Easy DIY Candy Cane Craft: A Fun Toddler and Preschooler Christmas Activity
Easy DIY Candy Cane Craft
The holiday season is the perfect time for simple Christmas crafts that even the littlest family members can help make. If you’re looking for an easy DIY candy cane craft for toddlers and preschoolers, this is it! This candy cane activity helps develop fine motor skills by having kids rip up cotton balls to make stripes on their candy cane. Before gathering the few supplies needed, be sure to pin this cute Christmas craft so you can easily find it later. The step-by-step instructions below walk you through how simple and fun it is to make these handmade candy cane decorations. Toddlers and preschoolers of all ages will love getting creative with this festive holiday kid craft!
Benefits of this Christmas Craft for Kids
Making these easy DIY candy cane crafts with your toddlers or preschoolers is such a fun way to usher in the holiday season. But more than just getting into the Christmas spirit, this craft has some great developmental benefits for little ones:
Fine Motor Skill Development – All that ripping, gluing, and decorating helps build up those tiny hand muscles and coordination. It’s great dexterity practice!
Creativity and Self-Expression – As kids decorate their candy canes however they wish, you foster imagination and individuality. There’s no right or wrong way!
Sense of Achievement – When the craft is complete, they will beam with pride at having made something all by themselves. Celebrate their creation!
Quality Time Together – Crafting side-by-side is such a special way to bond. Laugh and enjoy watching your little one concentrate as they work.
If you’re looking for more easy Christmas craft ideas that come with awesome benefits for toddler and preschool development, check out our craft section!
Gathering Supplies for This Easy Christmas Craft
You most likely already have all the supplies you need for this simple candy cane craft in your home. If not, a quick trip to your local drugstore or dollar store can easily provide your needs. I’ve included affiliate links below to purchase supplies on Amazon as well.
- Pencil – You’ll need a standard #2 pencil to sketch out the candy cane shapes onto the red construction paper before cutting. Any basic yellow pencil will work great.
- Red Construction Paper – We love using classic cherry red paper, but any festive red tone will look fantastic shaped into candy canes. Sturdy construction paper works better than flimsy tissue paper.
- Cotton Balls – Standard large cotton balls are perfect for this project. Try to avoid the extra small cotton pads if possible. The bigger cotton balls are easiest for little hands to rip apart.
- Scissors – Any basic scissors will work, but we recommend kid-safe scissors with blunt ends for little ones. Sharp craft scissors for parents can also help cut the candy cane shapes out neatly.
- Glue – Opt for kid-friendly washable school glue sticks or gluesticks to attach the “candy” cotton to the paper cane cutouts. This helps prevent major messes!
Watch a Step-by-Step Candy Cane Craft Video
You can find more video tutorials on our Youtube Channel
Step-By-Step Instructions to Make the DIY Candy Cane Craft
Making your own candy cane craft at home is so easy, thanks to these simple illustrated instructions. Follow along below to create a handmade Christmas decoration with your toddler or preschooler in just a few fun steps.
- Draw & Cut Candy Cane Shape – Use a pencil to draw a large curved candy cane or “J” shape on red construction paper. Cut it out with kid scissors or an adult’s craft scissors.
- Rip Cotton Balls – Unroll some large cotton balls and pinch or cut them into small strips or pieces to create the “candy” part.
- Glue Cotton to Cane – Apply white school glue or glue stick to the paper and attach the cotton pieces, leaving red spaces to mimic a striped candy cane.
- Decorate (Optional) – Let children decorate their finished candy cane craft with glitter glue, stickers, markers if desired. Get creative!
Christmas Books to Read While Crafting Candy Canes
Making DIY candy cane crafts is even more fun when you combine it with cozying up to a good holiday book! Here are some of our favorite candy-cane-themed Christmas stories to read aloud while creating your edible-looking crafts:
The Legend of the Candy Cane
This classic book explains the Christian symbolism behind the colors and shape of candy canes. Learn the history while making your own.
The Candy Cane Fiasco: A Christmas Storybook
Laugh along to the silly tale of what happens when forest animals get into a box of candy canes. Sweet seasonal fun!
Candy Cane Lane
Take an enchanting journey down a street filled with magical candy cane decorations and lights. Feel the festive cheer!
Pairing a yummy Christmas story with a hands-on candy-themed activity helps build children’s language skills all while enjoying quality family time. So grab one of these candy cane books and get cozy for storytime and crafting!
Spread Holiday Cheer with This Sweet Candy Cane Craft
Whipping up a batch of easy DIY candy cane crafts is such a festive way to celebrate the Christmas season with little ones. We hope you and your toddlers or preschoolers will have fun letting their creativity run wild to design their own candy-striped creations. Don’t forget to take some pictures of the joyful process!
As you craft together and improve those fine motor skills, cuddle up with a candy cane-themed Christmas book for added holiday magic.
If you’re looking for more Christmas craft ideas, ornament activities, or toddler handprint crafts, explore the rest of our site! We have tons of DIY kids craft tutorials perfect for preschool development. Have a very merry holiday season!
