Hanukkah Dreidel Crafts for Kids: 20 Easy Preschool Ideas

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. The dreidel is one of its most loved symbols. It is a small spinning top that kids love to play with. Making dreidel crafts is a sweet way for little ones to join the fun.

In this post, you will find 20 easy Hanukkah dreidel crafts for kids in preschool. They are made for ages 3 to 5. Most use paper, paint, stickers and playdough. Each idea has a short supply list and simple steps. An adult does the cutting and the hot tools, and the children do the fun parts.

Pick two or three crafts to start. Then try more through the week.

Before You Start

• A dreidel has four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. They stand for a phrase that means “A great miracle happened there.” In Israel, the last letter is Pe.
• Classic colors are blue, white, silver and gold.
• Before craft time, an adult can draw or cut a few big dreidel shapes from cardstock. A dreidel looks like a square on top of a triangle, with a small handle.
• Little hands need big shapes. Keep the dreidels about 6 to 8 inches tall.
• Let children make their own choices. Their dreidels do not need to look perfect.
• Use washable paint and glue. Cover the table with paper.

Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand

• Blue, white and silver cardstock
• Washable paint, dot markers and crayons
• Glue sticks and washable white glue
• Child-safe scissors (adult cuts the shapes)
• Stickers, foam shapes and tissue paper
• Cotton swabs and large sponges
• Playdough in blue, white and yellow
• Coffee filters and a spray bottle
• Craft sticks
• Wet wipes and paper towels

Paint and Print Dreidel Crafts

1. Dot Marker Dreidel

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, blue and silver dot markers.

1. Give each child one large dreidel shape.
2. Show them how to press the marker down to make a dot.
3. Let them fill the dreidel with dots in any pattern.
4. Let it dry. Add it to a wall or a window.

2. Cotton Swab Painted Dreidel

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, washable blue and white paint, cotton swabs, a paper plate.

1. Put a little paint on a paper plate.
2. Show the child how to dip a cotton swab and dab it on the dreidel.
3. Make lines, dots and stripes.
4. Dry flat.

3. Sponge Stamp Dreidel

You need: A large paper sheet, a sponge cut into a dreidel shape (adult cuts), washable blue paint, a paper plate.

1. An adult cuts a sponge into a dreidel shape.
2. Press the sponge into a thin layer of paint.
3. Stamp it on the paper. Make a whole page of dreidels.
4. Let it dry. Add a title or the child’s name later.

4. Fingerprint Letter Dreidel

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, washable paint, wet wipes.

1. An adult draws a big Nun, Gimel, Hei or Shin on the dreidel in pencil.
2. The child dips a finger in paint.
3. They press fingerprints along the pencil lines.
4. Wipe hands. Let the paint dry.

5. Tape Resist Dreidel

You need: A white cardstock dreidel shape, painter’s tape, washable blue paint, a brush.

1. An adult tapes stripes or a star across the dreidel.
2. The child paints over the whole dreidel.
3. Let it dry a little.
4. An adult peels off the tape. White shapes show through.

Collage and Sticker Dreidel Crafts

6. Shape Collage Dreidel

You need: Paper squares, triangles and circles in blue, white and silver, a glue stick, a big white paper.

1. Show the child the shapes.
2. Let them glue a square on top and a triangle below to build a dreidel.
3. Add a small rectangle on top for the handle.
4. Decorate with paper circles.

7. Torn Paper Mosaic Dreidel

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, blue, white and silver paper, a glue stick.

1. Tear the paper into small pieces. This is great for little hand muscles.
2. Spread glue on the dreidel.
3. Press the pieces on until the dreidel is covered.

8. Tissue Paper Dreidel Sun Catcher

You need: Clear contact paper, a cardstock dreidel frame with the middle cut out, tissue paper squares.

1. An adult cuts a dreidel frame and tapes a sheet of contact paper to the back, sticky side out.
2. The child presses tissue squares onto the sticky paper.
3. An adult covers it with a second sheet and trims the edges.
4. Tape it on a sunny window.

9. Foil Dreidel Collage

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, aluminum foil squares, white glue, a brush, blue paint.

1. Brush glue on the dreidel.
2. Press foil squares on it. Crinkle them for more shine.
3. Add small dabs of blue paint on top once the glue is dry.

10. Sticker Dreidel

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, star and shape stickers in blue, white and silver.

1. Give the child a sheet of stickers.
2. Let them peel and place the stickers on the dreidel.
3. Count the stickers together, if you like.

11. Foam Shape Dreidel

You need: A large foam dreidel shape (or cardstock), self-stick foam shapes, markers.

1. Give each child a dreidel base.
2. Peel the backing off the foam shapes and stick them on.
3. Add details with a marker.

Sensory and Hands-On Dreidel Crafts

12. Playdough Dreidels

You need: Blue, white and yellow playdough, a rolling pin, a dreidel cookie cutter (or a plastic knife), a tray.

1. Let the child roll the playdough flat.
2. Press a cutter in it, or cut a dreidel shape with a plastic knife.
3. Decorate with small dough balls and rolled snakes.
4. Squish and start again.

Use gluten-free playdough if a child has a wheat allergy. Playdough is not food.

13. Coffee Filter Dreidels

You need: Flat coffee filters, washable markers, a spray bottle of water, a dreidel template, scissors (adult).

1. Let the child color the filter with markers.
2. An adult sprays it lightly with water. The colors spread and blend.
3. Let it dry flat.
4. An adult cuts out a dreidel shape and tapes it up.

