A few Hanukkah basics before you craft
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that lasts eight nights. It remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a time of conflict, and the story of a small amount of oil that lasted longer than expected. Because the Jewish calendar differs from the one most people use, the dates change from year to year and usually fall in late November or December. Check a Jewish calendar for the dates in your year.
A few symbols children may hear about:
- The menorah (hanukkiyah): A special candleholder with nine branches. One candle is added each night for eight nights, plus a helper candle called the shamash, used to light the others.
- The dreidel: A four-sided spinning top. Each side has a Hebrew letter, and a traditional game is played with it. The letters are often explained as standing for a phrase that means “a great miracle happened there.”
- Foods: Foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are traditional in many families.
- Gelt: Chocolate coins, often given to children.
Hanukkah is not the “Jewish Christmas,” and it is a minor festival in the Jewish calendar, though a well-loved one. Families celebrate in many different ways, so ask families what is meaningful to them before you plan.
Menorah crafts
Fingerprint menorah
Draw or print a menorah with nine candle spots. Children dip a finger in orange or yellow washable paint and make a flame on each candle, one for each night. Count the nights together. This is a good way to practice counting to eight without using any real flame.
Handprint menorah
Two painted handprints placed side by side can form a menorah, with the fingers as the candles. Paint hands in a washable paint, have wipes ready, and add the shamash in the middle.
Paper plate menorah
Cut a paper plate in half, and glue paper candles to the top. Children paint it, then add paper flames. It is a nice size for little hands and needs no special supplies.
For all menorah crafts, a paper or paint flame is the safe choice. Real candles belong with adults, and children should stay at a safe distance.
Dreidel crafts and games
- Decorate a dreidel: Offer plain paper dreidel shapes to color or decorate with markers, stickers and paint.
- Paper dreidel craft: Older preschoolers can try folding and decorating a paper dreidel template, with adult help.
- Playing the game: A dreidel game with real spinning tops suits older children. Use large dreidels only, since small ones can be a choking hazard for children under 3 and for children who put objects in their mouths. Play with counters that are large, such as big wooden blocks, instead of small tokens or loose candy.
Light and color crafts
Tissue paper “stained glass”
Cut a window shape from clear contact paper or card, and let children press small pieces of tissue paper onto the sticky side, then cover with a second sheet. Hang it in a window and watch how light shines through the colors. This craft doubles as a light-and-color science activity (more in how to introduce colors in preschool), and works for ages 2 and up, with tissue paper pieces kept large.
Be a shamash
The shamash is the helper candle. Children draw themselves as a helper on a paper candle, then add a candle for each helpful thing they do over the eight days, such as sharing, setting the table or comforting a friend. It connects the symbol to kindness and works well as a home activity. For more ways to nurture kindness and helpfulness, see preschool character development.
Look for lights
Go on a walk around your neighborhood or room and spot different kinds of light, such as lamps, streetlights and windows. Count together. It builds observation skills and links to the festival of lights theme.
Printing and stamping
Dip sponge shapes, cut potato halves (a link to latkes) or cardboard tubes in paint to print patterns on paper or wrapping paper. An adult should cut the potatoes and sponges. Use stamps to decorate cards or banners.
If you want to avoid mess, skip the glitter. It spreads, can get in eyes and mouths, and is hard to clean up. Stickers, torn paper and washable paint are good alternatives.
Crafts for 2-year-olds
Toddlers and young preschoolers are still developing their fine motor skills and often put things in their mouths. (For more age-matched ideas, see indoor activities for 2 year olds.) Good options include:
- Sticker menorah: place large stickers as candles on a printed menorah.
- Large-crayon scribbling on a paper dreidel.
- Finger-painted flames.
- Sensory play with blue and white scarves or ribbons (supervised).
Skip small beads, buttons, sequins and anything with small parts. Use non-toxic, washable materials, and stay with children for the whole activity.
Teaching respectfully
- Invite families to share: If you have Jewish families, ask how they celebrate and whether they would like to share a story, a song or a food. Do not put pressure on any child to explain a tradition.
- Be accurate: Use the right names, such as menorah or hanukkiyah, dreidel, shamash.
- Do not mix traditions: Avoid blending Hanukkah crafts with Christmas decorations in the same display. Treat it as its own festival.
- Choose a book: Titles such as It’s Hanukkah! for the youngest children and Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah for ages 3 to 5 are often used. Preview any book first.
- Offer related reading in our cluster: For more on teaching cultural observances with care, see our Black history lesson plans for preschoolers and Chinese New Year preschool lesson plans.
Safety notes
- Candles and flames: Keep real candles and matches out of children’s reach, and use only adult-lit candles under supervision. Use battery candles in classrooms.
- Hot oil: Frying latkes is an adult task. Children can help with mixing or sprinkling, away from the stove. Oven-baked latkes avoid the hot-oil risk.
- Choking hazards: Small dreidels, gelt coins, beads and similar items are hazards for children under 3. Chocolate gelt in foil can also be a risk. Unwrap it for young children and supervise.
- Allergies and dietary needs: Check food allergies before cooking. Marshmallows and some candies contain gelatin, which is an issue for families who are vegetarian, vegan, or follow kosher or halal rules. Read labels and ask families.
- Craft materials: Use washable, non-toxic paint and glue, and supervise cutting.
Frequently asked questions
What are some fun Hanukkah activities for preschoolers?
Menorah art, decorating a paper dreidel, tissue paper “stained glass,” a walk to spot lights, and a kindness shamash craft are all simple options. Read a picture book and listen to children’s Hanukkah songs too.
What crafts can I do with a 2-year-old?
Choose stickers, finger painting and large-crayon scribbling, and keep everything washable and free from small parts. Stay close the whole time.
What are some creative Hanukkah craft ideas?
Printing with sponges or potato halves, upcycled crayon “candles” (adult-made), hand and fingerprint menorahs, and shamash helper charts are creative and low-cost.
Do I need glitter?
No. Many teachers skip it entirely for easier cleanup and safety. Stickers, paint and tissue paper work well.