Hanukkah Craft Ideas for Young Children

Hanukkah crafts can not only keep children entertained but also teach them some of the history and meaning of Hanukkah. Children can enjoy a crafting experience without even realizing they are learning.

Menorah:

The first easy, and inexpensive, craft project is a Menorah. While your child makes his or her very own Menorah you can explain the reason behind the eight days of Hanukkah and the lighting of the Menorah each night. Even better, use your child's Menorah this holiday season. Your child will feel special and the celebration should become more meaningful as they watch their own Menorah brightly light the evening.

Supplies:

Nine empty wooden spools that can be obtained from a craft store or from a collection of empty sewing spools you may already have. Sizes are not very important but have one spool larger than the rest.

Acrylic paint in shades of blue and white or silver

Sponge or small artist paint brushes

Have your child paint each of the spools in their choice of blue shades. When the spools are dry have your child paint each, except for the largest, with the numbers from one to eight. You may need to add some beeswax to the center of the spools if the opening is too large to hold the Menorah candles. For very young children you can get number stencils to apply instead of them having to paint them.

A variation on this is to make a non-lighting Menorah. Add nine colored pencils in place of the candles and place a small yellow rubber pencil tip eraser on the top of each colored pencil. The rubber erasers will look like candle flames.

Star of David:

Another simple and inexpensive project would be making a Star of David. If your child or children choose to make several you may use them as decorations for a table or hanging ornaments.

Supplies:

Six craft or clean popsicle sticks, per Star of David

Wood glue

One or more small artists paint brushes, one per child

Acrylic paint in shades of blue

Glitter, sequins and ribbons to decorate

Have your child paint their craft sticks before gluing. Allow each side and edges to dry completely. Then have your child glue three of their sticks together to form a triangle. Glue the other three sticks to form a triangle as well. When the triangles are dry place one on top of the other with one triangle pointing upwards and one pointing down. Glue in place. When the glue has fully dried your child can add glitter or sequins to decorate as they desire. Ribbons can be attached for hanging their decoration. As your child works on their project you can explain the history and meaning of the Star of David to them. If your children are old enough you can give them additional information of the significance of the Star of David in Germany in WWII. However this may be a lesson held for a better time if it may interfere with the enjoyment of Hanukkah.

　

Dreidel greeting cards:

Supplies:

Plain white paper or blank greeting cards

Colored paper, plain or patterned, in shades of blue, white or silver

Scissors

Glue

For very young children you may need to help with cutting out the rectangles of colored papers. Start with a rectangular piece of your colored paper. Place it plain side up and fold both corners at the bottom to form a triangle end. On the top, unfolded half of the paper, cut two slits, equal distance apart to go about one third of the way down the paper. Fold down the two outer sections of this top piece. Your child may glue or tape these sections down if needed. When you turn this paper over you will have a dreidel shape. Have your child glue their shape onto plain paper or a blank greeting card. They can add as many dreidels as they want in all sizes and colors. You child can then add their own greetings and give them to family and friends. These can also be used as place card settings for the family dinner table.

　

　

References:

http://kidscraftweekly.com/hanukkah_crafts.html
http://www.parents.com/holiday/hanukkah/crafts/menorah-craft/