37 Judaica Crafts + DIY Jewish Gifts for Hanukkah
37 Judaica Crafts + DIY Jewish Gifts for Hanukkah
Hanukkah gift giving is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the Jewish holiday than with some handmade Jewish art? I wanted to put a DIY touch on the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah gifts this year, so I'm sharing 37 Judaica crafts that make great DIY holiday gifts!
But you don't have to wait until Hanukkah to make some of these fun projects. They represent a variety of special events in the Jewish culture, so you can use these craft projects year-round!
I hope you find some fun Jewish art in this blog post and learn to celebrate our beautiful culture, courtesy of a creative Jewish mom!
What is Judaica Art?
Judaica art is where the Jewish community's creative side comes to life. It's a fantastic mix of creative pieces, from menorahs to mezuzahs, that express the rich combination of the life, history, and traditions of the Jewish people.
It's not just art; it's a way to connect with your roots and show your Jewish pride. You can buy expensive pieces in a Judaica store, or even find some with affordable pricing. But as I like to say, why buy when you can DIY? Whether it's decorating your home or adding a special touch to holiday celebrations, making Judaica art is both fun and educational!
What do I need to Make Judaica?
There are many Hanukkah craft kits you can buy online to make Jewish art, but the good news is that you can make most of these crafts below with basic craft supplies you probably already have.
As a Jewish mom, I've always loved doing Jewish holiday crafts and Shabbat arts with my entire family.
37 DIY Judaica Crafts
DIY Judaica Crafts for Kids
From Star of David crafts to DIY Hanukkah decorations, these Hanukkah craft ideas are great for the whole family. These fabulous crafts are a great opportunity to teach Jewish children about their culture and heritage.
DIY Menorah
The Hanukkah menorah is a very important part of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Teach your children about the importance of this Jewish symbol by having them make their own menorah! Gift this special menorah to a friend or use it during your own Hanukkah celebrations.
DIY tzedakah pouch
Involve your little one in making this DIY tzedakah pouch for a fun Judaica craft that brings you together. It’s one of the fun ways to encourage the act of giving & charity!
Paper bag dreidels
This fun craft is one of the easiest ways to get your kids in the Hanukkah spirit and helps younger children learn the Hebrew letters on the dreidel.
Aleph – bet magnets
Another great way to practice the Hebrew alphabet is to make your own aleph-bet magnets by gluing wooden magnet blocks together. Caution, magnets can be a choking hazard, so supervision is required with very young children.
Festival of Lights Menorah
The Festival of Lights is a huge part of Jewish life. Teach your children about the importance of Hanukkah and what the menorah symbolizes with this painted menorah craft. Plus, it makes a beautiful art piece to hang up during Hanukkah season!
Star of David Sun Catcher
The Star of David is very prominent in Jewish art due to its importance to the Jewish culture. How beautiful are these Star of David suncatchers? This easy craft is great for fine motor skills practice, but teens love this Judaica craft too!
Faux Stained Glass Star of David
Kindergarten-age children will love learning about the importance of the Star of David’s six points with this faux-painted glass technique. These beautiful crafts also make a great Hanukkah decoration.
Glittery Dreidel Snow Globe
Done playing the Dreidel game at the end of the Hanukkah season? Use one to make a glittery dreidel snow globe! This easy Hanukkah craft also makes a great DIY gift.
Paper Dreidel Origami
These paper dreidel origami decorations are more than just festive decor! Open one each night of Hanukkah to reveal a fun family activity – how exciting!
Felt Dreidel Banner
Get your kids involved with the wall decorations for Hanukkah this year by making a felt dreidel banner together!
Mini Havdalah candles (twisted Hanukkah candles)
Did you know that you can make Havdalah candles from leftover Hanukkah candles? No need to grab the beeswax sheets or special supplies for this fun and interactive Havdalah lesson!
Hebrew Name Bracelets
Looking for a Jewish name craft to teach about the significance of a given name? These Israeli-inspired Hebrew bracelets are easy to make and help kids connect with their Jewish identity. Plus, they're great for Hebrew vocab practice too! Give these bracelets as a thoughtful handmade Hannukah gift, or turn them into name necklaces.
Jewish Finger Puppets
With a little help from an adult, kids can make these adorable finger puppets and engage in some meaningful Jewish imaginary play! These would make a great gift for a young kid learning about the story of Hannukah.
DIY Star of David Ornament
All you need to make this simple craft are some popsicle sticks, hot glue, blue paint, and a little bit of glitter. Making these Stars of David ornaments would be a fun Hanukkah party activity for younger kids. Check out Instructables for step-by-step instructions.
DIY Judaica Crafts for Teens & Adults
Looking for Judaica crafts that are good for teens and adults? From DIY wall decorations to classic Chanukah crafts, here are some ideas that are great for keeping holiday traditions alive.
