Candy Cane Ornaments (Great Fine Motor Activity).

My kids and I have been making bead candy cane ornaments for our tree, both boys have food allergies and regular candy canes are out. This is a great way to decorate the tree with candy canes and have no temptation to eat them!

I saw a beaded candy cane hanging on a three in our local park district building, I remembered having these on our tree when I was a kid. There pretty simple to make, you need a 6 inch white or red pipe cleaners (you can always get the 12 inch and cut them in half), 17 clear or white tri-beads (plastic), 16 red tri-beads (solid or translucent), wire cutter or strong scissors. The supplies listed are to make just one candy cane.

Cut the pipe cleaner in half (only for 12 inch pipe cleaner). Double one end of the pipe cleaner over itself about a quarter of an inch from the end, this will keep the beads from falling off. Start off with a white or clear bead, pushing it all the way to the end. Add two red beads, then add two white/clear beads (alternating between the two colors). After the last bead goes on, bend the end of the pipe cleaner and tuck the sharp end into the last bead. Bend the candy cane into a hook shape and hang it up!

This is a great project to help build fine motor skills, both my boys have some delay in their fine motor skills and this has been fun for them!