.

DREIDEL CRAYONS


image via ModernTribe

Cost: $5

Dreidel crayons--they're crayons and dreidels all in one! Great for keeping little hands occupied while out to eat or while you're making dinner. Grab some plain white paper, construction paper, butcher paper, or the nearest napkin and let kids spin the crayons and watch designs appear. Once their dreidel game is over, or while kids wait for their older siblings to pony up to the pot, they can use the crayons to sketch to their hearts delight. Get yours from ModernTribe. 

STORY CUBES


image via UncommonGoods

Cost: $7.50

Encourage your kids to tell stories and work together. This set of story cubes, or dice, provide the inspiration for millions, yes millions, of story combinations. If you’re a grown up who enjoys games like Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity, you’ll definitely want to “borrow” these. Actually just go ahead and get yourself a set.

HANUKKAH MAD LIBS

Cost: $4-$5

Introduce your kids to the belly-laugh-inducing activity that shaped your own childhood slumber parties. This special edition is Hanukkah themed so you can craft some seasonally appropriate gut-busters together. While MadLibs are totally silly, they're also something that the entire family can participate in and they actually encourage kids to brainstorm and cooperate with others. Don't feel bad if you save a few pages for your next grown up get-together too.

MAKE YOUR OWN PUZZLE KITS

Cost: $1-$6

Do you have a puzzle lover on your hands? Are they getting tired of their current collection? Grab a Make Your Own Puzzle Kit from a craft store and either draw or paint your own puzzle designs together or use photo printouts and Mod Podge to make unique puzzles with family photos and photo collages.

WASHI TAPE

Cost: $2-$5/roll

We know parents, we don’t get it either, but kids love this stuff. What is it? Well, it’s tape, but it’s cute tape. It’s tape with flair. For ideas on using the tape in kid-friendly crafts and projects, visit Play Ideas' list of 25 Creative Washi Tape Projects for Kids

EDUCATIONAL APPS

Cost: FREE!

If your kids are tech savvy and use a tablet or "borrow" your phone from time to time, surprise them by adding some apps meant just for them. BimBam has a bunch of special Jewish-themed apps that we love like Let's Bake Challah or Ark Escape, a game designed and made by other kids. You can also download our special Make It Grow app. Kids practice making the earth green by planting parsley and trees. If your kids are interested in coding or making their own apps and games, consider expanding their screen time allowance to let them learn and create games in Scratch.

SCRATCH PAPER


image via PBS

Cost: $6.99

Scratch paper is a fun, tactile activity that kids and grown ups can both get into. You can purchase ready to go packs or use this tutorial from PBS to make your own. Use the scratch paper to make decorations, artwork, or thank you cards.

 

QUIRKY SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Cost: $6.95-$7.95

Take a spin on traditional, utilitarian Hanukkah gifts like school supplies by getting something unique and special, like a rocket ship pen or a squiggle pen. Why? These gifts will get kids excited about using them to do things like homework! Plus a rocket ship pen is a fantastic way to plant that subconscious love of STEM fields. Don't we all want astronauts in the family?

Do you have any budget-conscious gift ideas? A favorite gift from your childhood that you buy for your kids every year? Join the conversation with us on Facebook.