The candy cane mouse is a way of giving the candy canes a decorative touch as they hang from your tree. Cut teardrop-shaped pieces of cardboard that are 3 inches from the pointed tip to the bulbous end. Place the stem of a candy cane under each one so the curved end protrudes from the rounded edge of the teardrop. The candy cane will be the tail, while the cardboard is the body of the mouse. Give your preschoolers nontoxic glue, eyes, paper ears and markers to decorate the mice how they want.
Most preschoolers can’t wait to get their hands on candy canes, so gratify them with making a festive treat. Place unwrapped candy canes into sandwich bags. Have the children slam the bags against a table until they crush the candy canes. Cook a bag of butter free popcorn. Place the popcorn in a bowl and, while it’s still steaming, add the crushed candy and mix it around. The candy canes adhere to the popcorn. Add light chocolate drizzle for added flavor and pass it around to the children.
Making a paper candy cane gives your preschooler something to hang on the tree without the temptation of a sugary snack. Draw a candy cane shape on a piece of thick construction paper. Give the children safety scissors to cut around the outline. Give the children scraps of red papier-mache. Let the children glue the papier-mache to the candy cane cutouts in stripes. Set the crafts aside to dry and then help the children hang them on the tree.
Dressing up the candy cane like a reindeer is a simple way to add a touch of decoration to this festive tree decoration. Don’t let the children unwrap the candy cane. Provide them with fuzzy pipe cleaners, fake eyes and a red cotton ball. Help them tie the pipe cleaners around the curved end of the cane for the antlers. Place dots of glue on the side of the candy cane near the end of the curve so they can attach the eyes and nose. Allow the glue to dry.