Hanukkah Menorah Crafts for Toddlers: 11 Easy Ideas for Little Ones

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It lasts eight nights. The menorah is the best-known symbol of the holiday. It has nine branches: eight for the eight nights and one helper candle called the shamash.

Toddlers are too young for tricky crafts. They love to dab, stick, scribble, stack, and spin. This guide has 11 easy ideas for ages 1 to 3. Six are menorah crafts and five are dreidel crafts. They use big motions, simple supplies, and no small parts. An adult does the setup and the hard steps. Pick one or two and have fun together!

Hanukkah Symbols to Talk About

Keep it short and simple while you craft.

• The menorah has nine branches. Families light it for eight nights.
• The dreidel is a spinning top with four sides.
• Gold coins remind many families of gelt.
• Blue, white, silver, and gold are the most common colors.

Say “light” or “spin” while your toddler plays. Short words are best at this age.

Toddler Safety First

Toddlers put things in their mouths. Plan for it.

• Use washable, non-toxic paint, markers, and chalk made for young children.
• Skip glitter, googly eyes, buttons, beads, and pom-poms. They are choking hazards.
• Stay within arm’s reach the whole time.
• Keep tape, stickers, and paper pieces away from the mouth.
• Wash hands after every craft.
• Use the taste-safe pudding paint below for children who still taste everything.

Taste-Safe Pudding Paint (Mini Recipe)

This paint is gentle for toddlers who taste their art. It is not a snack.

Prep time: 10 minutes | Makes: about 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 small box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold whole milk
• 3 to 4 drops blue gel food coloring, for each bowl

Steps

1. Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk in a bowl for 2 minutes.
2. Let it sit for 5 minutes, until thick.
3. Spoon about 1/2 cup into each small bowl.
4. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl. Stir until the color is even.
5. Use it right away. Keep unused paint in the fridge until you start.
6. Throw away any leftover paint after 2 hours. Do not save it.

This paint stains clothes. Use a smock. It contains milk. Do not use it for a child with a milk allergy. Check the pudding box for other allergens.

Supplies and Age Guide

Keep these basics at home:

• White and blue paper, and butcher paper
• Washable dot markers and chunky crayons
• Washable paint and soft brushes
• Painter’s tape
• Clear contact paper
• Paper cups
• Cardboard
• Yellow construction paper and yellow felt
• Sidewalk chalk
• Wet wipes, towels, and a smock

Age guide:

• Ages 1 to 2: dabbing, sticking, scribbling, and chalk. An adult guides every step.
• Ages 2 to 3: painting, stamping, stacking, and helping with simple steps.
• An adult always handles scissors, tape, and anything sharp or hot.

Easy Hanukkah Menorah Crafts for Toddlers

1. Dot Marker Candle Circles Menorah (ages 2+)

You need: white paper, washable dot markers in blue and yellow, a pencil, a thick black marker (adult)

1. An adult draws a curved base on the paper. Draw nine big empty circles in a row above it. Make the middle circle a bit higher.
2. The toddler dabs blue dots inside the circles. Dab, dab, dab.
3. Fill each circle with dots. It does not need to be neat.
4. Add one yellow dot above each circle for the flame.
5. An adult draws a short line from each circle down to the base.
6. Count the circles out loud. Hang the art on the fridge.

2. Painter’s Tape Menorah Resist (ages 2+)

You need: white cardstock, painter’s tape, blue washable paint, a wide soft brush, a paper plate

1. An adult presses a long strip of tape across the bottom for the base.
2. Press nine short strips going up from the base. Press the middle one a little longer.
3. Rub the tape edges down with a finger so the paint cannot slip under.
4. The toddler paints all over the paper with blue paint.
5. Let it dry for 15 minutes.
6. An adult peels off the tape. A white menorah appears!

