Hanukkah preschool activities often require heavy prep and leave you sweeping up glitter for days. I created this guide because finding simple, low-mess crafts that young kids can actually finish on their own is surprisingly hard during the busy holidays.
If you need ways to keep toddlers entertained while frying latkes, these projects rely on basic household items. You will discover hanukkah activities preschool free options that are easy to set up and totally manageable for tiny hands.
1. Paper Plate Menorah
Getting out the glue sticks is always a win when you have a folded paper plate ready to go. This sturdy base stands up on its own, making it a great piece to display on the kitchen counter once dry.
Essential Supplies
- One white paper plate (cut in half)
- Blue construction paper for candles
- Orange tissue paper for flames
- Child-safe glue stick
Assembly Steps
- Fold the half paper plate to create a rocking base.
- Have your child apply glue to the back of nine pre-cut paper candles.
- Stick the candles along the straight edge of the folded plate.
- Crumple small pieces of orange tissue paper and glue them above each candle to represent the flames.
2. Clothespin Menorah Candles
When fine motor practice needs to feel like playtime, painting wooden pegs does the trick. Clipping the finished pieces onto a cardboard strip gives toddlers a sense of accomplishment as they “light” a new candle each night.
Craft Materials
- Nine wooden spring clothespins
- Blue and yellow washable finger paint
- A sturdy strip of thick cardboard
How to Make It
- Let your child paint the wooden clothespins using the blue washable paint.
- Once dry, have them dip just the very top tip of each clothespin into the yellow paint.
- Allow the yellow paint to dry completely.
- Encourage them to pinch and clip each painted peg onto the cardboard base.
3. Popsicle Stick Star of David
If you want a window decoration that won’t shatter, interlocking craft sticks is the safest route. Kids love the process of painting the wood, and you end up with a classic holiday symbol to hang up.
Project Items
- Six standard wooden popsicle sticks
- Light blue acrylic or tempera paint
- Liquid school glue
- Silver string or yarn for hanging
Building Instructions
- Paint all six popsicle sticks blue and leave them on wax paper to dry.
- Glue three sticks together at the corners to form a simple triangle.
- Repeat the process with the remaining three sticks to create a second triangle.
- Flip one triangle upside down and glue it over the other to form the six-pointed star.
- Tie a loop of silver string through the top point once the glue sets.
4. Tissue Paper Dreidel Suncatcher
Keeping little fingers busy on a cold afternoon works best when they can tear paper into tiny pieces. The sticky contact paper grabs every scrap easily, which means less sweeping for you later.
What You Will Need
- Clear contact paper
- Scissors
- Blue, white, and silver tissue paper
- Black construction paper for the border
Step-by-Step Guide
- Cut out a large dreidel outline frame using the black construction paper.
- Peel the backing off a sheet of clear contact paper and lay it sticky-side up.
- Press the black frame onto the sticky surface.
- Let your child tear the tissue paper and stick the pieces inside the frame.
- Seal the design with a second sheet of contact paper and trim the excess edges.
5. Egg Carton Menorah
Empty cardboard containers usually go in the recycling bin, but they actually make excellent bases for oversized candles. This bulky project is highly satisfying for kids because it feels substantial to hold and carry around.
Supplies to Gather
- One empty cardboard egg carton
- Nine large craft sticks
- Blue marker or paint
- Yellow construction paper
Crafting Steps
- Cut an egg carton down so only nine cups remain in a row.
- Turn the carton upside down and cut a small slit into the top of each bump.
- Have your child color the craft sticks blue.
- Cut out nine small flame shapes from the yellow paper and glue them to the stick tops.
- Slide the sticks into the carton slits to stand them upright.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Hanukkah Candles
Saving empty tubes finally pays off when you need chunky items that toddlers can easily grip. Wrapping the rolls requires a bit of coordination, but the resulting large 3D candles are very fun to stack and arrange.
Required Materials
- Nine empty toilet paper tubes
- Blue construction paper
- Clear tape
- Stiff yellow felt for the flames
Assembly Directions
- Wrap each cardboard tube in blue construction paper and secure it with a piece of tape.
- Cut large, teardrop-shaped flames out of the yellow felt.
- Cut a small, half-inch slit on opposite sides of the top rim of each wrapped tube.
