Hanukkah is just around the corner! To kindle your little ones inner festive flames, why not try a few craft projects to help your home look even more magical?

These Hanukkah crafts for kids can help trigger their creativity and help them understand the meaning of the eight nights, the menorah, and even the dreidel! Read on for some unique ideas and see which Hanukkah activities will be the right fit for your children this year.

8 creative Hanukkah crafts for kids

There are few things as beautiful and serene as coming together as a family to light your menorah, recite blessings, reflect on the memories made throughout the year, ...and have your kids ask for MORE gelt (how much chocolate can a kid eat?).  

This year, make your Hanukkah extra special by including your children in the decorating process! These festive craft ideas will help make your home look great, and your little ones will enjoy having a hand in the process!

Night one: countdown to Hanukkah

Are your children constantly asking you how many more days until Hanukkah or what day of the celebration you're on? Creating a countdown system is the best way to stay up to date.

Consider dusting off your old magazines and having them cut out Star of David shapes from blue or white-colored pages, or brightly colored hearts with construction paper. Then use ribbon or streamers to create eight hanging strands that they can decorate and number. At the bottom of each "day," include an envelope with some chocolate or maybe a fun family activity like taking a hike or playing a board game.

Night two: greeting cards

Whether your family lives far apart or not, it's always nice to receive a holiday card with well wishes and updates on how everyone is doing. Rather than buying premade cards this year, enlist your children to help you make unique, beautiful homemade gifts for each family member.

You can use mixed media art techniques, painted images, or even try to make your own stamps for a unique and festive flair. DIY holiday cards are such a fun way to get the family involved and get the creative juices flowing!

Night three: edible crafts

Hanukkah and delicious foods go hand in hand. This year, bake some brownies with your child, and then cut them into dreidel shapes. If you consider yourself a pro-baker (or just determined...like us!) try frosting them blue and decorating with the Hebrew letters. 

If you're not a brownie lover, you can make some simple treats using a pretzel stick, a jumbo marshmallow, and a chocolate kiss to create cute little treats everyone will love. To make these, push the pretzel into the marshmallow and then stick the chocolate kiss to the other end using caramel, peanut butter, or hazelnut spread. You can then dip the whole treat in white or dark chocolate and Hanukkah-colored sprinkles!

Night four: DIY dreidel

Keep little hands busy by making an upcycled dreidel! They’re perfect for decorating and can be played with all season long. You can even have them make gelt out of construction paper or cardboard. If you’d like to opt for healthy snacks, try using nuts or raisins. DIY activities like these help get their creativity flowing.

Night five: creative menorahs

You probably already have a beautiful menorah in your house, but you can have your children learn more about the traditions by making a menorah for themselves! One great idea is using uncooked pasta noodles and a little of their favorite colored paint.

If your child has a massive collection of toy bricks, have them build a unique menorah that will represent their interests. You can even collect special items from outdoors like pinecones, seashells, or stones that they like.

Night six: dreidel decorations

If your kids love to paint and color, cut out several dreidel shapes and have them use their creative abilities to transform them into little works of art! Hang them around your house or string them together for a decorative garland. 

Night seven: festive feasting

To celebrate the miracle of the lasting oil, have your kids assist you in the kitchen to make yummy fried foods. Together, make delicious potato latkes and then enjoy them with traditional toppings like apple smash and sour cream.

If they have more of a sweet tooth, cook up some sufganiyot or doughnuts, and fill them with rich, sweet jelly. These are best when they're warm and fresh so that the experience will be fun and rewarding!

Night eight: light and bright

If your children are a little older, you can spend some time this Hanukkah making hand-dipped beeswax candles. Taking the time to make a full set of candles will nurture a deeper appreciation for the light they offer and the reason you celebrate.

You can create beautiful luminaries with younger helpers to line your walkway by getting some plain white paper bags and having your children decorate them with Stars of David, Menorah, Dreidels, and whatever other images represent the holiday to them. Use fake tea lights for a fun and safe display that will glow each night of the celebration. 

Where to start?

Whether you decide to try each of these activities or just a few, the best place to start is by looking at what crafting supplies you already have around your home. By starting small, you won't need to worry about buying a bunch of new items — instead, you can focus more on the fun! 

Next, consider your child's age and skill level and choose the projects that will be fun and entertaining. Finally, remember to focus on the reasons why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights. By keeping this in mind, your child will grow to appreciate this holiday every year, and you'll likely develop some new family traditions along the way!

For more informative articles, creative projects, and parenting tips, check out our blog. Or, explore enriching virtual and online classes!