Guess what? Hanukkah is just one week away, so I'm posting the projects as I finish them in hopes that you'll still have some time to join in on the fun. And I think we all need to give a big round of applause to my husband (and children) for their patience during this slightly crazy crafting marathon....because believe me, it's not pretty!
So, phew, I've finally completed a least one major project with my three little ones, this being the first Chanukiah to make it through the gluing assembly line, with two more to go. And I have to say this was a huge success, from applying glitter glue to the aluminum foil boxes, to covering the cardboard tube candles with glitter. My boys (5 and 7) each felt a huge sense of accomplishment, and I know they're going to be so proud when they see how it looks all glued together!
You'll Need:
- a box that holds a roll of aluminum foil or saran wrap, for the base, or improvise....
- cardboard tube for the candles...I used a thicker smaller tube than a toilet paper tube, the kind of tube that one would find in the middle of a huge roll of thick aluminum foil....(yes, I've been saving mine since Pesach!)
- some heavy metallic gold cardstock/cardboard (or improvise or course...cover some paper with metallic gold contact paper etc.)
- heavy aluminum foil, I cut apart a recycled aluminum pan
- silver glitter
- gold sequins
- glitter glue/"tulip" in a few colors
- a few bottle caps for the feet
- hot glue
How To:
- Open your cardboard box so that it's flat. Draw a design on the box with pencil. We left the area where the candles would sit blank, but you can plan ahead and decorate that too if you know the sizes of your "candles" Older children should be encouraged to draw the design themselves, but for my boys I knew they'd enjoy the project more if I gave them something to trace.
- Have the kids trace the design with glitter glue, in a few colors, and set aside to dry.
- Cut the cardboard tube into sections, for candles 3" high and for the shamash, 5" high.
- Brush on watered down glue, and coat with glitter by sprinkling the glitter over the tube and turning the tube as you go. Do this over a plate so use can re-use the glitter that falls.
- Cut out flame shapes from gold cardboard, apply lines of glue, and have kids apply sequins.
- Now.....when everything is dry, heat up the glue gun and start assembling! First glue the box closed so that it's a box once again. Glue at least three bottle caps to the bottom for feet. Then glue the candles to the box. Okay we're almost there! Cut circles of heavy aluminum foil about 1/4" bit larger than the tubes all around, and glue those to the tops of the tubes. Then with scissors make slits in the circle and fold down over the tube to form a cap. Using a knife carefully make slits in the aluminum foil caps, and insert flames.
- Sit down and gaze upon your beautiful creation! If you like, kid's can add their flames as Chanukah progresses.
