Looking for creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah for kids? From popsicle stick menorahs to acorn dreidels, we’ve rounded up 20 fun, simple craft ideas to bring the festival of lights to life at home.
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple. It runs for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev — a date that shifts each year on the Hebrew calendar, usually falling somewhere between late November and late December. Traditions include lighting the nine-branch candelabrum (the menorah) and playing with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top.
Whether you’re marking Hanukkah as a family tradition or introducing it to little ones for the first time, these craft ideas are a lovely way to get creative together.
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Hanukkah for Kids
#1. Handprint Hanukkah Craft
Image: Mom Endeavors
We love the simplicity of this menorah handprint craft from Mom Endeavors, which is ideal for little hands (pun intended!).
Popsicle Stick Menorah
Image: Creative Jewish Mom
Stockpile your popsicle sticks and make this cute crafty menorah from Creative Jewish Mom.
You can buy coloured craft sticks or have the kids colour in plain ones with markers. Creative Jewish Mom also has a glitter craft stick menorah that’s worth trying.
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Hanukkah Suncatcher
Image: Kiwi Crate
We love suncatchers — they’re the craft that just keeps on giving! This glue-free suncatcher from Kiwi Crate is simple to make, using a sticky contact sheet and coloured tissue paper.
Hanging Menorah Craft
Older kids will enjoy making this hanging menorah from Holidays Helper, using paper plates and construction paper. Let the kids “light” a candle each night of Hanukkah by adding a paper flame to an unlit candle — much safer than real candles and matches.
Painted Star of David
Image: Melissa & Doug
We love this toddler-friendly Star of David art project from Melissa & Doug.
Using masking tape, make a Star of David by overlapping two tape triangles, then let the kids loose with the paint. Once you peel off the tape, you’ll be left with a great piece of art.
Simple Cardboard Dreidel
Image: What Do We Do All Day
Make your own simple dreidel this year with the kids, using just cardboard and a pencil, like What Do We Do All Day. Now how easy is that?
Paper Plate & Clothes Peg Menorah
Image: Simple Play Ideas
Using paper plates and painted clothes pegs, make this kid-friendly menorah idea.
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Star of David Tin Can Luminaries
Older kids will enjoy making these Star of David tin can candle holders from Chai & Home. Draw your design on the can, then punch it out carefully with a hammer and nail (adult supervision needed for this one).
Dreidel Paper Dolls Garland
Image: Bringing Chesed Home
The kids will love making and decorating these cute dreidel paper dolls garland, which you can then string up and hang.
Hanukkah Candle Holders
Image: Creative Jewish Mom
Creative Jewish Mom has a great idea for layered tissue paper cut-outs that transform into colourful Hanukkah candle holders.
Popsicle Stick Star of David
Image: Punktorah
Craft a simple Star of David using popsicle sticks glued together, then paint and decorate it. Take things a step further with a Star of David bunting idea like this one.
If you don’t have popsicle sticks handy, collect some small sticks on a nature walk and glue them together to form your star, then decorate as Meri Cherry has done.
Acorn Dreidels
Ingenious! Hoard your acorn shells and add some modelling clay to make this clever dreidel craft from Growing Up Creative.
Watercolour Dreidels
Cut out some dreidel shapes from cardboard and paint them with watercolours like Creative Jewish Mom. String them together to form a Hanukkah garland, or hang them to make a mobile.
Colourful Tape Menorah
Image: Creekside Learning
Use different coloured sticky tapes (washi, masking, coloured duct tape, etc.) to make this colourful menorah from Creekside Learning.
Cardboard Roll Holder Menorah Craft
If you’re a fan of recycled crafts, it’s worth stockpiling cardboard roll holders for this one. Mini Monets & Mommies has a clever menorah craft using roll holders, paint and tissue paper for the “flame”.
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Macaroni Menorah
Image: SheKnows
With everyday kitchen cupboard items like macaroni and lentils, make this quick and easy macaroni menorah.
Stand-up Popsicle Stick Menorah
Another cute popsicle stick menorah is simply made by painting the sticks and numbering them with a glitter pen. Stand them up by gluing them to a covered cardboard container.
LEGO Menorah
Image: What Do We Do All Day
This LEGO menorah idea is ingenious — there’s even a cute mini-figure with a torch to light each “candle”.
Hanukkah Dreidel Wall Art
Image: Meri Cherry
Upcycle your kids’ artwork into a dreidel wall art display like Meri Cherry. If you don’t have any old paintings to hand, just get the kids to decorate fresh dreidel cutouts.
Edible Marshmallow Dreidel
Image: Martha Stewart
This edible craft is too good not to include — chocolate-dipped marshmallow dreidels from Martha Stewart.
Image: Hostess With the Mostess
Hostess with the Mostess has an alternative recipe for edible marshmallow dreidels, using pretzels instead of skewers and a chocolate kiss on top. Yum!
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More Hanukkah Ideas to Explore
If these crafts have got you in the Hanukkah spirit, take a look around for more seasonal inspiration — from paper plate crafts to indoor games for rainy afternoons, there’s plenty more to keep little hands busy this winter. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it each year as Hanukkah rolls around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these Hanukkah crafts suitable for?
There’s something here for every age. Simple ideas like handprint crafts and cardboard dreidels suit toddlers and preschoolers, while trickier projects like tin can luminaries or LEGO menorahs are better suited to older kids with a bit more patience and fine motor skill.
Do I need special materials to make these crafts?
Not at all — most of these ideas use things you probably already have at home, like popsicle sticks, paper plates, cardboard, tissue paper and paint. A few, like the acorn dreidel, just need a nature walk first!
When does Hanukkah start each year?
Hanukkah follows the Hebrew calendar, so the exact dates shift from year to year. It usually falls somewhere between late November and late December — it’s worth checking a current calendar for this year’s dates.
Are any of these crafts safe for young children to make unsupervised?
Most are, but a few — like the tin can luminaries, which involve a hammer and nail — need adult supervision. Always check a craft over before handing it to younger children.
Can these crafts be adapted for a classroom or group setting?
Yes — simple ones like the popsicle stick menorah, paper dreidels, and macaroni menorah work well for groups, as they use inexpensive, easy-to-source materials.
You Might Also Like
- 10 Cute Popsicle Stick Crafts for Kids
- Easy Paper Plate Crafts for Preschoolers
- Creative Toilet Roll Holder Crafts for Kids
- 15 Entertaining and Fun Indoor Games for Kids of All Ages
Have your say! What are your favourite ways to celebrate Hanukkah for kids? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
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