Rules for Dreidel:

  • Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15) such as pennies, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, matchsticks, or as we used, Mini-Nilla Wafers!
  • At the beginning of each round, every player puts one game piece into the center. Also, every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one in the pot.
  • Every time it’s your turn, spin the dreidel once (or flick the spinner). Depending on the outcome, you give or get game pieces from the pot:

a) Nun means “nisht” or “nothing.” The player does nothing.
b) Gimmel  means “gantz” or “everything.” The player gets everything in the pot.
c) Hey means “halb” or “half.” The player gets half of the pot. (If there is an odd number of pieces in the pot, the player takes half of the total plus one).
d) Shin (outside of Israel) means “shtel” or “put in.” Peh (in Israel) also means “put in.” The player adds a game piece to the pot.

  • If you find that you have no game pieces left, you are either “out” or may ask a fellow player for a “loan.”
  • When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!

It’s really easy and really fun… and while you can play with the traditional chocolate Hanukkah gelt, Mini-Nilla Wafers give you much less guilt!

Celebrating Hanukkah and learning the Dreidel Game! #snackpackmixins #ad @Walmart

Addie LOVED learning a new game… and getting a tasty snack, too! You can make this awesome, delicious game at home with your kids and save while you do it with the Ibotta app! Making the holidays a delectable learning experience is the best fun you can have! How do you teach your children about Hanukkah? Share in the comments!