This Hanukkah brings with it three new Jewish episodes of kids shows from Disney alone. And in the last few years, we’ve really gotten a boon of wonderfully authentic and joyful Hanukkah TV episodes for our little ones. Yes, a lot of them are juxtaposed with Christmas episodes, or even feature Christmas within them, but they also have beautiful original songs, Hebrew and Yiddish expressions, and warm portrayals of the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Here are some of the best Hanukkah kids TV episodes you can currently stream with your family:
“Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends” season 3, episode 27, second segment: “Hanukkah Heist”
In this delightful episode, Spidey joins his Jewish superhero friend The Thing in helping his aunt Petunia (Jackie Hoffman) rescue her latkes after they’ve been captured by a gang of villains who threaten to uncover Petunia’s secret latke ingredient.
“SuperKitties” season 2, episode 14, second segment: “Hanukkah Rescue”
In this episode, the kitties have to save the Kittidale menorah after it gets stolen. It features a charming original song about Hanukkah lights.
Watch on YouTube (or on Disney+ starting December 18)
“Mickey Mouse Funhouse” season 3, episode 20, second segment: “Hanukkah at Hilda’s”
In this episode, Mickey and his friends get stranded at their friend Hilda Hippo’s house in the middle of a holiday storm. When they want to celebrate Christmas with her, they discover that Hilda doesn’t celebrate Christmas at all. The Hippo teaches them about her family’s Hanukkah traditions and even a couple of Jewish terms.
“Rugrats” season 4, episode 1: “A Rugrats Chanukah”
There is no more iconic Hanukkah special than this 1996 “Rugrats” one, which gave us the perfect line, “A Maccababy’s gotta do what a Maccababy’s gotta do.” The episode tells the story of Hanukkah through the show’s adorable cast of babies and toddlers.
“Blue’s Clues & You” season 4, episode 12: “A Blue’s Clues Festival of Lights”
Josh and Blue celebrate Hanukkah at Periwinkle’s house with dreidels, gelt and menorahs in this episode of “Blue’s Clues,” which is not only fun and informative but also features a banging original Hanukkah song.
“Me & Mickey” vlog “Dreidel Play” (2023)
This two-minute Mickey vlog teaches you the rules of dreidel and features Mickey humming “Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel.” Perfect for your Mickey-obsessed kids.
“Muppets Babies” season 3, episode 29: “Mitzvah for Miss Nanny”
Jenny Slate voices the Muppet babies caretaker Miss Nanny in this 3D animated reboot of the classic show. In this episode she teaches the Muppets about the different ways to celebrate Hanukkah, which include doing mitzvot, or good deeds.
“Blippi And The Holiday Snow Globe Movie” (2021)
In this delightful interfaith episode, YouTube star Blippi learns about Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. To learn about the Jewish Festival of Lights, he visits the Westside Jewish Community Center to learn from the experts.
“The Ghost and Molly McGee” season 1, episode 10, first segment: “Festival of Lights”
This is the second Jewish epsiode of this show about Molly and her ghost sidekick, and both episodes are deeply researched and enjoyable. Both feature Molly’s friend Libby Stein-Torres and does not only have a Hanukkah-like miracle, but also a lot of great jokes and genuine appreciation of the Jewish holiday.
“Rugrats” season 1, episode 14: “Traditions”
In this lovely interfaith episode from the “Rugrats” computer-animated reboot, we get to visit different holiday traditions of the families (and babies!) featured in the show. It all wraps up in a moving and inclusive candle-lighting led by Zayde, voiced by Henry Winkler.
“Elena of Avalor” season 3, episode 17: “Festival of Lights”
A Jewish princess, oh my! Latina Jewish Princess Rebecca and her family teach Elena of Avalor all about the Jewish traditions of Hanukkah in this festive episode.
“Shalom Sesame” episode: “The Missing Menorah”
The “Rechov Sumsum” (the Israeli version of “Sesame Street”) gang go hunting for a menorah in this diverting Hanukkah special that features actress Debi Mazar.
“Sesame Street” video: “Happy Hanukkah from Elmo and His Friends”
Elmo in a kippah, I repeat, Elmo in a kippah! In this special internet short, Elmo and his Jewish friend Charlie (Violet Tinnirello) talk about the meaning of Hanukkah.
“Pepper Ann” season 3, episode 6: “A Kosher Christmas”
In this episode of “Pepper Ann,” the redheaded teen has to choose between Hanukkah, which her mom celebrates, and Christmas, celebrated by her dad’s family — a decision that proves to be pretty much impossible.
“Arthur” season 5 special: “Arthur’s Perfect Christmas”
In this “Arthur” special, Muffy learns about Hanukkah from Francine, who is Jewish and shares the story of her family’s menorah, brought home from Poland, and their family’s Hanukkah traditions.
“Dash & Lily” season 1, episode 3: “Hanukkah”
Yes, “Dash & Lily” is a Christmas show, but it does have a side character who is in a Jewish klezmer punk band, and Jewish punk is heavily featured in the show’s Hanukkah episode, along with a little sprinkling of Hanukkah content. It’s delightful and festive, and it is based on a book by two Jewish authors.
“Even Stevens” season 1, episode 15: “Heck of a Hanukkah”
In this “It’s A Wonderful Life” inspired episode of “Even Stevens,” Louis, grounded after breaking the family’s Hanukkah presents, gets sent by his bubbe to see an alternative timeline in which he wasn’t born.
