Hanukkah is a time for delicious food, family gatherings, and of course, the thrill of the dreidel game! This year, elevate your Hanukkah celebration by crafting your own unique dreidels. It’s a fun and engaging activity for all ages, and imagine the pride of spinning a dreidel you made yourself!
Why Make Your Own Dreidel?
As a craft enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to personalize celebrations, and making DIY dreidels is the perfect way to add a touch of handmade charm to Hanukkah.
“[Quote about the joy of handmade gifts and decorations, attributed to a fictional crafting expert like ‘Sarah Thompson, founder of CraftHaven’]”
This year, ditch the store-bought dreidels and let’s get crafting!
Gathering Your Dreidel-Making Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to create your own paper dreidels:
Essentials:
- Printable dreidel template (Download a free one [here]!)
- Cardstock (for a sturdy dreidel) or photo paper (for vibrant colors)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Pencil (shorter ones work best for spinning)
Optional Embellishments:
- Embroidery thread and needle
- Beads
- Glue gun
- Pennies
- Sequins
- Googly eyes
- Crepe paper fringe
- Glitter
- Ribbon
- Stickers
Remember, the key is to let your creativity shine! Don’t hesitate to experiment with different materials and add your personal touch.
flat lay of supplies on a gridded cutting mat for printing and making your own paper dreidel such as glue stick, glue gun, scissors, crepe paper fringe, googly eyes, and pennes
Step-by-Step Guide to Assembling Your Paper Dreidel
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Print and Prep: Print the dreidel template on your chosen paper, ensuring it’s at 100% scale. If you’re using thin paper, consider gluing it onto cereal box cardboard for added strength.
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Cut it Out: Carefully cut around the outline of the dreidel shape.
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Fold Along the Lines: Fold along the dotted lines. This will create the edges of your dreidel.
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Prepare the Spinning Point: Using the tip of your scissors or a craft knife, carefully create a small ‘x’ cut where indicated on the template. This is where your pencil will go to make the dreidel spin.
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Glue and Assemble: Apply glue to the flaps of the dreidel and carefully fold it into shape. Make sure the edges are aligned for a polished look.
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Insert the Pencil: Push the pencil through the hole you created in step 4. The eraser end should be inside the dreidel, forming the spinning point. If the pencil feels loose, secure it with a dab of glue.
flat lay on white table of white cut-out paper pieces for a paper dreidel with blue string and beads sewn to some edges of the paper
Tips for Dreidel Decoration and Play
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Even Weight Distribution: For a balanced spin, ensure any decorations are distributed evenly on all sides of the dreidel. Otherwise, it might always land on a specific side!
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Creative Customization: Let your imagination run wild! Glue on sequins, wrap with colorful tape, add googly eyes—the possibilities are endless!
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Fringe Benefits: For a festive touch, add a fringe to the top of your dreidel using glue or by sewing it on for a more polished look.
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Beads and More: Thread beads onto embroidery floss and tie them around the edges of your dreidel for a whimsical, personalized touch.
Close up image of two handmade paper dreidels made from a printable PDF. One is green with a yellow pencil end on top and the other is blue with a blue pencil on top as well as pennies glued to the sides
Ready to Spin!
Congratulations! You’ve crafted your very own Hanukkah dreidel. Gather your family and friends, grab your gelt (or chocolate kisses!), and let the games begin!
This Hanukkah, add a personal touch to your celebrations with DIY dreidels. It’s a fun and rewarding activity that will bring joy to everyone involved.
Looking for more handmade gift ideas for Hanukkah or any occasion? Explore the unique selection of handcrafted treasures on Robert Kline Art!