Hanukkah dreidel crafts for kids preschool activities usually require too much adult help and leave tables covered in glitter. I put this list together because finding holiday projects that little hands can manage independently is surprisingly difficult.
If you need to keep students engaged without losing your mind over prep work, these dreidel crafts for kids preschool setups are practical. As you scroll, look for the options using basic supplies you already have stashed away.
1. Popsicle Stick Dreidel
When you have an abundance of wooden sticks from past projects, this is an easy way to clear out the supply bin.
Materials to Gather
- Four regular wooden craft sticks per child
- One shorter craft stick for the top handle
- Liquid school glue and washable blue paint
How to Build It
- Glue the four main sticks together into a basic diamond shape.
- Let the frame dry, then attach the shorter stick straight down the middle.
- Once fully dry, let the children paint the wood.
2. Paper Plate Dreidel
Scrambling for a last-minute activity means turning to the trusty kitchen cabinet for supplies.
Crafting Supplies
- Sturdy white paper plates
- Child-safe scissors
- Blue sequins and non-toxic glue
Assembly Steps
- Cut out a large dreidel silhouette from the center of the paper plate.
- Squeeze a thick border of glue around the edges of the cutout.
- Have the children press blue sequins into the glue to practice their fine motor coordination.
3. Cardboard Box Spinning Dreidel
If your recycling bin is overflowing, grab those empty cereal boxes to make a toy that actually works.
What You Need
- Thin cardboard from food boxes
- A short, unsharpened pencil
- Markers for decorating
Making the Spinner
- Cut a 3-inch square out of the cardboard for each student.
- Draw intersecting lines to create four segments and let the kids color them in.
- Carefully push the pencil through the center of the square so they can spin it on the floor.
4. Marshmallow and Pretzel Edible Dreidel
Keeping toddlers focused right before snack time is tough, so making a craft they can eat solves two problems at once.
Snack Ingredients
- Large vegan marshmallows
- Straight pretzel sticks
- Chocolate drop candies (like chocolate kisses)
Putting It Together
- Push a pretzel stick halfway into the top of a marshmallow to act as the handle.
- Use a tiny dab of frosting to attach the chocolate candy to the bottom.
- Let the frosting harden for a few minutes before the kids eat their holiday snack.
5. Foam Sheet Dreidel Magnet
For a project parents can actually keep on the fridge, these soft shapes hold up much better than regular paper.
Necessary Items
- Colorful foam sheets (blue, yellow, and white)
- Adhesive magnetic strips
- Glitter glue pens
Construction Steps
- Pre-cut the foam sheets into traditional dreidel shapes to save time.
- Let the preschoolers use glitter glue to draw lines or dots on the front.
- Once the front dries, peel the backing off the magnetic strips and press them onto the back.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Dreidel
Finding a use for empty bathroom rolls is a teacher survival skill, and this works out perfectly for a 3D shape.
Required Materials
- Clean cardboard tubes
- Paper straws
- Blue markers or crayons
Folding Instructions
- Flatten the cardboard tube and crease the edges, then pop it open to form a square box shape.
- Have the kids color the outside of the tube completely blue.
- Slide a paper straw horizontally through the middle of the tube to finish the spinner.
7. Tissue Paper Suncatcher Dreidel
Winter mornings can feel gloomy, but bright window decorations bring some much-needed color into the room.
Craft Components
- Clear contact paper
- Blue and yellow tissue paper squares
- Black construction paper frames
Assembly Process
- Cut a dreidel outline out of the black construction paper to act as a border.
- Stick the frame onto a sheet of sticky contact paper.
- Have the students fill the sticky center by layering the small tissue paper squares.
8. Felt Dreidel with Velcro Letters
Circle time needs hands-on props to hold their attention, and this matching activity doubles as a fun craft.
Activity Prep
- Stiff blue felt and soft yellow felt
- Velcro dot stickers
- Fabric scissors
Creating the Game
- Cut a large dreidel base out of the stiff blue felt.
- Cut four small squares from the yellow felt to represent the Hebrew letters.
- Attach velcro dots to the yellow squares so the kids can stick them onto the blue base.
9. Clothespin Dreidel Spinner
Drying racks get full fast, so making something that can clamp onto a string banner saves a lot of table space.
Project Supplies
- Wooden clothespins
- Thick cardstock paper
- Washable markers
Making the Clips
- Cut small dreidel shapes out of the thick cardstock paper.
- Let the children color the paper shapes however they want.
- Glue the finished paper shape to the side of a wooden clothespin.
