Chanukah Handprint Menorah

Celebrate the Festival of Lights by making a menorah with your very own handprints!

1. Chanukah, The Festival of Lights, is celebrated with the lighting of one candle in a menorah each night for 8 nights. A tall candle, called the shamos, is used to light the smaller candles.

2. Spread newspaper over your work area. Pour Crayola® Washable Finger Paint into foam produce trays. Dip both hands, with fingers slightly spread, into the paint.

3. In the middle of construction paper, line up your paint-covered hands side by side, with your thumbs touching. Gently and firmly press hands onto the paper.

4. Dip your index (pointer) finger in paint. Place your finger above your thumbprints to make the middle, highest candle, called a shamos.

5. Wash or wipe your hands thoroughly. Put a finger into yellow, white, and/or red paint. Press on top of each candle to create flames.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Recycled Foam Produce Trays—Wash in hot, soapy water. No meat or poultry trays should be used.

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Crafts

crayola supplies

• Washable Fingerpaints

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• construction paper
• paper towels
• recycled foam produce trays
• container(s) of water

"How clever. Our children sent menorahs to their grandparents."
Rachel L., mom of two kids ages 4 and 7.

"We 'lit' one candle each day. History took on new meaning, and we found out more about fire colors, too."
Steve R., neighborhood center art volunteer.

Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrates a great military victory over the Greeks and the miracle of how the Holy Temple's menorah stayed lit for 8 days with very little oil. Menorahs originally were small, individual lamps placed outside homes to show the miracle of the holiday. Candles became more widespread when the tradition was moved indoors.