Kid Friendly Menorah

Happy Chanukah! I’ve been busy the last couple of days getting ready for Chanukah, it kind of snuck up on me. Right now it doesn’t make sense for us to have a really menorah. Keira’s 3 she can kind of be trusted to not touch things but I don’t trust myself completely with candles ;). I decided to put together a little menorah with paper straws that my daughter could be involved with “lighting”.

All the supplies are Target dollar section. You can do any colors you want, you need: paper straws, wrapping paper, pipe cleaners, a cereal or cracker box and tape to hold it together.

I used a box of Cheez-its, a cereal box would work too. I drew a line in the center of the top of the box. Then I cut along that line all the way around the box. I didn’t measure or use a ruler but you could if you want it exactly even, I like to live a little more dangerously ;). Just make sure to cut lengthwise to get the most length for your menorah.

I then used the pen to make 9 Xs. Evenly spread out 4 on each side about an inch apart and added a little extra room around the middle one. Use a sharp scissors to poke holes in the Xs, besides the middle X. Then take a paper straw and place it in the X to round it out and see if you need to cut more.

Wrap it up in any color wrapping paper you have or any color you want to use. Feel with your finger where the hole is under the wrapping paper. Take your scissors and poke a hole in the wrapping paper. Repeat this with all 8 holes.

Take the other half of the box and cut a two square inch piece on one side then continue to cut around to the other side. Cut the same amount out on the other side. Cut one X in the center and poke the straw in to round it out just like with the bigger piece. Then wrap it and poke a hole. You will then tape this piece on top of the other box just make sure not to cover any of the other holes.

Dance break! You are almost done but I like to take a little dance break to make it more fun or dance the entire time!

Take 3 pipe cleaners any color you want to use yellow, gold or any shiny color works. I used silver since that is what I had on hand. Cut them up into 3 even pieces. Fold the piece down into a U shape. Then twist the bottom half together. You can also bend the top tip to make it appear more like a flame.

Then put all of the paper straws in or you could add a new one each day. We will just be adding a new “flame” every night of Chanukah. It’s a fun way to get younger kids involved with lighting the menorah! It also is a cheap decoration for a Chanukah party. Happy Chanukah!

-Val Event Gal