Candy Cane Reindeer Craft

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One of my favorite Christmas crafts that I made as a kid was cute candy cane reindeer to hang in the tree.  Have you ever made those?

You wrapped pipe cleaners around the top of the candy cane to make antlers.  And then glued on googly eyes so it could see.  Most importantly, there would be a red pom pom nose.  It turned out really cute and I loved hanging them all over our tree.

Although inspired by these original candy cane reindeer, this candy cane reindeer craft is more of a craft than an ornament.  It would be really hard to hang on a tree unless you add some ribbon to the back of the candy canes.  Which is always an option.

Instead, I created them for a simple gift idea.  They’d also make an easy Christmas craft for older kids.  And what kids don’t love candy canes during the Christmas season?    

Candy canes make such a great gift for the holiday season.  They’re festive and sweet.  Plus, you can purchase them in large quantities and split them up.  Making them perfect for a larger group.  Think your child’s class, scouts group or a kids book club.

For my kids, it turns out that they really love candy canes.  So, I thought this candy cane reindeer craft would make a nice stocking stuffer.  They’d be really cute sticking out of the tops on Christmas morning.

The Trick About Candy Canes

Candy canes are one of those funny things that I think should be everywhere until the end of the holiday season.

Way before the beginning of the holiday season, I do see them everywhere in shops.

But per my usual procrastination, I don’t plan most of my holiday crafting ahead of time.  Instead, these ideas come to me usually a week or two before the holiday.  Aka the lateness of this blog post.

So, that’s when I head to the store to find candy canes.  And that’s also when you can’t find any candy canes because they’re all sold out.  Somewhere along the way – most likely the third or fourth stop – I think to myself that if only I had the foresight to purchase the candy canes at the beginning of the season.

Don’t be like me.  When you see the candy canes at the beginning of the season, pick up a box or two.  Candy canes have so many uses, I’m sure that even if you don’t make this reindeer candy cane craft you will use them.  Put them on top of gifts.  Hang them on the tree.  Or pop them at neighbor’s doors as a cheery welcome when they come home.

And when you decide that candy cane crafting is on your to do list a couple days before Christmas, you will have some to make with.

Reindeer Candy Cane Craft

Santa’s reindeer.  One of the most magical parts of Christmas.  I can already hear Santa calling them by name.  On Comet.  On Cupid.  Donner and let’s not forget Vixen.

But I still think the most important reindeer of all is Rudolph.  Without him, Santa wouldn’t be able to see and couldn’t drive the sleigh straight.

So, this reindeer candy cane craft features my favorite reindeer – Rudolph.  If you prefer to use one of his other reindeer, just change the pom pom nose to brown.

You Will Need:

Red and White Striped Candy Canes (red and white striped candy canes give a classic look or you could try some of the special flavored kind)

Googly Eyes (affiliate)

2.5 inch wide burlap ribbon (affiliate)

Small Red Pom Poms (for the nose – affiliate)

Clear Tape

Glue Dots (affiliate)

Glue Gun or Tacky Glue (depending on your patience – but if you opt for tacky glue, try this quick dry version to save time – affiliates)

1. Position two candy canes next to each other.  Be sure that the hooks of the candy canes are facing outward in opposite directions.  Tape together using clear tape.  Since you will be covering the tape with burlap ribbon, anything other than clear will be seen.

2.  Measure a piece of 2.5 inch burlap ribbon (affiliate).  If you can’t find burlap ribbon, you could also use pieces of burlap cut into rectangles.  Just be sure to use pinking shears when trimming to prevent the burlap from fraying (affiliate).

Attach the end of the ribbon to the back of the candy canes with three Glue Dots.

3.  Then, wrap the burlap ribbon around the middle of the candy canes creating a band.  If there is excess ribbon, trim to make for a snug fit.

Attach the other end to the back of the candy canes with another three Glue Dots.  If the ribbon doesn’t stay, you can also use a small dab of hot glue to secure in place.

4.  To the center of the band, glue a red pom pom for his nose.  Then, add two googly eyes.  If you don’t want red nosed reindeer, you can always add a brown pom pom instead.

Can I Use this Reindeer Candy Cane Craft with a Group?

This reindeer candy cane craft is the perfect activity for a group.  Since there is hot glue involved, I recommend older kids.  Set it up at a classroom celebration or your kids Christmas party.

When planning this craft, be sure to grab candy canes early in the season.  As mentioned above, they tend to run out fast.

Before guests arrive, carefully remove the candy canes from the box.  I found that candy canes break very easily.  So, it’s important to take them out of the box ahead of time to prevent breakage.

Also, pre-cut the burlap ribbon.  Since the ribbon has a wire in the edges and is of burlap material, you need sharp scissors for cutting.  And the pieces all need to be about the same length. So, it’s best to have this step done in advance.

Depending on the age of your group, you can swap out the hot glue for craft glue (affiliate).  You will just have to give the candy cane craft longer to dry.  If time is an issue, you can also have an adult be in charge of the glue gun and hot glue the elements on for the kids.

Love this Christmas craft idea and want to save it for later?  Be sure to pin it below.

Looking for other reindeer ideas for this Christmas season?  Reindeer are so much fun to make and give around Christmas time.  I love the magic that they bring.  Just think about it.  Without Santa’s reindeer, there wouldn’t be gifts delivered on Christmas night.

For another reindeer candy cane craft, check out these more traditional candy cane reindeer.  We love hanging them in our tree.  It brings our candy canes to life in a whole different way.

We also love making this reindeer out of cinnamon sticks.  He’s so cute with his HUGE red pom pom nose.  And it’s wonderful having the smell of cinnamon wafting through the house.

It’s also fun to leave a treat for the reindeer on Christmas Eve night.  We love sprinkling this magic reindeer food on the ground in front of our home.  It helps the reindeer know where to land.

Reindeer food also makes a wonderful treat to give neighbors and friends.  Package it with our Free Printable Reindeer Food Topper or Reindeer Food Tag.

And if you love peppermint more than reindeer, be sure to check out these beautiful Peppermint Candy Christmas Trees.  They are as sweet as they look and make a beautiful handmade decoration.  Match it with our Free Printable Peppermint Candy Garland and your Christmas decorating will be complete.

There’s so many ways to have fun with crafts during the holiday season.  What are your favorites?  Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Happy Celebrating,
Natalie