Menorah Craft: A Bright and Beautiful Hanukkah Project for Kids
The Menorah Craft is a wonderful way to bring the story and traditions of Hanukkah to life through creativity. It’s simple enough for young children to make but meaningful enough to spark conversation about the history and symbolism behind the menorah. This hands-on project blends art, learning, and tradition, giving kids the chance to create something they can proudly display throughout the Festival of Lights.
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This craft uses basic materials—popsicle sticks, construction paper, scissors, glue, and the included flame template—to make a bright, colorful menorah that captures the beauty of the holiday. With a little paint and imagination, children can design a menorah that reflects their own personality and understanding of Hanukkah. It’s perfect for classrooms, Sunday schools, or family craft nights at home.
What you’ll need to make this menorah craft
To begin, gather your supplies. You’ll need nine popsicle sticks in total—seven for the main candles, one for the center support (the shamash), and one for the horizontal base that holds them all together. You’ll also need brown paint for the menorah’s base, construction paper for decoration, glue, scissors, and the provided flame templates.
How to make the menorah craft
Start by creating the base of the menorah. Arrange the popsicle sticks in the shape of a lampstand by placing one stick horizontally across the bottom, which will serve as the main base. Then, glue another popsicle stick vertically in the center to act as the support stand. Once you have the basic shape assembled, paint the base brown (or gold if you want a metallic, festive look) and allow it to dry completely.
Next, it’s time to make the candle holders. Take seven additional popsicle sticks and cut the rounded edges off one end of each stick. These will be the candles that attach to the menorah’s base. Line them up evenly across the horizontal base stick, spacing them slightly apart. The middle candle—the shamash—should stand taller than the others, just like on a real menorah. Glue each candle securely in place and let them dry.
Now comes the fun and creative part—adding the flames. Using the included template, cut out flame shapes and trace them onto yellow or orange construction paper. You can even layer the flames by cutting smaller ones from red paper and gluing them on top of the yellow for a glowing, three-dimensional effect. Once the flames are ready, glue one to the top of each candle.
As the glue dries, take time to talk with the children about the meaning of the menorah. Explain that the menorah is one of the most important symbols of Hanukkah. It represents the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the ancient temple of Jerusalem, even though there was only enough oil for one day. Each night of Hanukkah, another candle is lit, until all eight are glowing brightly, with the shamash candle used to light the others.
Why parents and teachers love this craft
If you’re doing this craft in a classroom or group setting, it’s a great opportunity to discuss the values of the holiday—faith, perseverance, and hope. You can pair the activity with a Hanukkah read-aloud like The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler or Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel. These stories help children understand the deeper meaning of the menorah while making the hands-on experience even more meaningful.
Once the menorah craft is complete, children can personalize it further by decorating the base and candles. They can draw designs with markers, add glitter to the flames for a sparkling glow, or use small gem stickers to make their menorah shine. Encourage them to add their names or write “Happy Hanukkah” across the base to make each one unique.
This project also works beautifully for at-home celebrations. Kids can display their menorah craft on a shelf, table, or windowsill to add a handmade touch to their family’s Hanukkah decorations. Since it’s made from paper and wood, it’s a safe and simple way for young children to “light” their own menorah—just by pretending, without using real candles or flames.
Benefits and Variations
Beyond the art itself, this craft promotes fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and painting, while encouraging children to think about the significance of cultural traditions. It’s a beautiful blend of creativity and learning that helps kids connect with the holiday on a personal level.
For an added layer of engagement, you can extend this craft into a math or counting activity. As kids “light” each paper candle during the eight nights of Hanukkah, they can count aloud, track the number of days, or match the flame colors to numbers. For literacy connections, invite students to write a short paragraph about what Hanukkah means to them or what they’ve learned about the menorah’s symbolism.
A beautiful Craft for Hanukkah
When finished, the popsicle stick menorah is not only a delightful craft—it’s a keepsake. It reminds children of the joy of creating, the importance of tradition, and the beauty of light during the darkest time of the year.
Simple materials, a touch of paint, and a spark of imagination come together to create something meaningful and bright. This Menorah Craft is more than just a fun art project—it’s a celebration of faith, light, and togetherness, reminding everyone that even the smallest flame can shine brightly in the dark.
Get the free template below
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