10. Wine Cork Stamped Dreidel Garland
Leftover items from adult craft night can easily become a great stamping tool for toddler hands.
Stamping Tools
- Clean, dry wine corks
- Metallic silver and blue paint
- Long pieces of yarn
Stamping Process
- Pour small puddles of the metallic paint onto paper plates.
- Show the kids how to dip the flat end of the cork into the paint and stamp it onto pre-cut paper dreidels.
- Once the paint is dry, punch a hole in the top of each shape and string them on the yarn.
11. Salt Dough Dreidel Keepsake
Parents love getting homemade ornaments they can pull out every winter to hang in the house.
Dough Recipe Items
- Flour, salt, and water
- Dreidel-shaped cookie cutters
- Blue ribbon
Baking Steps
- Mix the salt dough and have the kids press the cookie cutter firmly into the flattened dough.
- Ask them to gently press their thumbprint right into the center of the shape.
- Poke a hole at the top, bake until hard, and thread a blue ribbon through it for hanging.
12. Button Collage Paper Dreidel
Sorting small items helps build hand strength before writing, making this a smart choice for morning table work.
Collage Materials
- A printed paper dreidel template
- An assortment of blue and white buttons
- Liquid school glue
Sorting and Gluing
- Give each child a small bowl of mixed buttons.
- Have them apply drops of glue inside the lines of their paper template.
- Instruct them to fill the shape entirely by pressing the buttons into the glue spots.
13. Paper Loop Dreidel Ornament
Scissor practice doesn’t have to mean random scraps of paper everywhere when you give them a specific folding task.
Folding Supplies
- Blue construction paper strips
- Child-safe staplers
- Hole punchers
Assembling the Loops
- Hand out the pre-cut paper strips and let the kids bend them into small teardrop loops.
- Help them staple three or four loops together at the top to mimic the wide part of a dreidel.
- Punch a hole at the top and add a string for them to hang it up.
14. Egg Carton Dreidel Tops
Saving those breakfast cartons finally pays off for this clever little spinning toy.
Spinning Supplies
- Empty cardboard egg cartons
- Short, thick crayons
- Blue watercolor paint
Crafting the Toys
- Cut out the individual cups from the egg carton so each child gets one.
- Let them use watercolors to paint the outside of their carton cup blue.
- Poke the thick crayon through the bottom of the cup to act as the spinning point and handle.
15. Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Dreidel
Threading and wrapping motions are exactly what tiny fingers need to practice gripping things firmly.
Wrapping Needs
- Sturdy cardboard dreidel cutouts
- Thick blue and silver yarn
- Tape
Wrapping Method
- Tape one end of the yarn firmly to the back of the cardboard cutout.
- Show the children how to wrap the yarn around the cardboard in different directions until it looks full.
- Cut the string and tuck the loose end under the wrapped layers so it stays secure.
16. Foam Block Stamped Dreidel Banner
Covering a whole table in paper lets a big group work together without arguing over who gets what.
Banner Supplies
- A large roll of white butcher paper
- Square foam blocks
- Washable paint in shallow trays
Group Activity Steps
- Cut the giant butcher paper into the shape of a massive dreidel and tape it to the floor.
- Have the kids dip the flat sides of the square foam blocks into the paint trays.
- Let them stamp the blocks all over the giant paper to create a collaborative holiday banner.
FAQs
What type of paint works best for these projects?
Washable tempera paint is the smartest choice for a preschool setting. It dries relatively fast and comes out of clothes easily when accidents happen.
How long do the edible versions last?
If you make the marshmallow and pretzel variations, it is best to eat them the exact same day. The pretzels will get soggy if you try to store them overnight in a plastic container.
What age is most appropriate for these activities?
Most of these are geared toward ages 3 to 5. You can modify the tasks by pre-cutting the shapes for the younger toddlers, while the 4 and 5-year-olds can handle the scissors on their own.
Comparison of Classroom Mess Levels
| Craft Type | Mess Level | Drying Time | Best For |
| Paper Plate Seqiuns | Medium | 30 minutes | Fine motor skills |
| Foam Sheet Magnets | Low | 10 minutes | Quick afternoon activity |
| Wine Cork Stamping | High | 1 hour | Messy sensory play |
I hope these ideas help you get through the holiday season with a little less stress and a lot more fun in the classroom. The trick is to just use what you have and let the kids lead the creative process.
If you found these ideas helpful for your classroom or home, save this pin to your Hanukkah boards so you can quickly find them again when you need a fast activity next year.