There’s only so much “Dreidel, Dreidel” a kid can play each Hanukkah season. Make the Festival of Lights a little more fun with these easy holiday craft projects. From gold dinosaur menorahs and “Menorahs By Mail” to pop-up cards and kindness chains—here are some creative ways to keep your little artists busy all eight nights.
Dreidel Pop-Up Card
Make your holiday cards stand out from the rest with this dreidel pop-up card that's way easier to make than it looks! All you need is cardstock paper, scissors and watercolor paint. Get the simple instructions at Madcrafty on Youtube.
Make an 8 Nights of Kindness Paper Chain
In Judaism, Tikkun Olam means "repairing the world through acts of kindness"—and it's one of the most important Jewish principles there is. This simple paper chain garland combines Tikkun Olam with the eight nights of Hanukkah. Each link of the chain contains a simple act of kindness that you and your kids can do each day, with one for every night of Hanukkah. Get the instructions (and the free printable) at CoffeeandCarpool.com.
Menorah By Mail
Got loved ones who celebrate Hanukkah far, far away? We love this idea from Martha Stewart magazine, which lets you send a mailable "menorah" with gifts for all eight nights of Hanukkah. All you need is a business-sized envelope to decorate as the menorah, with eight smaller envelopes to go inside (or make your own envelopes, like we did!). Your kids can put small gifts or sweet messages inside each little envelope. Get the details at Marthastewart.com.
Baby Footprint/Handprint Menorah
Is it baby's first Hanukkah? Mark the occasion by letting your little put his foot down... in clay! These baby handprint and footprint menorahs are easy to make and will work as a precious holiday decoration for years to come. Get the easy instructions at ReformJudaism.org.
Use LEGOs to Tell the Story of Hanukkah
Epic battle scenes! Death-defying miracles! Dramatic endings! There's a lot to the Hanukkah story that make it a riveting tale. How about giving your kids the challenge of re-enacting the holiday story with LEGOs? That's what this family did one year, after a Hanukkah gingerbread house led to a family tradition of LEGO holiday retellings. Get the story—and some inspiration—at Reformjudaism.org.
Menorah Flame Headpiece
Every little person at your Hanukkah gathering absolutely must wear one of these adorable menorah flame headpieces (Bonus points if you've got exactly nine kids.). There are no fancy instructions for this craft: Just cut strips of construction paper and affix a paper flame in the middle. Let your kids decorate their flame—glue and glitter make it really sparkle! Then, staple the strips at the ends according to each child's head size. Light the lights!
TP Tube Party Favors
Let the kids in on some of the holiday surprises by asking them to help make these fun party favors. Toilet paper tubes, paint, glitter glue and tissue paper (plus fun treats for stuffing into the tubes) are all that's needed to make these colorful treats that can be used over and over again. Creative Jewish Mom has the step-by-step instructions on how to make them.
Hanukkah Wrappnig Paper
What’s better than a Hanukkah gift? One that’s wrapped in special, homemade wrapping paper. Tori Avey has a great idea for a potato-stamped paper that the kids will have as much fun making as they do opening. Get more info here.
Sparkly Menorah
Everything is better with glitter! Kids will love constructing their own sparkly menorahs that use silver glitter, gold sequins, and glitter glue! You might be cleaning up stray glitter until long past Hanukkah, but the beauty of these keepsake menorahs will make it worth the mess. Get the instructions from this Creative Jewish Mom.
Candy Dreidels
It won't take much convincing to get kids on board for this craft, which doubles as a delicious dessert! These Hanukkah-themed treats are as yummy as they are adorable. The bite-sized desserts—they're made of just marshmallows, sprinkles, pretzels and chocolate—are the perfect treat to bring to any Hanukkah party or to serve after dinner at your own special bash. Food blogger Tori Avey has the easy no-bake recipe here. *Psst: These little edibles take just a few minutes to prepare!
The Menorasaurus
Why settle for an ordinary menorah when you can make one that's at once a candle-holder and a fearsome prehistoric reptile? This DIY "menorasaurus" may look store-bought, but making it is actually easier than you'd think. All you need is some spray paint, a plastic dinosaur and some hex nuts. Get the instructions (for this and other fun homemade menorahs) here.
Hanukkah Bath Set
Why let the Hanukkah fun stop after the dreidels stop spinning? Bring the menorah into the bathtub with this simple DIY foam bath set. Kids can help cut the shapes from foam boards, but the real fun comes in the tub when they can construct and deconstruct their menorahs, over and over again! Get the easy instructions from Simple Play Ideas.
—Melissa Heckscher
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