Menorah Moments

Here are simple instructions for building a foam menorah to celebrate Hanukkah.

Menorah Moments

Children will delight in crafting this foam representation of a Hanukkah menorah. What makes this menorah even more special is the promise of a planned family activity that is written on each flame.

Holiday Hints

Instead of gluing the candlesticks onto the foam sheet, write the name of a Hanukkah story on the back of each of them. Let the kids take turns picking a candlestick as well as a flame to glue onto the menorah. Read the story they pick (but not by the candlelight, which should be used only as a symbol). Ask them what they think of the accounts and how they could take the message of Hanukkah with them throughout the year.

Level: Easy

Time involved: One to two hours

Materials:

  • White, blue, and yellow foam sheets
  • Scissors
  • Fine-tipped magic marker
  • Glue gun
  • Hole punch
  • Yarn
  • Velcro tape

  1. Cut a piece of white foam sheet into a 12-inch square.

  2. Help your kids cut nine candles out of the blue foam sheet, each approximately 1 x 8 inches.

  3. Cut oval flames approximately 1 1/2 inches long out of the yellow foam sheet.

  4. Using a fine-tipped marker or pen, write a special Hanukkah activity on the back of the flames (such as baking Hanukkah cookies, playing spin the dreidel, making Hanukkah gifts, or playing a family game).

  5. Glue the candles equally spaced onto the white foam sheet. Glue the middle shamash 1 inch higher than the other candles.

  6. Cut a rectangle out of the yellow foam sheet that is 1 x 12 inches, and glue this to the bottom of the candles to form a candle base.

  7. Punch a hole in the right and left corner of the top of the white foam sheet. Thread an 18-inch piece of yarn through the holes and knot in place for hanging purposes.

  8. Cut a small piece of Velcro and glue it onto the back of each flame. Glue the matching pieces of Velcro onto the foam sheet above each candle.

  9. Place the flames in a small bag or box. On each day of Hanukkah, have the kids take turns picking a flame out of the bag and gluing it onto the appropriate candle.

Enjoy the activity written on the back of the flame. This foam menorah could be used year after year. You might want to change the activities on the flames occasionally.