How to Play Hanukkah Games Online

If you're looking for fun, easy ways to keep kids (and adults!) entertained during Hanukkah, the Internet provides a great solution. There are hundreds of websites offering free games for the whole family, many of which combine reading practice with memory games and "spot the differences."

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Play Hanukkah Games Online Safely

1. Look for online games that don't require signing up. Many websites offering games are actually storefronts for places looking to capture cookie information to send you spyware or ads. Be especially wary of any website requiring personal information such as address, email and phone number.

2. Play some language games and try your hand at quizzes. These allow you to brush up on popular Hebrew words and find out how much you know about the holiday.

3. Don't bet anything other than free online tokens with no cash value. You are likely to run into websites that have turned some traditional Hanukkah games into opportunities for gambling. Not only is this against the spirit of the holiday, but it's also dangerous, as you're required to give out your credit card or bank information in order to open an account and be able to bet.

4. Download and install the latest version of Java in your computer. Many online games require it to run properly. Java should already be in your computer (it's part of the basic system), but you may need a free update to run newer games.

5. Go to Chabad.org for quite a variety of games with a family twist (see Resources below). They offer online Hanukkah versions of such games as Concentration, as well as quizzes and puzzles. Most of the games can be played one-on-one, against the computer, or between two players, taking turns.

Tips & Warnings

• Some websites allow you to bet "virtually," which means you play against other players (or against the computer) using chips provided by the website. The chips have no actual value and you don't need to pay for them, which means you can use them without running afoul of gambling regulations.
• Never give out your credit card number at an online website featuring games, even if they assure you that the card is only to verify age or identity.
• Keep your antivirus application running as you're playing games. In the unlikely case that a website has a virus or spyware on it, your computer should be able to detect it. On that same note, don't play on websites that require you to turn your antivirus software off to access the game.

Resources

• Collection of Hanukkah games from Chabad