3. Sticky Wall Menorah (ages 1+)

You need: clear contact paper, a marker (adult), painter’s tape, yellow paper, scissors (adult)

1. An adult draws a big menorah shape on the back of a sheet of contact paper. Make it about 18 inches wide.
2. Peel off the backing. Tape the sheet to a wall or a door, sticky side out, at toddler height.
3. An adult cuts nine large yellow paper flames, each at least 3 inches tall.
4. The toddler presses the flames on the sticky paper.
5. Count the flames together.
6. Take it down when playtime ends. Put the flames in the trash so nothing ends up in the mouth.
   Stay close. Watch for paper going into the mouth.

4. Pudding Paint Menorah Finger Painting (ages 1+)

You need: pudding paint (recipe above), a tray or large paper plate, white paper, a smock

1. Tape the paper to a tray or high chair table.
2. An adult draws a curved base and nine lines on the paper with a pencil.
3. Spoon some blue pudding paint onto the paper.
4. Let the toddler squish and swirl it with hands. Say “light” while they play.
5. Let some paint land on the lines. Let some land anywhere. That is fine.
6. Dry flat for a few hours, or use it as a sensory play only.

5. Paper Cup Menorah Counting Game (ages 2+, adult sets up)

You need: 9 paper cups, blue washable paint, a brush, yellow felt, fabric glue (adult), scissors (adult)

1. Let the toddler paint the outside of each cup blue. Let them dry.
2. An adult cuts nine yellow felt flames and glues one on the bottom of each cup. Let them dry fully.
3. Set the cups upside down in a row. Place one cup a little to the side for the shamash.
4. Count the cups together, from one to nine.
5. Knock them over. Stack them. Play again.
   Check each flame often. If one peels off, throw it away.

6. Big Crayon Scribble Menorah (ages 1+)

You need: large white paper, chunky crayons or washable markers, a thick black marker (adult), tape

1. Tape the paper to the table.
2. An adult draws a large menorah outline with nine thick branches.
3. The toddler scribbles inside the shape with chunky crayons.
4. Use blue, yellow, and white crayons.
5. Say “one light, two lights, three lights” as you color.
6. Hang it on the wall.

Hanukkah Dreidel Crafts for Toddlers: Spin, Stamp, and Play

7. Dreidel Cookie Cutter Stamp Prints (ages 2+)

You need: a diamond or star cookie cutter (plastic is best), blue and silver washable paint, a paper plate, white paper

1. Pour a little paint on the plate. Spread it thin.
2. Show the toddler how to press the cutter in the paint.
3. Press the cutter on the paper. Lift it straight up.
4. Make lots of prints in blue and silver.
5. An adult draws a short handle on top of a few diamond prints so they look like dreidels.
6. Dry flat.

8. Sidewalk Chalk Dreidels (ages 1+)

You need: chunky sidewalk chalk in blue, white, and yellow, a driveway or a safe sidewalk

1. An adult draws a few large dreidel outlines on the ground. Each is a big diamond with a short handle.
2. The toddler colors inside with chalk.
3. Add dots and zigzag lines.
4. Spin around and say “dreidel, dreidel.”
5. Wash hands after. Chalk is not food.
   Do this in a safe spot away from the street.

9. Dreidel Sensory Bag (ages 1+, adult makes)

You need: a gallon freezer zip bag, 1/2 cup clear hair gel, a few drops of blue food coloring, strong tape, a sheet of white paper, a thick marker

1. An adult draws a large dreidel on the paper.
2. Put the hair gel and food coloring in the bag. Squeeze the air out and seal it.
3. Mix the gel by squishing the bag until blue.
4. Tape all four sides of the bag to a table or window. Cover the zipper with tape.
5. Place the dreidel drawing behind the bag.
6. The toddler squishes the gel with a finger and traces the dreidel shape.
   This is for supervised play only. Hair gel is not safe to eat. If your child puts everything in the mouth, use thick plain yogurt with a few drops of blue food coloring instead. Throw away the bag if it leaks or tears.

