Thanks to my friend Andy who shared this craft with us! For a full overview of how and why dreidels are played with during Hanukkah click here

- You will need two pieces of construction paper and a pen or pencil, and tape.
- Draw out lines to denote the fold for the top, the side, and then the bottom. I’d make the bottom part a bit longer than I have them so they’ll come together better and so the pen/pencil won’t be lopsided like mine is. It makes 3 sides, but you only need 4 or 2 if you’re doing 2 different colors.

- This is what each side should look like once cut out. Draw the symbols on now, before you make it into the box.

- The four sides place together for the top. Poke the hole now

- Once you fold the four sides up and tape them, fold the corners of each bottom section to form a bit of a point to lead down to the spinning part of the pen/pencil (I think a pencil may work better).
- This is a picture of all the folds that will need to be done

- Then tape all the angled bottoms together and stick the pen/pencil into it.
- Bottom view:

- Top view:

For instructions on how to play with your dreidel and the symbols click here
“Hanukkah Moon” by Debra Da Costa is a magical book, reading it reminded me of reading “The Red Tent” it was very empowering , to see a little girl learn about her aunt’s Mexican Hanukkah traditions and all about Hanukkah moon ! The book is wonderful for anyone, I know for me when I think of Hanukkah I think of friends I grew up with in Canada celebrating and family friends from Isreal but in my limited experience I didn’t think of people in Mexico celebrating and how their traditions would be different from those in Canada or Isreal. Very cool book!
“Hanukkah Haiku” by Harriet Ziefert is a bright and cheery look at the traditions surrounding the holiday within the parameters of a haiku on every page. The illustrations by Karla Gudeon are so detailed I spent ages just looking at all of it. Each page is a haiku that goes along with a night of Hanukkah and it also explains briefly some of the other traditions like playing driedel , eating latkes and chocolate gold coins!
Lauren ~aka Mommy~ says
Great Craft!!
http://4babyandmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/fabulous-blog.html
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
Oh fabulous! I’ve been looking for Hanukkah crafts. And I love all the educational links in this post!
Tanya says
Wonderful idea! Both those books are excellent choices. I have both (and a ton more) on hold at my library already, but the snow here in the Pac NW is preventing me from getting them.:(
Allie says
Tanya, I didn’t know you were in Pac NW, so are we, the snow is just not letting up!