By Carolyn Lanzkron

Here’s a quick and easy Hanukkah craft for kids. We made Hanukkah candle magnets by painting a couple of those promotional business card magnets that seem to breed behind our refrigerator.

Materials:

2 junk mail magnets (you can always buy the magnets if your junk mail supply runs low)
Paint
Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut one magnet horizontally into nine candles–8 Hanukkah candles + 1 for the shamash (the central candle on a Menorah used to light the other candles).
2. Cut the second magnet into 9 oval-shaped flames.
3. Have your child paint each of the candles whatever colors they desire. (Note: my standard painting setup is a paper shopping bag taped to the kitchen table and yogurt-container-lid paint palette.)
4. Paint the candle flames separately. Glitter paint works well for the candle flames (not necessary, but nice) to make them sparkle.
5. Allow candles to dry.
6. Let your child play with the candles on any magnetic surface- fridge, laundry machine, dishwasher, etc.

For magnet storage, a carefully opened (so no sharp edges) and well washed metal can makes a fantastic storage container for play magnets (I used one of Costco’s 4.5 lbs of tuna but a coffee can would also work well). Since the container itself attracts the magnets, its outside can be used for play, while the contents don’t spill when the can is knocked over.

And best of all, you and your children can make all sorts of custom magnets (alphabets, shapes, numbers, stars) from this basic idea.

Submitted by Carolyn Lanzkron at Juggling Frogs

© 2010 – 2012, Stephanie Meade. All rights reserved.

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