14. Shaving Cream Marbled Dreidel

You need: Shaving cream (foam type), blue food coloring, a tray, cardstock dreidel shapes, a craft stick, a scraper.

1. An adult spreads a thin layer of shaving cream on a tray and adds a few drops of food coloring.
2. The child swirls it with the craft stick.
3. Press a dreidel shape on top. Lift it and scrape off the extra foam.
4. Let it dry. The dreidel shows soft marbled patterns.

Keep shaving cream away from eyes and mouths. Wash hands after.

15. Sensory Dreidel Bag

You need: A zip-top bag, hair gel, a few drops of blue food coloring, a foam dreidel shape, strong tape.

1. An adult pours hair gel into the bag. Add the food coloring.
2. Drop in the foam dreidel.
3. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Tape the top for extra safety.
4. The child squishes the bag and moves the dreidel around.

An adult should seal and tape the bag. Supervise closely. Do not use with children who put things in their mouths.

Craft Stick and Fun Dreidel Crafts

16. Craft Stick Dreidel Puppet

You need: A cardstock dreidel shape, a craft stick, glue, crayons.

1. The child colors a dreidel.
2. An adult glues a craft stick to the back as a handle.
3. The child can “spin” the puppet by twisting the stick.

17. Dreidel Wand with Ribbons

You need: A craft stick, a small cardstock dreidel, blue and silver ribbon, glue, tape.

1. Tape or glue a small dreidel to the top of the stick.
2. Tie 3 or 4 short ribbons under it.
3. Wave the wand to play.

18. Paper Cup Dreidel

You need: A paper cup, blue paint, a cardstock circle, a craft stick, glue.

1. The child paints the cup blue. Let it dry.
2. An adult glues a cardstock circle on the bottom of the cup, to make the top of the dreidel.
3. An adult pokes a craft stick through to make the handle.
4. The child adds stickers and decorates.

19. Dreidel Magnet

You need: A foam dreidel shape, magnetic tape, stickers, glitter-free paint pens.

1. The child decorates the foam dreidel with stickers and markers.
2. An adult sticks a piece of magnetic tape on the back.
3. Put the magnet on the fridge.

Keep magnets away from children under 3 and any who might swallow them.

20. Dreidel Greeting Card

You need: A folded card, a cardstock dreidel, crayons, a glue stick.

1. The child decorates a dreidel.
2. Glue it on the front of the card.
3. An adult writes “Happy Hanukkah” inside. The child adds a drawing.
4. Give it to a grandparent or a friend.

Easy Dreidel Game for Preschoolers

Once the crafts are dry, play a simple game.

• Use a real wooden dreidel or a spinning top. An adult spins it.
• Each letter has a meaning in the game. Nun means nothing, Gimel means take all, Hei means take half and Shin means put one in.
• Use paper coins, stickers or buttons that are too big to swallow. Do not use small items for young children.
• Cheer for every turn. The goal is fun, not winning.

Tips for Preschool Craft Time

• Keep each craft to 10 to 15 minutes. Little ones lose focus fast.
• Show one step at a time.
• Cover the table and wear old clothes.
• Prepare all the shapes ahead of time.
• Let children keep their finished dreidels or hang them up with pride.
• Praise the effort and the colors. Do not fix their work.
• Keep a wet cloth nearby for sticky hands.

Age Guidance

• Ages 2 to 3: Stickers, dot markers, fingerprint painting and playdough. Stay close.
• Ages 3 to 4: Gluing paper, cotton swab painting, torn paper mosaics and sponge stamping.
• Ages 4 to 5: Shape collages, craft stick puppets, the paper cup dreidel and cards, with some help.

Always supervise young children during craft time.

Safety Notes

• An adult should handle scissors, hot glue guns, craft knives and the small cuts in contact paper.
• Keep small items such as buttons, beads, pom-poms and magnets away from children who put things in their mouths.
• Use washable, non-toxic paint, glue and markers.
• Check for allergies. Playdough and some crafts contain wheat. Some art supplies have latex.
• Skip glitter for the youngest children. It is hard to clean up.
• Do not use real candles or flames near paper crafts.
• If a real dreidel game uses chocolate gelt, check allergy lists first. Paper coins are a safer choice.

Plan Ahead and Make-Ahead Guide

• 1 to 2 weeks before: Pick your crafts and gather supplies.
• 2 to 3 days before: Cut all the dreidel shapes and frames. Sort the supplies into trays for each child.
• The day before: Make the playdough or buy it. Set up the sun catchers.
• Craft day: Set out two or three stations. Let the children rotate.
• After the crafts: Let them dry flat. Hang them on a wall, a string or a window.
• Next year: Keep the templates in a folder.

FAQ

What are the easiest Hanukkah dreidel crafts for preschoolers?
Dot marker dreidels, sticker dreidels and playdough dreidels are the easiest.

What age are these dreidel crafts for?
They work for ages 3 to 5, with adult help. Some can work for ages 2 with close care.

What does a dreidel look like?
It has a square body on top of a pointed base, with a small handle at the top.

What are the four letters on a dreidel?
Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. In Israel, the last letter is Pe.

Can I use real dreidels with preschoolers?
Yes. Use a larger one and keep a close watch. A wooden dreidel is better than a small plastic one.

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

Final Thoughts

Hanukkah dreidel crafts for kids are a joyful way to share the holiday with little ones. Start with a dot marker dreidel or a playdough craft. Keep the steps short and the mess small. Hang the finished dreidels where everyone can see, and the whole room will glow.