Menorah Choco-Lollys

              Every year, I make these adorable Menorah Choco-Lollys to give out (besides the fact that I’m a “chocoholic”). They are really easy to make and I've gotten so much positive feedback from them. One year, I made these for the rest of my co-teachers in school. Since I taught a special-Ed class in a regular school, all the teachers and school secretaries were very sensitive towards us and made sure to include us for their classroom activities or give a hand in whatever they could. To show great appreciation, I made dozens of Menorah Choco-Lollys to hand out. During recess, my students walk around the hallways holding the basket of chocolates and handed them out to the teachers and secretaries.

             So many teachers came over the following recess to thank us for the chocolates. They felt it was a special touch since the Menorah Choco-Lollys were specially made for them. They already had gotten tons of the typical chocolate coins in all sizes, silver and Gold, Parve and Dairy.

Now it’s your turn to make them. Just gather all the materials needed and get started!

Chocolate Chips

Menorah Chocolate Molds

Lollypop Stick

Chocolate Wrapping paper

Small clear plastic bags

Ribbon

Labels

Torah Toy carries the Chanukah Chocolate Mold that comes not only with the Menorah's, but can make chocolate Dreidels, Menorahs, Candles, the Star of David, Chocolate Coins, and a "Happy Chanukah" All out of chocolate in one mold!!

Roll up your sleeves, and lets get to work!

              Place water in a pot to boil. Then, place a smaller pot over it with the chocolate chips. Once the water boils, the chocolate will start to melt. Use a spoon to fill up the chocolate molds and place the lollypop sticks. Place the chocolate sheet in the freezer and wait a few minutes. After removing the chocolates from the freezer, take the chocolate wrapping paper and wrap the chocolates tightly. Place a bag over it and tight the ribbon around it.  Stick a label in the back with your own message… And, Walllaaaa! They are ready to eat! Just make sure I’m not around.

Happy Chanukah to All!

Dreidel Sorting

During Chanukah season, we got the dreidels all over the house…. Under the couch, on the counter, on the stairs, in the porch… and some where they should be -the toy closet. I promised my daughter if she would help me “find” (clean-up) all the dreidels we would do an activity together. I gave her the little basket and asked her to place them there. Well, sure enough, she gathered all the dreidels within minutes. Now, it was my turn to come up with the activity.

Way back, we received from one of our shabbos  guest a clear candy dish with several compartments. It’s been sitting on top of my fridge quite a while and figured I’d put it now in good use. I placed it on the floor 

near the dreidels and showed her how to sort the draidels.

For this activity you will need:

Dreidels

A dish with several comportments

If you can’t get access to a dish with several compartments, you can always use several cups. Assign a color for each cup and have your child place the dreidels there.This activity is wonderful because it refines so many skills such as categorization, color recognition and fine motor skills. 

Have a Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah Stick-on-Candles

This Chanukah Stick-on-Candles is tons of fun and little materials are required. I always find children love stickers and enjoy sticking them on anything (yes, even on my kitchen wall)! This activity is educational.  Students can learn the correct way to light the menorah - “lighting” the new candle first every night. The Chanukah Stick-on-Candles activity also reinforces fine motor skills.

For this Activity you will need:

The Chanukah Stick-on-Candles worksheet

Large Labels

Follow this link to download the Chanukah Stick-on-Candles worksheet

Once you printed out the worksheet, make sure you laminated it. This way, you can use the same worksheet over and over again… As many times as you need it! Then, take the large labels and cut several strips. I recommend using the silver labels - it looks nicer and it’s easier to see the candles with the white background contrast. However, if you already have white labels at home, that would work just fine.

Set aside the “Candles” silver strips next to the worksheet. Model with the first candle positioning it on the Menorah and let the child do the rest. Children love to stick on the candles and removing them. Don’t worry if they are not placing the candles in the correct place. It’s just matter of practice… till they get it right!

Have a great Chanukah!