Origami Dreidel Craft For Chanukah

Origami dreidels are simple to make and can be used in so many fun ways, for example for Chanukah garlands, Chanukah place cards, Chanukah greeting cards, Chanukah cake/doughnut toppers, and even as Chanukah gift tags! So get started today making origami dreidels in a range of colors/patterns and sizes to fill your home with holiday cheer! I have altered the traditional dreidel instructions to make an origami dreidel that I think is a bit more pleasing to the eye, and I’ve indicated that extra step in the instructions that I’ve compiled. While you can of course choose to make solid colored dreidels, they look just so much cuter with the simple addition of a little cut paper star or cut out of some kind, take my word for it! While I had not planned on origami for Chanukah, it just sort of happened, and now I’m going to town with origami, this week, so stay tuned for that, and make sure to have some light weight colored paper on hand, either origami paper or wrapping paper, because you are going to need it! Okay, lets get started!

You’ll Need:

• origami paper squares, (or lightweight paper) mine are 12cm x 12cm, a perfect size which produces a 6cm wide dreidel
• a glue stick
• scissors

How To:

Assemble dreidels according to folding instructions below. I have added an extra step that involves cutting (not traditionally part of origami, but that is okay, I have some origami books that do allow one to make a few cuts, so if cutting makes the dreidel better, then that is what we need to do, right?

Use small paper scraps to decorate dreidels with simple paper shapes or cut outs, this step makes a world of difference if you are using solid colored paper, so don’t omit it! If you choose to use patterned paper, which also looks great, you can likely omit the paper cut outs.

Cute as can be right?
Here are the completed dreidels without the paper cut-outs……they sure do look plain!
This is what the back of the dreidel looks like. If you do a super neat job and then also glue down the folds this could hang as a mobile piece where both sides are seen, but that will be difficult for most folks to achieve, so think of this as a one-sided dreidel, namely to be seen from one side.

Here are the instructions, the last step on the top row, far right is a bit difficult to explain, so consult my photo above the instructions to see what the results should look like, I had to figure this one out, and I almost gave up, but don’t! Plus you have the benefit of my photo of the back side, which I did not find when I searched for instructions, so lucky you!

These dreidels are simple to make and add a festive touch, where ever you decide to use them. I will be using them in a wall hanging for starters, so stay tuned!