- Slide the bottom of the felt flame into the slits so it stands tall.
- Arrange the finished rolls in a straight line across a tabletop.
7. Cardboard Foil Gelt Coins
Finding shiny materials around the kitchen instantly turns a basic cutting exercise into a treasure hunt. Wrapping these little circles helps develop finger strength, and they are completely safe for pretend play.
Everyday Items Needed
- Thin cardboard (like a cereal box)
- Aluminum foil
- A gold or yellow permanent marker (optional)
- A small round cup to trace
Instructions to Follow
- Trace the rim of a small cup onto the cardboard to draw multiple circles.
- Cut out the cardboard circles carefully.
- Tear the aluminum foil into small squares that are slightly larger than the circles.
- Show your child how to place the foil over the cardboard and fold the edges tightly around the back.
- Lightly color over the foil with a yellow marker to give them a golden tint.
8. Felt Board Menorah
For parents who want to avoid wet paint entirely, fabric shapes offer a totally dry alternative. The pieces stick to the board naturally, allowing kids to practice “lighting” the candles independently over and over again.
Materials List
- One large piece of stiff black felt (for the background)
- Light blue felt for the base and candles
- Orange felt for the flames
- Fabric scissors
Preparation Steps
- Cut out a large menorah base shape from the blue felt.
- Cut nine identical, rectangular candle shapes from the remaining blue felt.
- Snip out nine small teardrop shapes from the orange felt.
- Lay the black background flat on the floor or tape it low on a wall.
- Let your toddler arrange the pieces onto the black background to build their own setup.
9. Pipe Cleaner Dreidel Shapes
Bending flexible stems into shapes requires zero clean-up and keeps kids occupied at the kitchen table. It is a highly tactile project that naturally introduces basic geometry like squares and triangles.
Things You Will Need
- Blue and silver pipe cleaners (chenille stems)
- Child-friendly safety scissors
Shaping Instructions
- Take one blue pipe cleaner and bend it into a square shape for the top half of the dreidel.
- Twist the ends together to secure the square.
- Use half of a silver pipe cleaner and bend it into a triangle, attaching it to the bottom of the square.
- Take a small, straight piece of blue pipe cleaner and twist it onto the top of the square for the handle.
- Create multiple shapes in different sizes to make a whole collection.
10. Paper Chain Hanukkah Garland
Building room decor becomes a collaborative effort when everyone links their own loops together. The repetitive motion of threading and taping is very calming for toddlers and yields a massive decoration quickly.
Essential Supplies
- Blue, white, and silver construction paper
- Clear tape or a toddler-safe stapler
- Scissors
How to Assemble It
- Cut all the construction paper into long, two-inch wide strips.
- Take one blue strip, curl it into a circle, and secure the ends with a piece of tape.
- Slide a white strip through the blue circle, loop it, and tape the ends closed.
- Continue threading new strips, alternating colors, until the chain reaches your desired length.
- Hang the finished garland loosely across a window or doorway.
11. Cardboard Latke Frying Pan Craft
Pretend play gets an upgrade when children can flip their own fabric food in a handmade skillet. It connects them to the cooking traditions of the holiday while keeping them safely away from the hot stove.
Crafting Items
- One sturdy paper plate
- A wide strip of thick cardboard
- Silver foil tape or gray paint
- Brown felt or craft foam (for latkes)
- Heavy-duty tape
Making the Toy
- Tape the wide cardboard strip securely to the bottom edge of the paper plate to form a handle.
- Cover the plate and the handle entirely in silver foil tape or gray paint to make it look like a pan.
- Cut rugged, wavy circle shapes out of the brown felt to represent the latkes.
- Toss the felt latkes into the finished pan.
- Show your child how to gently toss and catch the felt pieces.
12. Star of David Craft Stick Mobile
Hanging finished projects from the ceiling saves wall space and gives the room a festive feel. Watching the painted stars slowly spin catches a toddler’s attention for much longer than a flat drawing.
Project Materials
- Multiple popsicle sticks
- Blue and white paint
- Glue
- A sturdy plastic clothes hanger
- Thin blue ribbon
Assembly Steps
- Build at least three craft stick stars (glue two triangles together for each).
- Paint the stars in alternating shades of blue and white.
