These candy cane crafts are a great addition to your list of Christmas activities for preschoolers. You’ll find over 25 candy cane ideas to try with your students, from art you can display in the classroom to candy cane ornaments to hang on the tree.
The candy cane arts and crafts would suit a sweets or peppermint unit, too! So don’t feel like you can only use these ideas during Christmas. In addition to all the creative fun, these candy cane projects let kids explore early learning concepts like fine motor skills. The tough part will be deciding which idea to try first.
Close your eyes and take a moment to think about Christmas. If you’re like me, fond memories will pop up . . . including the delightful scents of evergreen trees and peppermint. There’s just something about peppermint and candy canes that make me smile and think about kid-friendly fun around the holidays.
Candy Cane Crafts
In that vein, take a peek at these amazing candy cane arts and crafts to try with the children soon. They’re hands-on and let the kids get creative with what they’re making.
Even though they’re more crafty than process art, you can definitely let the kids take the lead in each of the candy cane projects. Keep in mind that some of the images might be adult examples. Your students will put their own spin on things, and that’s exactly what you want them to do!
Materials for Your Crafty Christmas Fun
Before we jump into all of the craft ideas, let’s talk supplies. I highly recommend taking stock of what you already have available. Then find your favorite candy cane crafts and check out the materials you’ll need. You might be in luck and have what you already need. If not, this might be a good excuse for a trip to the local craft store!
Here are some materials to have on-hand when making all those awesome candy canes with your students (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Pony beads (mostly red and white, but you can go wild with a rainbow of colors too!)
- Pipe cleaners
- Ribbons
- Puzzle pieces
- Tempera paint
- Construction paper
- Pasta shells
- Cotton balls
- Paint chips
- Real candy canes
That’s no an exhaustive list, but it’s a great place to start. Now you’re ready to be inspired with the arty candy cane ideas below!
Candy Cane Ornaments Kids Can Make
Let’s kick off the candy cane crafts with ornaments your students can make. These are great for family gifts to send home with the kids. The children can decorate your classroom with the ornaments and then take the creations home to trim their own trees. Click on each link below to get more details about each of the ornaments.
- Candy Cane Ornament Craft (with a literacy twist!)
Do you have any fun candy cane ornament ideas your students really enjoy? Feel free to tell me all about them in the comments.
More Candy Cane Crafts
In case you can’t tell, I had way too much fun gathering all of these crafty cane cane projects! Over the years since I first wrote this post, I’ve tried out MANY of them. And added even more to the list.
Please remember to click on the individual candy cane craft links for more details about each idea. The links should line up with the collage images (moving top to bottom, left to right).
Which of these candy cane crafts are you and the kids going to try first?
More Christmas Arts and Crafts
Yes, you can use these crafty candy cane ideas at various points in the year. But we most often see them during the Christmas season, right? So I have a few more resources if you’re on the lookout for more creative Christmas ideas:
- Christmas Popsicle Stick Crafts
- Pine Cone Christmas Crafts
- Preschool Christmas Ornaments
- Christmas Process Art
Those are all collections of fun Christmas arts and crafts to make with the children. So much room for the kids’ creativity to shine through!
Christmas Lesson Plans
Let Preschool Teacher 101 save you a TON of time with done-for-you resources perfect for preschool and kindergarten teachers. We have hundreds of lesson plans, STEM challenges, circle time songs, digital games, math and literacy activities, dramatic play packs, and more. Members of The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 have access to our materials at a very steep discount.
Click on the image below to get your hands on our Christmas lesson plans. They come with a weekly overview, detailed daily plans, whole group lessons, small group activities, center ideas, book suggestions, and related printables.
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Originally published December 7, 2013.
Wow, who’d have thought they’d be so many candy cane craft ideas! Thanks so much for including our tree decorations.
Love your beaded candy canes!
So many great candy cane activities to try!
Thanks, Lisette! You’ll have to let me know which craft you’re going to try first!
Wow, so much candy cane goodness! Thanks for including one of our ideas too!
Loved your idea, Danya! 🙂