Finding Hanukkah crafts for kids that do not end up in the trash is a real struggle. I put this list together because most ideas require expensive supplies or simply end up frustrating the little ones.
If you need simple projects to celebrate the eight nights, these setups use everyday items you already have. You will find everything from easy toddler activities to clever Hanukkah childrens crafts that actually look great on your fridge.
1. Classic Hanukkah Handprint Menorah
Paint projects can get messy, but this one is completely worth the quick cleanup. This easy hand prints activity turns your child’s hands into a meaningful holiday keepsake you can frame.
Supplies you will need
- Heavy blue cardstock paper
- Washable yellow and light blue paint
- A black marker for details
How to make it
- Cover both of your child’s hands in blue paint and press them side-by-side on the paper.
- Let the blue paint dry completely before moving on.
- Have them dip a thumb in yellow paint and press it above each finger to make the flames.
2. 3D Interlocking Paper Dreidel Garland
If you want festive decorations that kids can actually help build, try this simple paper approach. This Diy project adds a nice pop of color to the mantle without requiring any messy glue.
Materials required
- Thick construction paper in blue, white, and silver
- Kid-friendly scissors
- Clear fishing line or thin string
Steps to build
- Cut out flat dreidel shapes from the construction paper.
- Cut a small vertical slit at the top and bottom of each shape.
- Slot the pieces together to create a 3D effect, then string them up to hang.
3. Craft Stick Star of David
Sometimes the best activities use materials you already have sitting in a kitchen drawer. You can whip up this simple Star of david craft in just a few minutes before dinner.
What to grab
- Standard wooden craft sticks
- Wood glue or heavy craft glue
- Silver and blue acrylic paint
Crafting steps
- Paint six wooden sticks and let them dry on a paper towel.
- Glue three sticks together to form a triangle, and repeat with the other three.
- Invert one triangle over the other and glue them together to form the star.
4. Egg Carton 9-Flame Menorah
Empty egg cartons pile up fast, so put them to good use for the festival of lights. This is a wonderful preschool recycling activity that skips the real fire entirely.
Items needed
- An empty cardboard egg carton
- Yellow and orange tissue paper
- Blue washable paint
Putting it together
- Cut a row of nine cups from the egg carton and paint them solid blue.
- Tear the tissue paper into small squares and crumple them up.
- Glue one crumpled “flame” into each cup to light your safe menorah.
5. Air-Dry Clay Playable Dreidels
Store-bought toys are great, but kids love playing with things they molded themselves. Forming these Diy dreidel shapes is surprisingly good for building fine motor skills in younger kids.
Essential supplies
- White air-dry clay
- Blue watercolor paints
- A thin permanent marker
Molding instructions
- Roll a small piece of clay into a ball, then pinch the bottom to form a point.
- Flatten the top slightly and add a small clay stem.
- Once fully dry, paint it blue and draw the traditional Hebrew letters on the sides.
6. Paper Roll Hanukkah Wreath
Wreaths are not just for front doors, and this cardboard tube version is incredibly lightweight. Your kids can proudly hang their finished work on their own bedroom door.
Materials checklist
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Blue and silver paint
- A wire coat hanger or round cardboard base
Assembly process
- Cut the paper rolls into small rings and paint them in holiday colors.
- String the dry rings tightly onto the round frame.
- Attach a shiny Star of david cutout to the bottom for a festive touch.
7. Dreidel Picture Frame
Grandparents always appreciate a homemade gift during the busy holiday season. Cutting out this happy little frame gives you a great excuse to finally print those family photos.
What you need
- Stiff craft foam in yellow or blue
- Magnetic strips
- A printed family photo
How to assemble
- Cut a large dreidel shape out of the craft foam.
- Carefully cut a square window in the center of the shape.
- Tape the photo behind the window and stick a magnet on the back.
8. Clothespin & Craft Stick Menorah
When toddlers want to light the candles just like the adults, give them a safe alternative. This setup lets them clip on a new wooden “flame” every single night without any burn risks.
Crafting materials
- One flat wooden ruler or thick craft stick
- Nine wooden clothespins
- Yellow craft felt
Building steps
- Paint the wooden ruler blue to serve as the base of the menorah.
- Cut nine small flame shapes out of the yellow felt.
- Glue one felt flame to the top of each clothespin so kids can clip them on.
9. Toothpick Star of David Cards
Mailing out holiday greetings feels much more personal when your child designs the cover. It takes just a few wooden toothpicks to create a beautiful geometric shape that relatives will love.
Supply list
- Blank greeting cards or folded cardstock
- Standard wooden toothpicks
- Liquid school glue
Card making steps
- Use the liquid glue to draw two overlapping triangles on the front of the card.
- Have your child carefully drop the toothpicks onto the glue lines.
