12+ Clay Candle Holders for Hanukkah That Wows

I love craft projects that have a purpose after the making part is finished.

That’s exactly why these clay candle holders for Hannukah are so much fun.

Instead of making another flat clay ornament, kids can shape little holders, lantern-style decorations and colorful pieces that can become part of a Hanukkah display.

And the best part? You don’t need fancy sculpting skills. A little air-dry clay, some simple shaping and battery-operated LED tea lights are enough to get started.

These clay activities are easy for little hands, but they still leave plenty of room for imagination. Ready to make something that feels handmade rather than store-bought?

Safety first: These projects are intended for battery-operated LED tea lights. Do not place a real flame or lit Hanukkah candle directly into air-dry clay. An adult should handle batteries, adhesives and any finishing products.

Choose Your Clay Type For This Project
Regular Air Dry Clay | Cornstarch Clay | Homemade Clay

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through them – at no extra cost to you. I only share products that genuinely fit this project and can help make your ceramic mug clay craft process easier and smoother. Your support helps keep ideas like this coming.

1. Purple-and-Blue Clay Star Light Holder

Blue and purple together can make a surprisingly beautiful Hanukkah display.

How to make it

1. Take a piece of air-dry clay and roll it into a thick ball.
2. Flatten it into a chunky disk, roughly the size of an LED tea light.
3. Carefully press a shallow circular recess into the center. It should hold the LED light without being loose.
4. Roll another piece of clay flat.
5. Cut or pinch out several simple five-point stars.
6. Press the stars around the outside of the holder.
7. Add tiny clay dots between the stars.
8. Smooth only the cracked edges. Don’t overwork the surface.
9. Leave the piece to dry completely on a flat surface.
10. Once dry, place the LED light into the center.

The slightly uneven stars actually make this clay craft more charming. Perfect symmetry isn’t necessary.

2. Clay Dreidel Light Holder

Why make a regular round holder when you can turn the base into a playful dreidel-inspired design?

How to make it

1. Roll blue air-dry clay into a thick cylinder.
2. Flatten the bottom.
3. Slightly widen the upper section.
4. Create a small clay stem or handle shape on top.
5. Instead of putting the LED underneath the stem, make a shallow circular recess on the main body.
6. Add simple decorative Hebrew-style-inspired markings only if you are confident about their accuracy.
7. Alternatively, use stars, dots and stripes instead.
8. Let the entire piece dry thoroughly.
9. Place a small LED tea light into the recess.

Keep the design decorative unless you’re sure about the lettering. Cultural details should be handled with care.

3. Clay Menorah-Inspired Nine-Light Display

This one needs a little more explanation.

A traditional Hanukkah hanukkiah has nine candle positions: eight for the eight nights and one shamash.

For a kids’ clay project, I recommend making a decorative LED display rather than attempting to create a functional flame-burning hanukkiah from air-dry clay.

How to make it

1. Roll a long thick piece of clay for the base.
2. Flatten the bottom so it won’t wobble.
3. Make nine small raised clay platforms.
4. Arrange eight positions in a row.
5. Place the shamash position slightly higher or separated visually.
6. Make each platform wide enough to hold a tiny LED light.
7. Press shallow circular recesses into each platform.
8. Add blue, white or silver clay decorations.
9. Allow the entire piece to dry completely.
10. Place battery-operated LED lights into the recesses.

This becomes a fun introduction to the structure of a hanukkiah while keeping the clay project child-friendly.

4. Blue Clay Lantern Holder

This is one of my favorite candle holders made using clay because the light can peek through little openings.

How to make it

1. Roll clay into a thick ball.
2. Hollow it gently by pressing your thumb into the center.
3. Continue widening the inside without making the walls too thin.
4. Flatten the bottom.
5. Make several small star-shaped openings through the front and sides.
6. Keep plenty of clay between each opening so the structure remains strong.
7. Make a wider opening at the top for the LED light.
8. Dry it completely.
9. Place an LED light inside.

The holes create little spots of light when the LED is switched on.

5. Clay Gelt Coin Holder

Here’s a clever twist: make the holder look like a stack of oversized gelt coins.

How to make it

1. Roll several small clay balls.
2. Flatten each into a thick coin.
3. Stack three or four pieces.
4. Press the layers together gently.
5. Make a shallow recess on the top.
6. Add simple star or dot details.
7. Let the holder dry completely.

