Looking for hanukkah activities for kids that include more than coloring pages? Think bright painted dreidels, sparkling stars and little games to play together.
These ideas give you plenty to choose from, whether your kids want to get out the paint or settle down with a story.
You can keep things simple or go all out with a craft table. Choose supplies that suit your child’s age, supervise small pieces and leave real candle lighting to adults.
Hanukkah Crafts and Activities to Try
blue dreidel stamping
Got a few toy blocks ready for the paint table? This setup pairs a blank dreidel cutout with different shades of blue paint, buttons and little blocks.
Try using a washable block as a stamp to fill your shape with patterns. I’d keep the turquoise alongside the darker blue.
rainbow dreidel paintings
How cute are these colorful dreidels? The pink, orange and yellow stripes are so pretty, especially next to that patchwork design.
Let your kids choose between stripes, little patches or outlines that follow the dreidel shape. There’s no need for everyone’s picture to match.
dreidel gift bags
If you are looking for a little activity that doubles as a gift, this one is for you. A red dreidel and gold-wrapped coins sit inside a clear bag with a colorful Hanukkah greeting.
Kids could decorate their own folded toppers before an adult secures the bags. Keep the bright menorah picture if you like this cheerful look.
a hanging trio of stars
I love this little row of Stars of David. The white, dark blue and turquoise stars each have dotted decorations around their edges.
Try letting each child decorate a star, then have an adult hang them together. That alternating blue-and-white detail is worth keeping.
blue and gold discovery jars
There’s so much to look at in these little jars! Sparkly balls, blue gem-shaped pieces and Hanukkah shapes fill the containers, with more pieces spread out in front.
For children old enough to handle small parts, you could turn this into a supervised sorting activity. Start with blue, gold and silver groups, then look for matching shapes.
blue handprint keepsakes
Those tiny blue handprints are such a sweet starting point for a Hanukkah keepsake. The pictured boards have small metal holders placed around the fingers, with tall blue candles in some of them.
For a kids’ version, I’d use the handprint idea on paper and add drawn candles instead. Treat homemade handprint boards as decorations, not candle holders to light.
latke story and play tray
Who’s ready for a story and a little pretend play? This setup pairs Meet the Latkes with rolling tools, dough tubs and a divided tray of loose pieces.
After reading, invite your kids to shape pretend latkes with age-appropriate play dough. Keep the book nearby so they can look back at those funny faces.
craft-stick menorah
Don’t want to get out lots of little decorations? No problem!
This flat menorah design uses a blue base, white candle shapes and little yellow tips against black.
I especially love how the middle candle sits a little higher. Try arranging the pieces before gluing so your child can choose where everything goes.
dreidel number hunt
Make number practice a little more colorful with these dreidel pages. Blue marks fill the matching shapes, with tracing lines across the top.
You could call out a number and have your child find it before coloring. The number-word version gives older kids another way to join in.
foldable dreidel design
If your kids enjoy coloring something they can fold afterward, save this idea. The flat dreidel template has outlined Hebrew letters, dashed fold lines and a separate handle piece.
Let them choose the colors while it’s still flat. An adult can help with cutting and the smaller tabs.
a sparkling blue star
I am obsessed with this blue star. The silver-colored sparkle scattered over the overlapping sticks is so pretty.
For your own version, let kids decorate the sticks before an adult helps assemble the two triangles. Add a loop if you’d like to hang the finished Star of David.
Hanukkah scene coloring
Looking for something a little quieter? This coloring scene has plenty to fill in, from dreidels and stars to the menorah and treats on the table.
I’d start with yellow flames, then let the kids pick the rest. The little dreidels don’t all need to be the same color.
dreidel discovery bin
This blue discovery bin has so many little things to spot. There are dreidels, shiny coins, star outlines and loose yellow and purple candles spread across the textured filler.
Use the picture as inspiration for a supervised sorting game with age-appropriate pieces. I’d swap the real candles for pretend ones and keep any play-bin treats separate from snacks.
colorful mosaic patterns
The blue, purple and green pieces on this menorah base are gorgeous together. I especially love the little patches of yellow mixed in.
For a child-friendly take, try a flat mosaic picture with colored paper shapes instead of hard fragments. The photographed version has lit candles, but a decorative kids’ version should stay flame-free.
Hanukkah story time
Take a little break from the paint with a Hanukkah story. This page pairs short lines of text with pictures of a crown, an oil lamp and a menorah.
Read an age-appropriate telling together, then ask your child to draw something they remember. It’s a lovely way to make room for the story behind the celebration.
stamped dreidel garland
Remember the blue stamping setup? Here’s a pretty way to display that kind of artwork.
These white dreidels have rows of blue squares, circles and little rectangular prints.
I love that some marks are darker than others. Hang the finished shapes along a ribbon rather than trying to make every print look perfect.
Hanukkah picture search
The little-detail fans are going to love this! This busy I Spy sheet mixes dreidels and menorahs with other Jewish symbols and objects, with a picture key along the bottom.
Try finding one kind of picture at a time. Your child could choose a different crayon color for each group as they count.
blue stars with streamers
These hanging stars may just be my favorite decorations here. I love the overlapping blue patches and the long blue-and-white streamers underneath.
For a similar window craft, try translucent craft paper inside a star outline. Have an adult hang it out of reach of young children, away from candles.
blue and white treat tray
How cute is this blue-and-white spread? The pale blue pretzels, bowls of blue candies and piles of marshmallows make such a pretty combination.
Turn the idea into a small decorating activity with age-appropriate treats, checking allergies first. Kids could add sprinkles to a cookie rather than help build the whole tray.
Keep decorative ornaments separate from the food.
Read also: 20 Kwanzaa Craft Ideas and More Creative Activities for Kids
painted pretend candles
Last but definitely not least, we have these cute pretend candles. The blue-painted tubes have tall blue centers topped with oversized yellow flames.
Let your kids experiment with light and dark blue marks for that patchy painted look. Keep the flames as cutouts so the finished decorations stay completely flame-free.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Alessandra