Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids; How to Make Candy Cane Holiday Ornamental Decorations Out of Beads

The Christmas holiday season is a time for festive gatherings and creativity. Children and crafting go hand in hand so why not create some wonderful candy cane ornaments for your Christmas tree with your children.

These wonderful ornaments aren't just for decorating your tree, you can use them as party favors too. Add them to your holiday cards or attach them to presents they make great ribbon accessories. Why just send a card when you can send a hand made ornament too. These are perfect for school children to hand out during classroom holiday parties.

These candy cane ornaments are easy to make and kids love to make them. Wouldn't it be nice to have candy canes that won't get eaten? You can decorate with them and have them for many years to come.

To create these wonderful candy cane decorations all you will need is the following.

Tri-beads (white, red); Tri beads are usually sold in packages of 100 pieces. The average cost for these items is roughly 2 dollars.

12 inch pipe cleaners (white); Pipe cleaners are usually sold in packages of 100 pieces. The average price for these items is roughly 2 dollars.

Each 100 piece package of tri-beads will make about 5 candy canes, so purchase enough beads to create the desired amount of candy canes.

Clear a large enough workspace to accommodate all participants who will be crafting candy canes.

Using plastic bowls or trays place colored beads in separate containers for easy access to each.

Precut all pipe cleaners before you begin so children will have all the components ready that are needed for the project.

To make one candy cane you will require the following

20 - Red tri-beads

16 - White tri-beads

1 - 6 inch piece of pipe cleaner (cut 1 12 inch pipe cleaner in half)

First you will need to cut your 12 inch pipe cleaners in half to make 2, 6 inch pieces.

Curl in the end of one of the cut pipe cleaners to prevent beads from slipping off during stringing.

String beads, beginning with the color red, string 4 red beads, then string 4 white beads.

Continue stringing beads in colored intervals until you have five red sections and 4 white sections.

When you have completed stringing all 36 beads, twist the finished end so beads do not slip off the pipe cleaner.

Bend beaded pipe cleaner to resemble a real candy cane and you're finished.

Continue following the directions above to create as many beaded candy canes as you desire.

You don't have to limit your beading to the traditional colors of red and white. You can substitute the white beads for clear beads or use any color combination you require for your festive decorating needs.

No matter what colors you choose, this project is a wonderful way to get children involved in the holiday decorating process. It's fast, easy and can be done with little to no mess at all.

Enjoy this time crafting with your children and their friends, but don't worry if you notice some adults getting in on the fun. Who could resist, this fun and easy craft for the holiday season.

Happy crafting.