Chanukah Babysitting Guide for 2026

Chanukah 2026 dates at a glance

• First candle: Friday, December 4, 2026, lit before sundown and before the Shabbat candles.
• Second candle: Saturday night, December 5, after Shabbat ends.
• Last (eighth) candle: Friday, December 11, again before the Shabbat candles.
• Chanukah ends: at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

This year both Friday nights fall during Chanukah, so if you have a sitter on either Friday, she will be in a home with a lit menorah and lit Shabbat candles at the same time. Plan for that.

Menorah safety is the main job

Candles are a real fire risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to about 5,900 home fires a year started by candles between 2020 and 2024. More than half began when something that can burn, such as curtains, decorations or paper, was too close to the flame, and in about one in five the candle was unattended or misused. NFPA's basic advice is to keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.

• Decide who lights. In most families, a parent lights before leaving, or the menorah is lit when the parents return. If you want the sitter to supervise the children lighting, say so and show her exactly where and how.
• Set the menorah up safely. Use a sturdy, non-flammable surface, often a tray on a windowsill or a table away from curtains, and keep it out of reach of small children and pets.
• Never leave a lit menorah alone. If the candles are lit, an adult stays in the room or the children move with the sitter to where she can see the flames.
• Tell her the extinguishing rule. Many families let Chanukah candles burn down on their own. Say whether the sitter may put them out if needed for safety; on Shabbat, explain that the candles are left alone unless there is real danger.
• Long sleeves and hair. Children love to lean in to watch. Tie back long hair and keep loose sleeves away from the flames.
• Know the exits. Show where the fire extinguisher is, and confirm the smoke alarms work.

Food, oil and allergies

• Frying stays with the parents. Latkes and doughnuts mean hot oil. Ask your sitter not to fry anything; leave food that only needs warming, and say how.
• Doughnuts and gelt. Sufganiyot often contain dairy, eggs and sometimes nuts. Chocolate coins are small and can be a choking risk for toddlers. List what each child may eat and how much.
• Kosher kitchen rules still apply. If latkes are served with sour cream, remind the sitter which dishes are dairy. Our printable kosher kitchen card makes this quick.

Easy Chanukah activities for a sitter

• Dreidel. Each player puts in one piece (raisins, buttons or chocolate chips). Spin: Nun = nothing, Gimmel = take all, Hey = take half, Shin (or Pey in Israel) = put one in.
• Paper menorah craft. Nine strips of paper on a base, with tissue-paper "flames" added night by night. No real fire needed.
• Chanukah story time. Leave out a favorite Chanukah picture book. Families in Greater Phoenix can sign up for free monthly Jewish children's books through PJ Library (see our Phoenix Jewish family resources).
• Count the nights. Younger children enjoy a simple chart where they add a sticker for each night.
• Gift rules. If presents are part of your tradition, tell the sitter whether any may be opened while you're out.

A short Chanukah note for your sitter

Copy this note onto your handoff sheet. For the general holiday checklist, read Babysitting on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.

Sources

• Hebcal: Chanukah 2026 dates and candle-lighting
• Chabad.org: Hanukkah 2026 FAQ (Friday lighting order)
• NFPA: Candle safety and candle fire statistics

General information for planning, last reviewed October 26, 2026. It does not replace emergency services, medical or legal advice.