- Once fully dry, tie a piece of blue ribbon to the top point of each star.
- Tie the other end of the ribbons to the bottom bar of the clothes hanger, varying the lengths.
- Hook the hanger onto a curtain rod or ceiling hook to let the stars dangle.
13. Foam Sheet Hanukkah Crown
Wearing the finished product always brings out extra smiles, especially when peeling stickers is involved. A flexible headband stays comfortably on their head while they run around the house playing holiday games.
What You Need
- Blue craft foam sheets
- Foam holiday stickers (stars, menorahs)
- A stapler
- Scissors
Putting It Together
- Cut two long, thick strips out of the blue foam sheet.
- Measure the strips around your child’s head and staple the ends together to form a fitted crown.
- Peel the backing off the holiday-themed foam stickers.
- Let your child decorate the front and sides of the blue crown.
- Cover any exposed staples with extra tape for safety before they wear it.
14. Plastic Lid Star Ornaments
Upcycling jar tops into hanging decorations stops them from ending up in the trash while building spatial awareness. The rigid edges of the lid give small hands a firm boundary to work within when gluing.
Supplies to Gather
- Clean, flat plastic jar lids
- Blue yarn or small pony beads
- Liquid glue
- A hole punch
- Ribbon for hanging
Crafting Guide
- Punch a single hole near the edge of the plastic lid.
- Squeeze a thick layer of liquid glue onto the inside surface of the lid.
- Have your child arrange small pieces of blue yarn or pony beads in the glue to form a star shape.
- Let the glue dry completely overnight until it turns clear.
- Thread a small ribbon through the punched hole to hang the finished ornament.
15. Menorah Shape Collage
Arranging pre-cut squares and rectangles helps with geometry basics before the glue ever touches the paper. It is a very visual way to explain the structure of the holiday candelabra without using any messy paints.
Materials Required
- One large sheet of white construction paper
- Various colors of pre-cut paper (rectangles, squares, and triangles)
- A glue stick
Steps to Complete
- Set the white paper on the table as a blank canvas.
- Provide a pile of long rectangles for the branches, squares for the base, and small triangles for the flames.
- Help your child lay out the shapes to resemble a menorah before gluing anything down.
- Once they like the design, let them lift one piece at a time to apply glue.
- Press the shapes firmly onto the white paper to finish the collage.
16. Paper Dreidel Gift Box
Folding a 3D container feels like magic to a four-year-old, especially when it holds real chocolate coins later. While an adult needs to handle the main folding, toddlers love taking charge of the coloring and the final assembly.
What You Will Need
- A printable dreidel box template (on heavy cardstock)
- Crayons or washable markers
- Double-sided tape
- Chocolate gelt (optional)
Construction Guide
- Print the dreidel box template onto a thick piece of white cardstock.
- Let your child color the flat template thoroughly with markers or crayons.
- Cut out the shape along the solid outer lines.
- Fold firmly along all the dotted internal lines to create the sharp 3D edges.
- Use double-sided tape on the small tabs to secure the box together, leaving the top open for treats.
FAQs
What age group is best suited for these holiday craft projects?
These specific projects are designed for children aged 2 to 5 years old. The activities focus on safe materials, large pieces for small hands, and simple steps that keep toddlers engaged without overwhelming them.
Do I need to buy expensive supplies for these projects?
Not at all. The materials focus heavily on upcycled items like egg cartons, paper plates, and empty cardboard tubes. Sticking to basic household goods keeps the costs low and the convenience high.
How can I make these crafts less messy at home?
If you want to completely avoid clean-up, swap out liquid paints and glues for alternatives.
| Craft Method | High Mess Option | Low Mess Swap |
| Coloring | Liquid finger paints | Washable markers or crayons |
| Attaching | Runny school glue | Double-sided tape or glue sticks |
| Decorating | Loose glitter | Peel-and-stick foam shapes |
Finding ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights with young children shouldn’t add stress to your daily routine. Sticking to simple materials you already have on hand makes the holiday much more enjoyable for both of you. You get to build traditions together without spending hours setting up complicated art stations.
If you want to keep these low-prep ideas handy for the upcoming holiday season, make sure to pin this list to your favorite holiday board. Having a go-to collection of activities will save you so much time when you need a quick distraction!