4 Menorahs to Craft With Your Kids

Menorahs come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing remains constant — they must have nine candles (eight representing the nights the oil burned and one, called the shamash, that is used to light the others). So leave it to Jodi Levine, crafts editor at Martha Stewart Living, to come up with some creative ways to create menorahs at home. "When [my boys] were very small, we cut out cardboard menorahs and 'lit' them by adding a yellow crayon scribble to the candles each night. More recently, we constructed functional models from wood, glitter, and to hold the candles, hexagonal nuts from the hardware store. They love having their own menorahs to light, while I use the silver one my parents gave me when I first left home."

With Hanukkah starting this week, we turned to Jodi for some fun ways families can make their own menorahs this year. Keep reading for four creative ideas!

Mini Gift Boxes

Mini Gift Boxes

Forget a real flame and go for a more kid-friendly one this year with Jodi Levine's mini gift box menorah.

  1. Use eight small favor boxes and one slightly larger box. Mark the center of the inside flap of each box with a pencil. Punch a hole in each flap with a screw punch. Cut nine four-inch pieces of yellow ribbon.
  2. Fold each piece in half and push the ends through the holes. Hot-glue the ends to the flap.
  3. Attach four small boxes with double-stick tape. Wrap it in silver ribbon, hot-gluing the ends to secure.
  4. Repeat with the remaining four small boxes. Wrap the larger box in silver ribbon. Hot-glue the linked small boxes to either side of the larger box.
  5. Fill the eight small boxes with treats or small gifts, one for each night.
Branch Menorah

Branch Menorah

For a natural menorah, Jodi suggests looking no further than your own backyard.

  1. Find a branch at least 16 inches long, with a raised knot (for the shamash, the candle used to light the other candles).
  2. Mark nine evenly spaced dots with a pencil, one on top of the knot; drill holes with a 3⁄8-inch bit. (Hole size depends on candle size.)
  3. Paint it with craft paint. Let it dry, and affix self-adhesive bumpers to the bottom, if desired.
Olive Oil Lights

Olive Oil Lights

These olive oil lights make for a very traditional menorah, truly exemplifying the story of Hanukkah.

  1. Cover the top halves of eight small jars with masking tape.
  2. Using etching cream, etch the bottom halves according to the product directions. Remove the tape.
  3. Fill the jars halfway with water. Add 1/4-inch of olive oil. Drop a floating wick into each jar, cork side down.
  4. Use a birthday candle in a small, narrow-necked bottle for the shamash.
Bead Blocks

Bead Blocks

For a fun kid-friendly craft, consider using square beads to create a menorah.

  1. Glue together nine square wood beads, holes up.
  2. Top the center bead with a second bead for the shamash.
  3. Hold the blocks together with a rubber band until the glue dries.
  4. Cover the top half of the beads with masking tape. Paint the bottom halves. Remove the tape and insert candles.