Candy Cane Reindeer Ornaments

Everyone will want to play with this cute red-nosed candy cane Reindeer! He's quick and easy to make for your kids' friends or your co-workers.

All you need is:

• 6 inch candy cane
• brown pipe cleaner
• small red pom-pom
• 1 pair of wiggly eyes
• White craft glue

Take an 18 inch pipe cleaner and cut in half. Wrap one half around the hook of the candy cane and twist tightly.

Cut the other half into 2 pieces. Twist each of those pieces around the pipe cleaner already fastened to the candy cane.

Glue red pom-pom onto the tip like a nose. Glue on the wiggly eyes.

See? Super easy!

I had grand ideas of my kids doing these on their own. No such luck. My 3, 5, and 6 year olds couldn't figure out how to hold the pipe cleaners and twist them at the same time. And the eyes were too tiny for their little fingers to glue on. Gluing the pom-pom was the extent of their contribution.

Even though they didn't do much, my children had fun. And that's what counts. I'll try this idea again in a couple of years when their fine motor skills are a little more developed.

I like to pair our activities with the children's Christmas books in our collection. There are 2 different books you could read with candy cane reindeer: The Legend of the Candy Cane or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The reindeer also make wonderful small gifts for family, friends, and co-workers. If you want to add a non-offensive faith element to your gift, print a version of The Legend of the Candy Cane (The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel has a great example) on a small piece of paper and attach it to the reindeer with ribbon.

Do you have any memories of making this classic Christmas craft as a child? 

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