Flames flicker by the window, while inside your children smile proudly by their creations. Here, three kid friendly crafts for items your kids will use over and over again as we light the menorah.

Crafts by Esti Vago
Photography by Chaya Miller

Light, Lighter, Lightest

Ombré dip-dyed candles look so pretty and sophisticated, yet are so simple to make.

You’ll need:

• 8 white taper candles
• 12–14 small Chanukah candles in the colors of your choice
• Tall hot cup
• Hot water

Instructions:

I recommend covering your surface with a disposable tablecloth before beginning.

1. Choose a color scheme and select 12–14 small Chanukah candles in that color. If there is more than one shade of the color, even better, the ombré effect will be stronger, but keep them in two separate piles, and use the lighter shade first.

2. Fill your hot cup with hot water. Break your small candles up over the cup, and let the wax melt in the water. Once it’s fully melted, dip your taper candle in all the way until the bottom of the cup and swiftly pull it out. Hold it for about a minute until it dries fully. Repeat with the rest of your candles.

3. For the next layer, reheat the water (in the microwave or add more hot water), and add more candles if needed. Dip your candles in, but not as deeply as the first time, and hold to dry again. Continue to repeat the same process, dipping it less and less deeply for each additional layer. As the layer of wax builds up, the color will get darker, creating an ombré effect. You can add your darker shade of wax at any of these subsequent rounds for a stronger color contrast.