Holidays on a Budget: Children's Clay Menorah

Your children will love this craft project. They get to play with dough, and have their own little menorah that uses inexpensive birthday candles.

First, you'll want to make some salt dough. (Equal part salt and flour, slowly add boiling water until it is the right consistency. Knead until smooth.) We knew ours was going to be blue, so we tinted our dough so we wouldn't have to use as many coats of paint. Totally optional.

Grab a half-mommy-sized handful, or a kiddo-sized handful of dough. Tear off about a thumb-sized piece and roll into a smooth ball. Press your ball into a stone-like shape. Set aside.

Take the rest of your dough and roll into a smooth snake, about six to eight inches long. We rounded our edges.

Carefully attach your stone shape to the middle. Then start laying out your holes. We started with the middle, then evenly spaced them working our way out. I marked the holes with a skewer, then widened them perfectly with a candle. (One in the center for the shamash, and four on each side.)

Let dry several days. We tried speeding it up with a low oven, but these pieces are so thick that they crack a little, use discretion.

Paint your little menorahs, and enjoy! I thought they looked a little like stone, very nice!