Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with this fun and simple DIY menorah craft for kids! This paper plate menorah is a great way to involve the whole family in Hanukkah traditions while creating a special decoration that your small children can call their own menorah. It’s a good option for parents looking for easy ways to combine crafting skills with meaningful holiday moments.
The holiday of Hanukkah is here, this year the first day of Hanukkah coincided exactly with Christmas, and what better way to celebrate this special holiday than with a fun and meaningful craft?
This paper plate menorah is a wonderful way to engage kids in the traditions of Hanukkah while encouraging creativity and fine motor skills. Whether you’re looking to teach the story of the menorah or just enjoy some quality crafting time together, this activity is the perfect addition to your Hanukkah celebrations.
Supplies You’ll Need for your DIY Paper Plate Hanukkah Menorah Craft
This craft uses simple materials that you might already have at home. The paper plate forms the base of your menorah, while paint and construction paper bring it to life with vibrant colors. Kids will love the opportunity to use their creativity with brushes and glue to assemble their own menorah masterpiece. It’s a hands-on way to connect with the holiday’s significance while having lots of fun.
- Half a paper plate (cut and ready for crafting)
- Yellow acrylic paint
- Thick watercolor paper
- Blue watercolor paint and a drop of water
- Brushes (one for painting the plate and one for watercolor gradients)
- Scissors
- Glue (hot glue gun or craft glue)
- A ruler for straight lines
- A pencil
- Orange and yellow markers or paint for the flames
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah symbolizes the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days when there was only enough for one. Hanukkah is a time of reflection, joy, and togetherness, celebrated with lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, enjoying festive foods like latkes, and, of course, engaging in creative family activities.
Step-by-Step Tutorial for your Paper Plate Menorah
Follow along with the step by step instructions below to make your menorah paper plate craft with the kids this Hanukkah.
Paper Plate Hanukkah Menorah Craft
Create a bright and beautiful menorah with a paper plate, colorful candles, and a touch of holiday magic—perfect for kids to celebrate Hanukkah creatively!
Materials
- Half a paper plate (cut and ready for crafting)
- Yellow acrylic paint
- Thick watercolor paper
- Blue watercolor paint and a drop of water
- Brushes (one for painting the plate and one for watercolor gradients)
- Scissors
- Glue (hot glue gun or craft glue)
- A ruler for straight lines
- A pencil
- Orange and yellow markers or paint for the flames
Instructions
- Step 1: Create the Menorah Base
Begin by painting the half paper plate yellow. This will serve as the menorah base. Let it dry completely while you prepare the candles. - Step 2: Paint and Cut the Hanukkah Candles
Use thick watercolor paper to create a beautiful gradient effect with blue watercolor paint. Blend darker blues at the bottom with lighter tones at the top to represent glowing candles. Once the paint dries, use scissors to cut the paper into strips for the candles. Cut out nine rectangular strips. Make sure each strip is about the same candle size except for your center candle. - Step 3: Add the Candles to the Menorah
Attach the painted candle strips to the back of the paper plate base using glue. Align them in a straight line for a clean appearance, ensuring the helper candle (shamash candle holder) is slightly taller than the others. You might use a ruler to make sure everything lines up well. - Step 4: Add the Flames
Draw or paint small flames with yellow and orange markers or paint, then cut them out. Cut small teardrop shapes from yellow paper for the flames. Add a touch of red paint at the base of each flame to make them look lit. Glue them at the top of each candle, creating a glowing effect. - Step 5: Decorate the Menorah
Using the leftover blue watercolor paper, cut two triangles to form a Star of David. Glue the triangles together and attach the star to the front of the menorah base for a meaningful touch.
This paper plate menorah is a fun way to explore new ways of celebrating Hanukkah with your kids. It’s a great way to introduce them to the significance of the shamash candle holder and the Hanukkah candles while letting them express their creativity.
Plus, it’s easy to gather most supplies from a dollar store, making it a budget-friendly craft that encourages family bonding.
Whether you’re crafting with small children or older kids, this project is adaptable for all skill levels. This hands-on approach brings so much more excitement and engagement to the holiday season.
Tips for Crafting Success
- If you notice any rough edges on the paper plate, trim them for a smoother finish before painting.
- A hot glue gun can be a good idea for quicker assembly, but craft glue works well if you’re crafting with younger children.
- Make sure the candle size is proportional to the menorah base for the best visual effect.
- If you don’t have the watercolors you can substitute that step for using blue construction paper.
The Significance of the Menorah
The menorah is a symbol of light and hope, representing the miracle of Hanukkah. Each candle lit during the eight nights of the holiday reminds us of the perseverance and faith of the Jewish people. Teaching kids the story behind the menorah while they create their own version is a meaningful way to connect crafting with cultural traditions.
Crafting your own Hanukkah menorah is a great way to celebrate this special time of year while giving kids a project they can take pride in. Whether you’re looking for fun ideas for the holiday season or simply want to try something new, this craft is sure to brighten up your Hanukkah!
More Hanukkah Crafts and Activities for Kids
Looking for more creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah with your family? Check out our other kid-friendly activities, from making dreidels to creating Hanukkah-themed coloring pages. Crafting together is a great way to bond and make lasting holiday memories.
- Hanukkah Coloring Pages
- Easy Hanukkah Menorah Craft
- Hanukkah Dreidel Craft With Free Printable Template
- Hanukkah Dreidel Game Free Printable Fuse Bead Template
We hope you enjoyed making this paper plate menorah craft! If you found this post helpful, please share it with friends and family so they can join in the Hanukkah fun, too. Wishing you a bright and beautiful holiday season!
Feel free to share your creations with us and inspire others to try this festive project. Happy Hanukkah!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.