8 Great Chanukah Activities: Day 3 Hand-print Menorah Shirts

I am such a sucker for hand-print art, and not a Chanukah has gone by in this house since S was born without a hand-print menorah, or two, or three, or four... But how many posters, signs, cards and laminated menorah drip mats can you really have? (I'll tell you, actually, you can have a lot...) We've hand-printed menorahs onto decorations, in our journals, onto gift-wrap and greeting cards and more. This year, I wanted to do something a little more permanent, fun and functional with the boys, so we made hand-print menorah t-shirts! These [literally] one of a kind keepsakes are so much fun to make and wear. S and Y both wore them on the first day of Chanukah and probably would have tried to create another Chanukah miracle if they could come up with a way to make those shirts last for all 8 days without needing a run through the washing machine...

Here's what you'll need to make your own One of a Kind Hand-Menorah Shirts:

• 1 white (or other solid color) t-shirt or sweatshirt for each set of hands involved
• fabric paint in at least two colors--one for the menorah and one for flames. We used glitter puffy fabric paints in blue and gold. S wanted to add green paint as well, so if you have an eager artist, you may want additional colors
• baby wipes or a wet rag.paper towel are an addition I highly recommend having at the ready for each hand to be wiped down after you print
• paper plate
• cardboard to insert inside shirt so the paint doesn't bleed through and stick
• place mats, recycled newspaper or disposable tablecloth to protect your work surface
• smock to protect clothing you don't want hand print menorahs on!

With the younger crowd, I recommend doing this project one kid and one hand at a time. Y did it with me while S was in school and S got his turn that afternoon. Squeeze some fabric paint in your designated menorah color onto a paper plate and have your child dip one hand in. You'll want to make sure the hand is fully covered in paint before transferring it onto the fabric for best results. Have your child position his/her hand onto the same side (left side for left hand and right side for right) of the center of the shirt, fingers spread to create the "candles." You may want to assist in positioning and adequately pressing the hand down and then carefully lifting to reveal the exciting results. Wipe the first hand with a wipe or wet towel and then repeat on the other side so the hands meet with thumbs touching for the "shamash" in the center. Wipe the second hand and at this point, we like to wash with soap and water before beginning to add details.

For Y, I added the flames. S added his own. We just squeezed dots of gold glittery fabric paint, but alternatively children can use a finger and dip into a puddle of paint squeezed on a plate to create fingerprint flames. I painted "Happy Chanukah" onto the bottom of each shirt as well and you can do the same if you wish. 

For a creative spin on this project, you could make a hand-print menorah apron for frying latkes and donuts (that's some messy business right there!) or hand towels, tote bags to wrap a gift, a solid color necktie, or even a pillowcase or blanket. These would all make lovely gifts for loving relatives or friends. This is definitely hands-on fun for the whole family! We'll be back with another great activity tomorrow. Until then...

Happy Chanukah and Happy Playing!