Paper Candy Canes
Looking for a craft to do with the Kids while they are out for Christmas break? These are great for keeping them busy, and then use them to decorate the house for the holidays when they are done! I found the original idea here, and then let my kids get creative and make the stripes any way they wanted. It ended up keeping 2 ten year old girls busy for over an hour! Not bad for such a thrifty craft!
What you will need:
Paper (printer paper is fine)
markers and/or pens
tape
scissors
Pencil or straw
Begin by cutting a regular sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper into a square. If you haven’t done that before, you fold it into a triangle and trim off the left over rectangle. Unfold to reveal a square. Now that you have that done, begin your pattern. If doing it with kids I would encourage something under the paper to prevent them from writing on your table. Begin making large letter “L” shapes to cover your paper like this:
Create this pattern 5-6 times. Once you have done that flip your paper over so that the pattern is face down. Take the end that doesn’t have the pattern and begin to roll around a pencil or a straw. Once you have rolled it a few times, take the pencil or straw out, but continue to roll the paper.
Once your paper is rolled into a tube shape, secure it shut with a small piece of tape. (Should be in the middle where my thumb is in the photo)
Trim the ends so that they are flat. Take one end and roll it around a fat marker to create the cane portion. This will flatten your paper, but will give it a nice cane shape.
There you have it! Create several and make a nice garland. Hang a few from the Christmas tree. Add some to a jar for a festive center piece. So many possibilities for supplies that you have around the house!
