Hanukkah is a wonderful time to get creative with kids. From building a 3D paper hanukkiah and decorating a Hanukkah gingerbread house to making dreidel gift boxes, these printable crafts offer plenty of holiday fun.
But there’s more to them than coloring, cutting, and gluing! Each project has a story, tradition, or surprising detail behind it that you can discover and share with your kids while crafting. Some might even be new to you!
All five crafts and activities come with ready-to-print templates, making them easy to prepare at home with basic supplies. The 3D paper crafts also include step-by-step PDF instructions with photos to help with assembly.
1. Printable 3D Hanukkah Menorah
This printable 3D Hanukkah menorah craft lets kids create their own standing paper hanukkiah. They color the design, then cut, fold, and assemble it. The template has large pieces and straight cutting and folding lines to make the process easy.
The craft also includes 3D paper candles that children can add throughout the eight nights of Hanukkah, “lighting” their own menorah in a completely flame-free way.
The finished hanukkiah makes a lovely holiday decoration, too!
★ A story to share: The Temple and Jewish art ★
Why do we light the hanukkiah for eight nights? According to the traditional Hanukkah story, when the Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, they found enough pure oil to keep its menorah burning for only one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days.
The Hanukkah menorah has nine branches – eight branches for the eight days, and the shamash, an additional candle used to light the others,
As children color their paper hanukkiah, they can also discover the symbols I’ve included in the design. The olive branches recall the olive oil used for the Temple menorah, while the flames represent the light of Hanukkah. There are also Stars of David and decorations inspired by ancient Jewish mosaics found at historic sites in Israel.
See the Hanukkah menorah craft on Etsy →
2. Printable Hanukkah Gingerbread House
This printable Hanukkah gingerbread house is a fun paper craft that lets kids create their own festive display.
The house is easy to put together with just five main pieces — four walls and a roof. Younger kids can enjoy building it with a parent’s help, then decorate it with printable Hanukkah symbols, including a hanukkiah, dreidels, gelt, and sufganiyot.
The finished house makes a beautiful DIY decoration to enjoy throughout Hanukkah.
★ A story to share: Let people see your light ★
Did you know there’s a tradition of placing the hanukkiah where people outside can see its lights? This is called pirsumei nisa, or publicizing the Hanukkah miracle.
My grandfather was very particular about this tradition. He had an oil Hanukkiah (without candles!) and he would light it outside on the porch so it would face the street.
Children can imagine where they would place a hanukkiah in their own paper house and why sharing its light is part of the celebration.
See the Hanukkah gingerbread house on Etsy →
3. Printable 3D Dreidel Gift Boxes
These printable dreidel gift boxes feature decorative mandala patterns for children to color before cutting, folding, and assembling them into dreidel-shaped boxes.
Fill the finished boxes with Hanukkah gelt, treats, or other surprises. They make lovely handmade gifts, table decorations, or festive packaging for Hanukkah.
★ A story to share: Dreidels are different in Israel! ★
Did you know? The four Hebrew letters on a dreidel stand for Nes Gadol Haya Sham, meaning “A great miracle happened there.”
But on dreidels in Israel, the letter Shin (ש) is replaced with Peh (פ), changing the phrase to Nes Gadol Haya Po — “A great miracle happened here.”
That’s why my printable dreidel boxes come in two versions – one with the letter Shin and one with the letter Peh.
See the printable mandala dreidel box on Etsy →
4. Happy Hanukkah Cards to Color
These printable Happy Hanukkah cards to color include three holiday-themed designs and a matching printable envelope template.
Kids can color their favorite design, then cut and fold it into a greeting card. They can also make the matching envelope and write their own Hanukkah wishes inside. It’s a simple, low-prep craft that even preschoolers can do, and the finished cards make lovely handmade greetings for family and friends.
★ Something to share: Hanukkah wishes from the heart ★
Writing holiday greetings is also a chance to talk about the ideas and values associated with Hanukkah.
Children can think of wishes inspired by the holiday, such as light and happiness, courage to overcome challenges like the Maccabees, or wonderful surprises in the year ahead.
Here are a few ideas to inspire them:
- Wishing you a Hanukkah filled with light and happiness!
- May wonderful things happen to you this year!
- Wishing you courage, joy, and bright moments!
See the Happy Hanukkah coloring cards on Etsy →
5. Printable Hanukkah Activity Book
Here is a Hanukkah activity idea that’s perfect for the Hanukkah celebration itself: A printable Hanukkah activity book with holiday-themed puzzles and games featuring familiar Hanukkah symbols.
Just print, cut, fold, and staple the pages together to create a cute booklet. Hand booklets the children of the family with colored pencils during your Hanukkah gathering. It’s an easy way to keep kids happily occupied while everyone enjoys the celebration.
★ Something to share: A Story Untold ★
Not all Hanukkah stories come from the past. Some are the memories children make during the holiday itself! As they solve puzzles, crack codes, and get creative with familiar Hanukkah symbols, they’re enjoying the celebration in their own way. And perhaps one day, they’ll remember sitting with their activity books during a family Hanukkah gathering, surrounded by the people, traditions, and moments that made the holiday special.
See the Hanukkah activity book on Etsy →
Making Hanukkah Memories Together
What I love about these crafts and activities is that they give children a chance to connect with Hanukkah in their own creative way.
Of course, sometimes kids just want to color, cut, and glue, and that’s wonderful too! There’s no need to turn every craft session into a lesson. But when questions come up, or a particular symbol catches their attention, it’s a lovely opportunity to share a little more about the holiday.
I hope these printable Hanukkah activities bring some creativity, light, and happy family moments into your celebration.
Have a Happy Hanukkah! ✨
