This project is such a fun way for children to get involved in Hanukkah without the worry of the flame of the candle. Not only is it a fun activity, but it’s a great way to talk about Hanukkah and why you celebrate it while getting creative! The incentive for a child with a DIY activity is to give them the ability to create a piece that is unique and their own. Then when it is time to light the candles they can ‘light’ their Hanukkah Menorah in the windowsill simultaneously to yours with real flames.
What you will need to get started:
- egg carton
- 9 popsicle sticks
- washable paint
- paint brushes
- yellow and orange paper
- scissors
- glue
- paring knife (for an adult to poke slits in egg carton)
- glitter (optional)
Hanukkah Menorah – Holiday Craft
Step 1: Cutting & Painting
To start, cut the egg carton in half so you will have two sets of six cups. Flip them upside down, count three cups in, and glue the other egg carton row on top of those three (view image above). This will give you nine cups in a row. Put out common Hanukkah paint colors: blue, silver, white, yellow, gold. Give time for your child to paint their upside-down row of 9 egg carton cups and 9 popsicle sticks.
Step 2: Glue & Glitter
If you offering glitter, now is the time. Squeeze glue all over the top, where they just painted and let them sprinkle glitter on top. I suggest doing this inside a shallow box so you can easily contain the glitter and just recycle the box after. In addition, glue 9 paper flames, one on each candle. For older children, they can help cut out the flames and for younger children you can have these pre-cut.
Step 3: Adults
This next step in making your DIY Hanukkah Menorah will be the adult use of a knife. Once it is dry, cut 9 slits with a paring knife in the egg carton, about the size of the popsicle stick.
Step 4: Pretend Play & Learning
There you have it, your very own Hanukkah Menorah! Put it in a front windowsill and add a pretend candle each night. You have 9 candles, but there are only 8 nights of Hanukkah. Now is when you can teach a bit about Hanukkah through their pretend play. The center candle is called the Shamash or ‘helper candle. Do not push it in as much as the others so that it is slightly taller. This candle will light all the other candles and its flame should continue to shine bright throughout the 8 nights.
Try these additional Hanukkah art projects for more holiday fun!
About The Author
Jaclyn Capilli has over 10 years experience working with children. After graduating from Curry College with her Bachelor Degree she worked as a paraprofessional in a special need’s classroom. Then while in Graduate school at Cambridge College she nannied for a local family for 3 years. After moving back to the South Shore she worked for Head Start for 5 plus years while nannying for a local family. She is now a mother of two and is working for Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny. She owns Jaclyn Nicole Photography, a photography business in the South Shore. In her free time she likes reading, going for hikes and making memories with her daughters.
