12 Hanukkah Crafts Kids Can Make for the Eight Nights

These 12 Hanukkah crafts give kids handmade menorahs, dreidels, garlands and gift decorations to enjoy during the eight nights. Each project takes about 15 to 45 minutes, costs roughly $1 to $5 in supplies and works well for family crafting at home.

For preschoolers, start with fingerprint flames or paper chains. Older kids can paint wooden dreidels, shape clay decorations or create gift wrap. The ideas are grouped by what you want to make, so you can choose a quick afternoon activity or prepare several projects for the holiday.

Menorah Crafts for Little Hands

Paper Plate Hanukkah Menorah

Paint a paper plate blue and glue nine white paper candle shapes across the center, placing the shamash higher than the other eight. Cut yellow paper flames and add them as the holiday progresses. Preschoolers can help with gluing while adults handle cutting.

You need: Paper plate, blue paint, white and yellow construction paper, glue stick, scissors.

Cardboard Tube Menorah Display

Turn nine recycled cardboard tubes into a standing decorative menorah. Paint eight tubes blue and white, keep the shamash taller, and glue them onto a sturdy cardboard base. Twisted tissue-paper flames finish the display without using real candles.

You need: 9 cardboard tubes, thick cardboard, blue paint, yellow tissue paper, craft glue, scissors.

Fingerprint Flame Menorah Art

Draw a menorah with nine candle positions on white cardstock, including a raised shamash. Children stamp yellow and orange fingerprints above the candles to create glowing-looking flames. The finished painting makes a sweet keepsake for grandparents.

You need: White cardstock, blue marker, yellow and orange washable paint, paper plate, damp cloth.

Air Dry Clay Menorah

Shape a small oval base and nine short candles from air-dry clay. Attach the candles with slightly dampened clay joints and make the shamash taller. Once dry, paint the decoration blue, gold and yellow. Air-dry clay menorahs are decorative only and must never hold burning candles.

You need: Air-dry clay, water, blue and gold acrylic paint, yellow paint, paintbrush.

Dreidels and Handmade Decorations

Folded Paper Spinning Dreidels

Use a four-sided dreidel paper template to create a lightweight spinning toy. Cut, fold and glue the shape, then add a paper stem and the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hei and shin. Heavier cardstock holds its shape better during spinning.

You need: Cardstock, dreidel template, scissors, glue stick, pencil, markers.

Wooden Dreidel Painting

Give each child a plain wooden dreidel and let them paint the four sides in their favorite colors. Once dry, add the traditional Hebrew letters with a fine paint marker. The finished dreidels can be used for a family game.

You need: Unfinished wooden dreidels, craft paint, paintbrushes, fine paint markers.

Popsicle Stick Star of David

Paint six wooden craft sticks blue, white or silver. Glue three sticks into each of two triangles, overlap them to form a six-pointed Star of David, and attach a ribbon loop. Make several stars to decorate a doorway or wall.

You need: 6 wooden craft sticks, blue and white paint, craft glue, ribbon.

Hanukkah Paper Chain Garland

Cut blue, white and silver construction paper into strips about 1 inch wide. Glue the ends into loops, linking each new strip through the previous loop. Children can work together to make a garland long enough for a doorway or mantel.

You need: Blue, white and silver construction paper, glue stick, scissors, string.

Tissue Paper Star Window Art

Cut a large six-pointed star frame from blue cardstock and place it on clear contact paper. Fill the opening with overlapping blue and white tissue squares, then seal with another clear sheet. Tape the finished star to a sunny window.

You need: Blue cardstock, blue and white tissue paper, clear contact paper, scissors, tape.

Eight Nights and Handmade Gifts

Eight Nights Paper Pocket Garland

Fold eight cardstock rectangles into small pockets and decorate them with stars or dreidels. Clip the pockets to twine and tuck a family activity or handwritten message inside each one. Open one pocket every evening during Hanukkah.

You need: 8 cardstock sheets, 8 miniature clothespins, twine, glue stick, markers, small paper notes.

Stamped Star Hanukkah Gift Wrap

Cut a six-pointed star from craft foam and glue it onto a small cardboard block. Dip the stamp into blue paint and press stars across kraft wrapping paper. After drying, use the decorated paper to wrap small Hanukkah gifts.

You need: Kraft wrapping paper, craft foam, cardboard block, blue paint, school glue.

Handmade Dreidel Gift Tags

Trace a dreidel shape onto blue or white cardstock and cut out several matching tags. Decorate them with silver markers and star stickers, then punch a hole for ribbon. Write a name on the back before tying each tag to a wrapped gift.

You need: Blue and white cardstock, scissors, hole punch, silver marker, star stickers, ribbon.

Quick answers

What are easy Hanukkah crafts for preschoolers?

Paper plate menorahs, fingerprint flame art and paper chain garlands work well for ages 3 to 5. Prepare small pieces beforehand, use washable paint and allow about 15 to 25 minutes. Adults should supervise scissors, glue and small decorations.

Can children make a Hanukkah menorah?

Children can make decorative menorahs from paper plates, cardboard tubes or air-dry clay. Include eight candle positions plus a raised or separate shamash. Use paper flames only. Never place burning candles in homemade paper, cardboard or air-dry clay decorations, and keep crafts away from open flames.

What supplies do you need for Hanukkah crafts?

Construction paper, cardboard, washable paint, craft sticks, tissue paper and school glue cover many Hanukkah crafts. If you already own scissors and markers, about $5 to $10 in shared supplies can support several activities. Recycled cardboard keeps costs lower.

How do you plan crafts for eight nights of Hanukkah?

Choose eight projects and divide their supplies into separate bags before Hanukkah begins. Alternate quick paper crafts with longer decorating activities. Allow 15 to 45 minutes per project, plus drying time. You can also explore [[link:hub:holiday-crafts|more holiday crafts]] for family celebrations.

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