Hanukkah Crafts for Toddlers: 16 Easy Ideas

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It is a time for family, food and joy. Toddlers love to join in with their own little crafts. They do not need to be perfect. They only need to be fun.

In this post, you will find 16 Hanukkah crafts for toddlers. They are made for ages 1 to 3. Each one takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Most are low mess and use simple supplies. An adult does the cutting, the setup and the cleanup. The toddler does the fun part.

Pick one or two crafts a day. Stop when your toddler is done.

Before You Start

• A Hanukkah menorah has 9 branches. There are 8 for the 8 nights and 1 helper candle, called the shamash.
• The Star of David has six points. It is often used in blue and white.
• Classic colors are blue, white, silver and gold.
• Toddlers make art with their hands, fingers and feet. The process matters more than the result.
• Prepare everything before you call your toddler to the table.
• Cover the table with paper. Dress your toddler in old clothes.
• Stay within arm’s reach at all times.

Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand

• White paper and blue and white cardstock
• Washable, non-toxic paint in blue, white and yellow
• Chunky crayons and large dot stickers
• Clear contact paper and blue tissue paper
• Large sponges and cardboard tubes
• Aluminum foil
• Flour, salt and cream of tartar for playdough
• Baby wipes and paper towels
• Painter’s tape

Easy Hanukkah Crafts for Toddlers: 16 Ideas

1. Fingerprint Flame Menorah (ages 18 months and up)

You need: White cardstock, a black marker, washable yellow paint, a paper plate, wipes.

1. An adult draws a big menorah with 9 branches on the cardstock. Make the center branch a little taller.
2. Put a little yellow paint on the paper plate.
3. Help your toddler dip one finger in the paint.
4. Press a fingerprint flame above each branch.
5. Wipe the finger clean. Let the paint dry.

2. Dot Sticker Menorah (ages 18 months and up)

You need: Cardstock, a marker, large round dot stickers in blue, white and yellow.

1. An adult draws a big menorah on the cardstock.
2. Peel a few stickers and stick them on the edge of the table.
3. Let your toddler peel and press the stickers anywhere on the menorah.
4. Add yellow stickers on top of each branch for flames.

Use large stickers only. Throw away the backing sheets so your toddler does not chew them.

3. Mess-Free Sticky Window Art (ages 1 and up)

You need: Clear contact paper, blue and white tissue paper torn into big pieces, painter’s tape.

1. An adult tapes the contact paper to a window or a low wall, sticky side out.
2. Let your toddler press tissue pieces and paper shapes onto the sticky paper.
3. Add a few big paper stars.
4. Leave it up for the whole holiday. The light shines through the colors.

4. Sponge Stamp Stars (ages 18 months and up)

You need: A large sponge, scissors (adult only), washable blue paint, a paper plate, white paper.

1. An adult cuts the sponge into a big star shape.
2. Put a thin layer of blue paint on the plate.
3. Show your toddler how to press the sponge in the paint and then on the paper.
4. Fill the whole page with stars.
5. Dry flat.

5. Egg Carton Menorah (ages 2 and up)

You need: A cardboard egg carton, scissors (adult only), blue paint, a brush, yellow tissue paper, white glue.

1. An adult cuts 9 cups from the egg carton in one long strip. Cut a small base or leave it in one strip.
2. Let your toddler paint the cups blue. Dry fully.
3. An adult glues the cups to a long piece of cardboard.
4. Let your toddler press a ball of yellow tissue into each cup for a flame. An adult adds glue first.

6. Crinkled Foil Star Art (ages 18 months and up)

You need: Aluminum foil, cardstock, a star shape drawn in marker, white glue, a brush (adult).

1. An adult draws a big star on the cardstock and brushes glue inside it.
2. Tear the foil into big pieces.
3. Let your toddler crinkle the foil and press it onto the glue.
4. Add more foil until the star is covered. Let it dry.

7. Taste-Safe Blue Playdough Menorah (ages 2 and up)

You need: 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 cup water, blue food coloring, a small pot.

1. An adult mixes all the items in a pot over low heat.
2. Stir for 3 to 5 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball.
3. Let it cool fully on a plate. Knead until smooth.
4. Let your toddler squish, roll and poke the dough.
5. Show them how to make 9 little dough balls in a row to look like a menorah.

This dough has wheat. It is made to be safe if tasted, but it is not food. Do not let your toddler eat it.

8. Coffee Filter Blue Sky Art (ages 2 and up)

You need: Flat coffee filters, washable blue and purple markers, a spray bottle of water.

1. Let your toddler scribble on a coffee filter with the markers.
2. An adult sprays it lightly with water. The colors spread.
3. Let it dry flat.
4. An adult can tape it to a window like a blue night sky.

9. Gold Coin Sticker Bag (ages 18 months and up)

You need: A small paper bag, large gold or yellow circle stickers, chunky crayons.

1. Give your toddler the paper bag and a sheet of stickers.
2. Let them stick coins anywhere on the bag.
3. Add scribbles with a crayon.
4. Use it to carry paper coins during a pretend gelt game.

This is a fun nod to chocolate gelt. Do not give real coins or chocolate to toddlers.

10. Blue Ice Painting (ages 2 and up)

You need: An ice cube tray, water, blue food coloring, craft sticks, white paper.

