The winter season brings a unique glow to homes around the world, but few traditions are as luminous and spirited as Hanukkah. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah is a time of warmth, family storytelling, and the celebration of a miracle that occurred over two thousand years ago.
As parents and educators, finding ways to engage children with the history and values of the holiday is essential. What better way to do that than through hands-on creativity? We have compiled a list of 20 heartwarming Hanukkah crafts that range from simple paper projects for toddlers to more intricate designs for older children. These crafts don’t just decorate a home—they build memories.
What is Hanukkah and Why is it Celebrated?
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is a Jewish festival that has become a beloved cultural cornerstone. It is an eight-day celebration that begins on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the dates change slightly every year on the Gregorian calendar, usually falling between late November and late December.
The Miracle of the Oil
The story of Hanukkah dates back to the second century BCE. After the liberation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt, the Jewish people wanted to rededicate their sacred space by lighting the eternal flame. However, they found only a single jar of pure olive oil—enough to last for just one day.
In what is now celebrated as the Miracle of Hanukkah, that tiny amount of oil burned brightly for eight full days, giving the people enough time to prepare a fresh supply. Today, we celebrate those eight days by lighting the Menorah (or Chanukiah), playing games, and eating foods fried in oil to remember the miracle.
20 Creative Hanukkah Crafts for the Whole Family
1. The Classic Paper Plate Menorah
This is a perfect “first craft” for preschoolers. By cutting a paper plate in half, you create a sturdy, rocking base for a menorah.
- Why it’s great: It allows children to “light” their own candle each night by gluing on a yellow paper flame or a gold sequin.
2. Handprint Menorah Keepsake
Nothing captures a moment in time like a handprint. Paint your child’s palms blue and have them press their hands onto paper with thumbs overlapping (the thumbs form the central Shamash candle).
- Significance: It creates exactly nine “candles” using ten fingers and one overlapping thumb.
3. Watercolor Dreidel Art
The dreidel, or sevivon, is a four-sided spinning top. Have children draw large dreidel outlines and fill them with vibrant blue and silver watercolors.
- Pro Tip: Sprinkle a little salt on the wet paint to create a “snowy” or “sparkly” texture.
4. Stained Glass Star of David
Using blue tissue paper squares and clear contact paper, kids can create a suncatcher in the shape of the Magen David (Star of David). Hang it in a window to let the winter sun shine through.
5. Clothespin Menorah (Interactive)
Paint nine clothespins in shades of blue and silver. Clip them onto a sturdy piece of cardboard or wood.
- Interactive Play: Children can clip on a new “candle” every evening as the real menorah is lit.
6. Recycled Cardboard Tube Dreidels
Don’t throw away those toilet paper rolls! By pinching the bottom into a point and adding a cardboard square on top, you can create a 3D dreidel that actually stands up.
7. Pasta Menorah (Textural Art)
For a sensory experience, use different shapes of dry pasta (like ziti for candles and a bow-tie for the shamash). Paint them silver or gold and glue them to a heavy cardstock base.
8. Felt Chanukiah Wall Hanging
Perfect for toddlers who want to touch everything! Create a large menorah out of felt and stick it to the wall. Create nine felt “candles” with Velcro on the back so they can be “lit” safely.
9. Clay Gelt (Golden Coins)
Hanukkah Gelt (money) is a traditional gift. Use air-dry clay to stamp out coins, and once dry, paint them with metallic gold paint. You can even use a toothpick to etch the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin onto them.
10. Washi Tape Star of David
For a mess-free craft, give children various patterns of blue and silver Washi tape. They can create geometric stars on cardstock, which make excellent greeting cards for relatives.
11. Popsicle Stick Star Ornaments
Glue three popsicle sticks into a triangle, then glue another triangle upside down over the first. This classic craft is a great way to practice symmetry and shape recognition.
12. “Light the Night” Lanterns
Decorate glass jars with blue tissue paper and silver glitter. Place an LED tea light inside to create a safe, glowing lantern for the dinner table.
13. Origami Dreidel
For older kids who enjoy a challenge, origami is a fantastic way to practice focus. A single square of paper can be folded into a surprisingly sturdy 3D top.
14. Salt Dough Star of David
Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Cut out stars using a cookie cutter, bake them until hard, and then paint them. These make wonderful, heavy-duty ornaments or paperweights.
15. Paper Chain Countdown
Just like a countdown to the New Year, create a paper chain with eight links. Write a small “act of kindness” or a fun family activity on the inside of each link to perform each night of the festival.
16. Chalk Art Menorahs
On black construction paper, use white and blue chalk to draw a glowing menorah. Smudging the chalk around the “flames” creates a beautiful halo effect.
17. Beaded Pipe Cleaner Stars
String blue and clear beads onto silver pipe cleaners, then twist them into the shape of a star. These are durable and look great hanging from a garland.
18. Coffee Filter Snowflakes (Jewish Star Edition)
Fold coffee filters and cut out shapes to make snowflakes, but focus on creating six-pointed designs. Dye them with blue food coloring for a frosty, festive look.
19. Tissue Paper Collage Menorah
This is excellent for fine motor skills. Have children tear up bits of blue, white, and silver paper and collage them into a large menorah shape on a window or poster board.
20. Hanukkah “Wish” Banner
Cut out eight large triangles from cardstock. On each one, have the child draw or write a wish for the world (e.g., “Peace,” “Kindness,” “Food for everyone”). String them together to decorate the room.
Quick Reference: Craft Materials Checklist
| Category | Must-Have Supplies |
| The Basics | Safety scissors, non-toxic glue, cardstock, markers. |
| Festive Colors | Blue (royal and light), silver, white, and gold. |
| Texture & Sparkle | Silver glitter, yellow sequins, blue tissue paper. |
| Upcycled Items | Toilet paper rolls, paper plates, glass jars, dry pasta. |
The Educational Value of Hanukkah Crafting
Crafting is about more than just staying busy. When we sit down with our children to build a paper menorah or paint a dreidel, we are engaging in intentional parenting.
- Language Development: As you craft, you use specific vocabulary like Maccabee, Temple, Miracle, and Dedication.
- Cultural Literacy: Children learn that while the world may celebrate many things in December, their specific traditions have a deep, historical meaning.
- Math Skills: The number 8 is central to Hanukkah. Counting candles, calculating how many days are left, and understanding the four sides of the dreidel are all informal math lessons.
How to Celebrate Hanukkah This Year
This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2025, and continues through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2026.
To make the most of the celebration:
- The Lighting Ceremony: Place your menorah near a window to “spread the light” to the outside world.
- Traditional Foods: Enjoy Latkes (potato pancakes) or Sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts).
- The Game of Dreidel: Use your handmade clay gelt or raisins as the “pot” for the game.
Conclusion: Lighting the Path Forward
Hanukkah reminds us that even in the darkest times, a little bit of light can go a long way. These 20 crafts are more than just paper and glue; they are tools to help your children understand that they, too, can be a light in the world.
Whether you are spinning a recycled dreidel or lighting a paper plate menorah, the joy of the holiday is found in the time spent together. May your home be filled with laughter, the smell of latkes, and the beautiful glow of the Festival of Lights.