Kids can paint the edges after drying if desired.

6. Clay Starburst Holder

Want something that looks a little more modern?

How to make it

1. Form a thick round clay base.
2. Flatten the bottom.
3. Make several thin clay strips.
4. Arrange them around the outside like rays.
5. Press each strip into the base.
6. Keep the center clear.
7. Create a shallow LED recess in the middle.
8. Add tiny blue or silver dots.
9. Let it dry naturally.

Don’t make the rays too thin. They can crack while drying if they’re extremely delicate.

7. Clay Menorah Star Tray

This one doubles as a small decorative tray.

How to make it

1. Roll blue clay flat.
2. Cut a large simple star shape.
3. Make the star fairly thick.
4. Slightly lift the edges with your fingers.
5. Create one large shallow recess in the center for an LED light.
6. Add eight tiny decorative dots around the outside to represent the eight nights.
7. Add a slightly larger ninth dot for the shamash.
8. Dry flat.

It isn’t a functional menorah, but it can make a lovely symbolic Hanukkah display.

8. Clay Jelly Doughnut Holder

A little Hanukkah food inspiration never hurts.

How to make it

1. Roll tan or light brown clay into a thick oval.
2. Flatten the bottom.
3. Add a small purple or pink clay center to represent filling.
4. Create a shallow recess on the top.
5. Add tiny white clay dots as powdered sugar.
6. Dry thoroughly.
7. Place a small LED tea light into the recess.

This is decorative only, obviously. Kids should know the clay doughnut isn’t food.

9. Clay Olive Branch Holder

This one gives the project a more natural look.

How to make it

1. Form a thick oval base from clay.
2. Make several tiny leaf shapes.
3. Add a few small oval pieces as olives.
4. Arrange them around the base.
5. Keep the center clear for the LED.
6. Press the decorations firmly into place.
7. Let everything dry.

The leaves can be slightly different sizes. That actually makes the piece look more organic.

10. Clay Blue-and-White Pebble Holder

This is probably the easiest idea in the entire list.

How to make it

1. Roll several pieces of blue and white clay.
2. Shape them into chunky pebble-like pieces.
3. Arrange them in a circle.
4. Press the pieces together gently.
5. Leave a central opening.
6. Check that the structure sits flat.
7. Add a shallow base underneath if needed.
8. Dry completely.
9. Place an LED tea light in the center.

No sculpting experience needed. Kids can do most of this themselves.

11. Clay Hanukkah House Holder

Let’s make a tiny house with a glowing window.

How to make it

1. Form a small rectangular clay house.
2. Flatten the bottom.
3. Add a triangular roof.
4. Press a large window opening into the front.
5. Add a small door shape.
6. Keep the back open enough to accommodate the LED glow.
7. Let the structure dry completely.

The LED should sit outside or behind the structure rather than being enclosed tightly inside it.

12. Clay Crescent-and-Star Holder

A crescent paired with stars gives this one a dreamy nighttime feel.

How to make it

1. Flatten purple or deep blue clay.
2. Form a chunky circular base.
3. Create a crescent shape from another clay piece.
4. Add three tiny stars.
5. Press them around the outside of the holder.
6. Make a shallow recess in the middle.
7. Allow it to dry completely.
8. Add an LED tea light after drying.

Keep the decorations chunky rather than delicate. Little fingers handle them much better.

13. Bonus: Clay Blueberry-Style Bubble Holder

Why not finish with something completely different?

How to make it

1. Make one large round clay base.
2. Roll many tiny blue clay balls.
3. Flatten them slightly.
4. Arrange them around the outside.
5. Press them gently into the base.
6. Create a central LED recess.
7. Add a few white dots between the blue pieces.
8. Dry the holder completely.

The finished surface has a bubbly texture that looks nothing like the standard flat candle holder.

Final Thoughts

One thing I’ve learned from making clay projects with kids is that the best design is usually the one that doesn’t demand perfection.

Air-dry clay is especially forgiving because children can build almost everything from three basic forms: balls, ropes and flattened pieces.

That means these projects can quietly become more than holiday decorations.

They become little exercises in shape, balance, texture and planning.

I also like using LED lights because children can enjoy the glowing effect without handling an open flame.

And if a holder comes out crooked? Keep it.

Those little imperfections are often the details that make handmade diy clay creations feel genuinely personal rather than factory-made.