Hanukkah Kids' Craft: Sponge Print Menorah

There are eight great nights for Hanukkah crafts for kids! The other day I was cutting apart a kitchen sponge. Not just for fun, but to make a stamper. After I coaxed the shape out of the sponge, I had all of these little bits left over. Not wanting to waste them, I put them to work in a menorah print project.

Not only does this children’s art activity teach your young artist about print-making, but it also acts as a holiday lesson. Sure, your preschooler can’t light the menorah by himself. But, with this printing project he can paint on a new flicker every night. Your child can also explore shape, texture, pattern and color!

Add some math to this activity too. Your child can cut out and print basic shapes, create patterns and count up to eight (actually nine, with the central ‘helper’ shamash candle).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        A sponge

·        Tempera paints

·        Card stock paper

·        Scissors

Here’s What to Do:

1. Cut the sponge. Make geometric shapes (and have your child name them) or cut apart free-flowing forms.

2. Pour a few pools of paint. If you don’t have a palette, use a piece of wax paper or a paper plate.

3. Dip a sponge piece into the paint, coating one side completely. Press it onto the paper to make a print.

4. Repeat the paint print step, making a menorah. Your child can design whatever type of menorah he can imagine! He can also create color or shape patterns with the sponge printing.

5. Add nine candle to the top of the menorah. Use a thin rectangle-shaped sponge to do this. The middle candle (the shamash) is used to light the others. This one can be a bit taller than the rest of the candles.

6. Paint print a flame on for each night of Hanukkah. Go back to the art activity each night, adding a new yellow top to each candle with yellow tempera and a small sponge piece.

Are you looking for more kids’ crafts? Follow my Pinterest board for ideas!

Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Creative Kids Crafts on Pinterest.