1. The day before, fill the tray with water and a few drops of blue coloring. Stick a craft stick in each cube. Freeze.
2. Pop out a cube. Hold the stick and show your toddler how to slide the ice on the paper.
3. The color melts and leaves a blue trail.
4. Let the paper dry flat.

11. Torn Paper Star Collage (ages 2 and up)

You need: Blue, white and silver paper, a glue stick, cardstock with a big star drawn in marker.

1. Show your toddler how to tear paper into small pieces.
2. Rub the glue stick inside the star.
3. Let them press the pieces on.
4. Fill the star until it is covered.

12. Triangle Star of David Painting (ages 2 and up)

You need: Two big cardstock triangles, blue paint, a large brush, a sheet of white paper, white glue.

1. An adult cuts two big triangles from cardstock.
2. Let your toddler paint both triangles blue. Dry fully.
3. An adult glues one triangle point up on the paper.
4. Glue the second triangle point down over it to form a six-point star.

13. Crayon Resist Night Sky (ages 2 and up)

You need: White paper, a white chunky crayon, watered-down blue paint, a wide brush.

1. An adult draws stars and a menorah with the white crayon. Let your toddler scribble too.
2. Give your toddler a brush with watery blue paint.
3. Paint over the whole page. The white shapes appear like magic.

14. Cardboard Tube Candle Stamps (ages 18 months and up)

You need: A cardboard tube, yellow paint, a paper plate, a menorah outline on paper.

1. Put yellow paint on the plate.
2. Show your toddler how to press the end of the tube in the paint.
3. Stamp round flames above each branch of the menorah outline.
4. Dry flat.

15. Blue Handprint Banner (ages 1 and up)

You need: White paper cut into flags, washable blue paint, string, tape, wipes.

1. An adult paints your toddler’s palm with blue paint, or lets them press their hand in a thin layer of paint.
2. Press the hand on a flag. Make one print for each flag.
3. Wash hands well. Let the flags dry.
4. Tape the flags to a string and hang it on a wall.

16. Sensory Blue Water Tray (ages 18 months and up)

You need: A shallow plastic tray, a little water, a few drops of blue food coloring, large foam stars, a cup, a small scoop.

1. An adult puts about 1 inch of water in the tray and adds the blue coloring.
2. Add the foam stars. Use stars bigger than your toddler’s fist.
3. Let your toddler scoop, pour and splash.
4. Empty the tray right after play.

Never leave a toddler alone near water, even a small amount.

Tips for Toddler Craft Time

• Keep each craft to 5 to 10 minutes. Toddlers lose focus fast.
• Show one step at a time.
• Let your toddler explore. There is no wrong way to make art.
• Set out only the supplies for one craft at a time.
• Keep wet wipes and a towel close.
• Praise the effort. Do not fix their work.
• Display finished art at toddler eye level.

Age Guidance

• Ages 1 to 18 months: Sticky window art and handprints, with an adult holding the hand.
• Ages 18 months to 2: Stickers, sponge stamping, fingerprints and foil.
• Ages 2 to 3: Painting, tearing paper, playdough, ice painting and the egg carton menorah, with help.

Always supervise toddlers during craft time.

Safety Notes

• Toddlers put things in their mouths. Keep small items, such as buttons, beads, pom-poms and glitter, away from them. Anything smaller than 1 1/4 inches is a choking risk.
• Use washable, non-toxic paint, glue and markers.
• An adult should handle scissors, hot glue and the stove.
• Throw away sticker backing sheets, plastic bags and tape right away.
• Skip glitter and loose sequins.
• Check for allergies. Homemade playdough has wheat. Food coloring and some art supplies can irritate sensitive skin.
• Do not use real candles or flames near paper crafts. A real menorah is for adults to light with care, far out of toddler reach.
• Stay within arm’s reach near water.

Plan Ahead and Make-Ahead Guide

• The day before: Freeze the blue ice cubes. Cut the sponge star and the paper triangles. Draw the menorah outlines.
• Craft morning: Set out two or three crafts on a covered table.
• During the week: Do one craft a day. Hang each one up when it dries.
• Nap time: Cut flags and prepare the sticky window paper.
• After the holiday: Store the flat pieces in a folder. Keep your favorite handprint flag as a keepsake.

FAQ

What are the easiest Hanukkah crafts for toddlers?
Sticker menorahs, sticky window art and sponge stamp stars are the easiest.

What age are these crafts for?
They are made for ages 1 to 3, with an adult close by.

How do I keep craft time low mess?
Use contact paper, stickers and tissue paper. Put a covering on the table and keep wipes nearby.

Are the crafts safe for toddlers who put things in their mouths?
Use only non-toxic, washable supplies. Skip small items, glitter and food coloring if your toddler tastes everything. Stay close at all times.

How many branches does a menorah have?
A Hanukkah menorah has 9 branches. There are 8 for the 8 nights and 1 helper candle called the shamash.

How long does Hanukkah last?
Hanukkah lasts 8 nights. The dates change every year.

Final Thoughts

Hanukkah crafts for toddlers are a sweet way to share the holiday with your littlest ones. Start with a fingerprint menorah or sticky window art. Keep the steps short and the mess small. Hang the finished art where everyone can see, and the room will glow with joy.