This toilet paper roll menorah is easy to make, and safe for toddlers and preschoolers to “light” by themselves during Hanukkah. Just tuck the tissue paper flames into the cardboard roll candles to set your menorah aglow.
See all of our Easy Menorah Crafts for kids here.
I’m thrilled to share our very first menorah craft with you today. It was so fun and easy to make, and I think the results are down-right adorable.
Edited to add: We’ve since made this kid-friendly wine cork menorah.
Kids can get as creative as they like transforming their toilet paper rolls into candles for their menorah. We kept ours simple, painting them in vibrant colours and adding the details with a liner brush or colourful washi tape.
If you want to make your candles fancier, you can decorate them with buttons, craft jewels, sequins, glitter… the sky’s the limit really.
We made our flames out of tissue paper so they slide in and out of the cardboard tubes easily. That way, little ones can actually “light” their menorah by adding a flame to one of the candles every evening throughout Hanukkah.
If older kids want a more realistic looking flame, they can make these paper circle flames that slide into slits in the top of the cardboard tube.
Related: Toilet Roll Christmas Candles
Supplies:
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- 8 toilet roll tubes
- 1 paper towel roll tube (for the helper candle)
- paint
- paintbrushes
- washi tape
- tissue paper
- glue/glue gun
Time needed: 1 hour
Cardboard Roll Menorah
- Cut helper candle
Cut a paper towel roll to a height that’s slightly taller than the 8 toilet roll tubes.
- Paint cardboard tubes
Paint your cardboard tube “candles” in vibrant colours and allow to dry.
- Assemble menorah
Arrange the cardboard tubes in a straight line, placing the tallest tube (the helper candle) in the center. Attach them to each other with a bit of hot glue.
- Add details
Add colourful details to your tp roll candles using paint, washi tape, craft jewels, sequins, glitter etc.
- Make the flames
Cut or rip a sheet of tissue paper in half.
Fold this half piece in half 2 more times.
Lay it flat and pinch it in the center to pick it up.
Still pinching, use your other hand to gather the excess tissue paper.
Twist and scrunch to form the shape of your candle flame. - Light your menorah
To light your menorah every night, simply tuck a tissue paper flame into the top of one of the toilet paper rolls.
Doesn’t our menorah look adorable sitting on the windowsill?
What a wonderful and safe way for children to learn about and participate in this special Hanukkah tradition.
Keep your eyes on the blog! We’ll be sharing more fun and easy menorah crafts in the coming week!
More Toilet Roll Holiday Crafts:
Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Doug
put a flameless candle light (or led light) in them and youll get glowing candles.
Jackie Currie
Amazing idea, Doug! Thank you!