10. Big Dreidel Puzzle (ages 2+, adult cuts)

You need: a piece of cardboard, a marker, scissors (adult), chunky crayons, a cookie sheet

1. An adult draws a big dreidel, about 12 inches tall, on the cardboard and cuts it out.
2. The toddler scribbles all over the dreidel with crayons.
3. An adult cuts the dreidel into 3 or 4 big pieces. Make each piece at least 3 inches wide.
4. Mix the pieces on a cookie sheet.
5. The toddler puts the dreidel back together.
   Cut away any rough edges. Do not use this for children who chew on cardboard.

11. Salad Spinner Dreidel Art (ages 2+, adult spins)

You need: a salad spinner used only for crafts, white paper cut to fit the bottom, washable paint in blue and silver, a squeeze bottle or a spoon

1. An adult cuts a diamond shape from the paper and fits it in the bottom of the spinner.
2. The toddler spoons or drips a few drops of paint on the paper.
3. An adult puts on the lid.
4. Spin it fast. Count to ten together.
5. Open the lid. A swirl of color appears!
6. Take out the paper and dry it flat. Add a handle with a marker.
   Wash the spinner well afterward. Do not use it for food after craft use.

Simple Tips for Toddler Hanukkah Crafts

• Set up before you invite the toddler. Tape the paper down and put out wet wipes.
• Pick only one craft at a time. Toddlers lose focus fast.
• Keep sessions to 10 to 15 minutes.
• Pour only a little paint at a time.
• Praise the effort, not the result. Every scribble is art.
• Write the date and your child’s age on the back of every craft.
• Keep a towel and a bowl of warm soapy water close.
• Take a photo of your child next to the finished craft.
• Stop when your child is done, even if the craft is not.

Make-Ahead Planning Guide

Hanukkah dates change each year, so check a calendar.

• 3 weeks before: Pick your crafts and gather supplies.
• 2 weeks before: Cut cardboard dreidels, felt flames, and paper flames.
• 1 week before: Paint the paper cups and make the sensory bag.
• 2 to 3 days before: Do the tape resist, dot marker, and scribble crafts. Hang them on the wall.
• First night: Show the crafts to your family. Light your own menorah the way your family does.

For daycares: Set up 2 stations with one adult at each. Rotate small groups every 10 minutes.

Safety and Allergy Notes

• An adult should handle scissors, tape, glue, and anything sharp.
• Use only washable, non-toxic paint, markers, and chalk.
• Watch toddlers closely at all times. Paper, tape, felt, and chalk can end up in mouths.
• Skip small parts like beads, buttons, googly eyes, and pom-poms. They are choking hazards for children under 3.
• Keep string and tape short and out of reach.
• Paint, chalk, and glue are not food. The pudding paint is gentle for mouthing, but it is not a snack.
• Pudding paint contains milk. Do not use it for children with a milk allergy.
• Hair gel in the sensory bag is not safe to eat. Seal the bag well and supervise.
• Check food coloring and pudding labels for allergens.
• All these menorahs are for display and play only. Never use real candles in crafts.
• Real candles belong only in a proper menorah, lit by an adult. Follow your family’s tradition.
• Wash hands after every craft.

FAQ

What is an easy menorah craft for a 1-year-old?
The sticky wall menorah and the big crayon scribble menorah are easy. The adult sets everything up and the child sticks or scribbles.

How many branches does a menorah have?
Nine. Eight are for the eight nights, and one is the helper candle called the shamash.

What paint is safe for toddlers?
Use washable, non-toxic paint made for children. For children who taste everything, try the pudding paint above.

What is a good dreidel craft for toddlers?
Sidewalk chalk dreidels and cookie cutter stamp prints are easy and quick. They need no cutting.

How long should a toddler craft last?
Plan 10 to 15 minutes. Stop when your child loses interest.

How can I keep the mess small?
Use a smock, tape the paper down, and put out wet wipes. Pour only a little paint at a time.

What if my child will not touch paint?
Try dot markers, chunky crayons, or sticky wall crafts. They need no wet paint.

Final Thoughts

Toddlers do not need perfect crafts. They need safe, simple fun with someone they love. Pick one menorah craft and one dreidel craft, set out the supplies, and let your little one lead. Happy crafting and happy Hanukkah!