Rhinestone Menorah
A great way to celebrate the holiday season is with menorah crafts that sparkle! This DIY rhinestone menorah is will look beautiful as it's lit for each of the 8 days of Hanukkah fun.
Dreidel Hand Soap
Looking for unique Hanukkah decorations or Jewish gifts? This DIY Dreidel Hand Soap is perfect to use for your Chanukah party this year or as a Chanukah gift! Soap making is a great craft for older children. Check out this post for full instructions!
Crochet Star Trivet
Stuck inside on a rainy day? Try this crochet start trivet using t-shirt yarn! This modern twist on the Star of David makes a great DIY Chanukah gift or holiday gift!
Beaded Tree of Life
This project is a little more intricate, but makes a stunning Tree of Life pendant! What a beautiful handmade Judaica item to keep or gift to a loved one!
DIY Clay Dreidel
Have you ever wanted to make clay dreidels, just like the song says? Now you can with some Sculpey clay! These dreidel crafts are easy to make and can be used with chocolate coins to play the dreidel game.
DIY Clay Mezuzzah
Don’t put the clay away just yet – when you’re done making clay dreidels, why not try a DIY clay Mezuzah? The brushed metal finish on these makes them look authentic!
Hanukkah Dreidel Wall Art
This abstract-inspired dreidel wall art is so easy to make and can be adapted to any style. This is a great choice for teens to get involved with making Jewish art and Hanukkah decor!
Dreidel cap collage
If you know me, you know I love recycled art! Combine a mitzvah (helping to take care of the earth) and art, and I’m all ears! This bottle cap dreidel collage is a fun way to keep old bottle caps out of the trash. It’s perfect for older kids and teens.
Shabat Candle Lighting Sign
This DIY Judaica craft is both beautiful and practical, as you can use it to display Shabbat candle-lighting times.
Plastic Canvas Jewish Star Ornaments
These needlepoint Jewish Star ornaments made with plastic canvas make gorgeous decorations for your next Jewish holiday!
Quilled Hanukkah Crafts
Have you heard of quilling? It’s the art of coiling and shaping paper to make intricate designs. These quilled Hanukkah crafts are just gorgeous and would make the perfect wall decor during the Hanukkah season!
Paper Dreidel Garland
I love the abstract twist on the dreidel shape in this paper dreidel garland tutorial. The possibilities are endless for this festive Hanukkah decoration with different patterns of paper.
Black Glue Kotel Art
This Kotel art project is great for kids and adults. The DIY black glue contrasts so well with the watercolors for a unique pop of color.
Pesach craft (Elijah’s cup)
Looking for a Pesach craft this year? Make a beautiful, handmade Kos Shel Eliyahu (Elijah’s Cup) with glass paint!
Passover Cups
You can also make Passover cups using Dollar Tree supplies. Check out two different techniques from Creative Synchronicity!
Dreidel Wreath
If you have a wreath for every season, you can’t forget the Hanukkah season! Display this DIY dreidel wreath to add a festive touch to the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah Origami
DIY your Hanukkah party decorations this year by making some dreidel and Star of David origami! String them together, and you have a festive garland to celebrate with.
Jewish Crafts You Can Buy
I love homemade crafts, but sometimes you just don't have the time to get together all of the materials. Here are some fun crafts projects you can buy that are ready to go - so you can still create loving family traditions no matter how busy you are!
Jewish Canvas Art
Make some stunning Jewish canvas art with this paint by numbers activity. This is a great craft for young kids that love painting, and conveniently comes with the acrylic paints you need.
Jewish Scratch Art
Do you remember scratch art? These would be a fun activity to have as a Hannukah party or even to use as gift tags with a homemade gift!
Jewish Velvet Art
Velvet art is another nostalgic craft this so much fun! I love this velvet art kit that depicts spending time with family on Hannukah.
Jewish Sand Art
This Jerusalem sand art craft would be such a fun Jewish activity to go along with learning about the importance of Jerusalem. The end result is beautiful!
Jewish Coloring Books
This coloring book has pages for all of the Jewish holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Hannukah, and more. Kids can easily make Jewish holidays arts throughout the year!
Sponge Painting Set
Make some beautiful Jewish sponge painting with these Hannukah sponges. After your painting is dry, add some Jewish art stickers or Israel stickers! You could also use some Jewish stencils, Jewish foam shapes, or Jewish rubber stamps to add more variety and detail to your painting.
The Importance of Judaica Art
These 37 Judaica crafts and DIY Jewish gifts are more than just projects; they're a celebration of Jewish life, a tribute to Jewish tradition, and a warm embrace of the Jewish community.
As you set off to craft these meaningful items, you're not just making a gift; you're weaving a piece of Jewish heritage. With every brushstroke, stitch, or detail, you're honoring a Jewish tradition that transcends generations.
So, whether you're crafting for a loved one or yourself, each creation is a heartfelt Jewish gift, a token of love that speaks to the beautiful essence of Jewish culture.
Happy Hanukkah!
