The eight nights of Hanukkah deserve an app for every evening. The holiday is a time for celebrating with friends and loved ones, lighting a candle for each night on a menorah, and these smartphone apps can add some joy, education, art, and amazement to your family's free time. Download for free or a small fee and find fun at your fingertips. Hanukkah is now high-tech.

Rusty Brick

Menorah – Spread the Chanukah Light

Light up the holiday with the aid of an app. This handy app will remind you how many candles to light and how to do so in the customary manner. Along with info about candle lighting, Menorah – Spread the Chanukah Light app will play songs and prayers in both Hebrew and English. Tradition meets touchscreen with a menorah made modern.

Cost: Free

Azoombi

iGevalt – AR Dreidel

Spinning the dreidel is a Hanukkah tradition kids have enjoyed for generations. But today's youth is all about high-tech fun, making iGevalt the perfect modern holiday game. The AR simulator lets you spin the phone as you would a real dreidel and you find out what you "land on" right on the screen. Spinning the dreidel just got smoother.

Cost: Free

Hanukkah Smiles

Hanukkah Smiles

Share Hanukkah-themed stickers via text with friends and loved ones this season via Hanukkah Smiles. From menorahs to dreidels to snowflakes to stars, these virtual presents are festive and fun. Notes sharing a "Happy Hanukkah" and glittering gelt goodies are now text-able, so sending a smile takes just a second.

Cost: $.99

MotionTale

All in One Hanukkah

Use the All in One Hannukah app to teach kids all about the Jewish traditions and the meaning of Hanukkah through interactive games, trivia, and songs. From trivia to karaoke renditions of traditional tunes, this all-inclusive app makes the holiday a teachable tool to make learning fun.

Cost: $1.99

Hanukkah Sunrise Sunset

Hanukkah Sunrise Sunset

This themed app changes the background of your smartphone based on the time of day with a Hanukkah backdrop that's wintery and wonderful. A simple menorah, snow, and the changing sky will give your phone the feeling that Hanukkah is upon us. Tap on the screen for seasonal sounds and swipe to watch the snow blow. Watch as the colors change throughout the day and feel the spirit as it lights up your screen.

Cost: Free

Agnes Ng

250 Jewish Recipes

Food always goes hand-in-hand with Hanukkah. With 250 Jewish Recipes, making something special for the family is just a tap away. Down to every detail, these recipes are easy to follow and even easier to eat. From appetizers to desserts, these Jewish foods are categorized and can be saved according to your favorites — so you can make them at home in your own kitchen. Be sure to tap the Hanukkah tab for treats especially for the season.

Cost: $1.99

Twinland

Shalomoji – Jewish Emojis

Make your Hanukkah texts even more timely when you use Shalomoji to enhance your communication. These festive emojis help celebrate the holiday but can be used year-round to add flair to your back-and-forth messaging. From menorahs to matzoh balls, Yiddish sayings, and more, these emojis are extra-special come Hanukkah time.

Cost: $1.99

Midnight Illusions

Hanukkah Coloring Book

Kids and adults alike will enjoy coloring the modern way, right on a smartphone or tablet. This Hanukkah, the Hanukkah Coloring Book is filled with more than 25 pictures of Hanukkah presents, menorahs, latkes, and more waiting blank for a big splash of brightness. Use your creativity to make art the modern way and save your work on your camera roll to print out or share online.

Cost: Free