- Let it dry flat overnight before writing a Happy holiday message inside.
10. Wine Cork Menorah
Saving old corks finally pays off with this sturdy little holiday project. It sits totally flat on the table, making it a great centerpiece for the kids’ dinner table.
Materials required
- Nine standard wine corks
- Yellow mini pom-poms
- Strong craft glue
Construction steps
- Glue eight corks in a straight horizontal line.
- Glue the ninth cork directly on top of the center one to act as the shamash.
- Stick a yellow pom-pom on top of each cork to represent the glowing lights.
11. Free Printable Dreidel Match Game
Rainy holiday afternoons call for activities that require absolutely zero prep time. Just print out this free matching game and let the kids test their memory while you relax.
What you need
- A home printer
- Heavy white cardstock
- Scissors
Prep instructions
- Find a free printable holiday template online and print it on thick paper.
- Cut out the square cards along the provided dotted lines.
- Flip them all upside down on the floor and start matching the symbols.
12. Glitter Foam Star of David Suncatcher
Winter days can look a bit gloomy, so catching that afternoon sunlight brightens the whole room. This window decoration looks amazing when the light hits the blue tissue paper.
Gathering supplies
- Blue glitter craft foam
- Light blue and white tissue paper
- Clear contact paper
Assembly guide
- Cut out a hollow star frame from the glitter foam.
- Stick the frame onto a sheet of clear contact paper.
- Fill the empty space with squares of tissue paper, then seal it with another layer of contact paper.
13. Handprint Dreidel Wings
Capturing exactly how small your kids are right now is always a good idea. Adding sweet hand prints to a paper top turns a basic craft into a memory you will definitely save.
Items to grab
- Large blue construction paper
- White finger paint
- Safety scissors
Making the craft
- Cut a large classic dreidel shape out of the blue paper.
- Coat your child’s hands in white paint and press one on each side of the paper shape.
- Add a little silver glitter to the wet paint for extra holiday magic.
14. Felt Balance Menorah
Hard plastic toys can be loud, but felt activities are completely silent and sensory-friendly. Toddlers can safely “light” their own candles independently with this soft, flat board.
Craft supplies
- One large piece of stiff black felt
- Blue and yellow soft felt sheets
- Velcro dots
Putting it together
- Cut a menorah base out of the blue felt and glue it firmly to the black background.
- Cut nine small flame shapes from the yellow felt.
- Attach Velcro dots to the board and the flames so they can be easily placed and removed.
15. Salt Dough Star of David Ornaments
Baking salt dough is practically a rite of passage for childhood winter holidays. You can easily cut out Star of david shapes and paint them a shimmering silver to hang around the house.
Kitchen materials
- Flour, salt, and water
- A star-shaped cookie cutter
- Silver acrylic paint and ribbon
Baking instructions
- Mix the dough, roll it out flat, and stamp out the star shapes.
- Poke a small hole in the top of each one before baking them until hard.
- Paint them entirely silver and thread a blue ribbon through the hole for hanging.
16. Beaded Pipe Cleaner Dreidels
Keeping little fingers busy while you cook dinner is always a huge win. Stringing beads onto pipe cleaners is quiet, clean, and surprisingly engaging for preschool-aged children.
Necessary supplies
- Silver and blue fuzzy pipe cleaners
- Blue and white plastic pony beads
- Small plastic straws
How to build them
- Thread the colorful pony beads tightly onto a single pipe cleaner.
- Bend the beaded stick into a square shape, twisting the ends to secure it.
- Wrap a second pipe cleaner around a straw and attach it to the square to make the spinning handle.
FAQs
What are the best materials to keep on hand for fun Hanukkah crafts for kids?
Basic supplies are usually the best route. Keeping construction paper, wooden craft sticks, washable paint, and everyday recyclables like egg cartons will cover almost any project.
How can toddlers safely participate in lighting the menorah?
Interactive Chanukah crafts for kids are the safest option. Using clothespins on a ruler or sticking felt flames onto a board lets them mimic the tradition without any fire hazards.
How long do these DIY craft projects usually take?
It depends entirely on the materials used, as shown in the breakdown below.
| Craft Type | Setup Time | Mess Level | Best Age Group |
| Paper & Cardboard | 5 mins | Low | Preschoolers |
| Paint & Handprints | 10 mins | High | Toddlers & Up |
| Clay & Salt Dough | 20 mins | Medium | Elementary |
| Beads & Felt | 5 mins | Low | Toddlers |
Creating beautiful memories does not require you to turn your home into a messy art studio. These simple projects allow you to celebrate the season with your children while actually keeping your sanity intact.
If you loved these simple holiday ideas, save this post to your Pinterest board so you have it ready when the eight nights begin. Don’t forget to share your favorite creations in the comments below!