Holiday Crafts

Hi, CMBC members! It's time to "deck the halls" because Christmas is only weeks away! With just a few pipe cleaners, a handful of colorful beads, and a dash of creativity, you can create your own holiday-inspired decorations!

Candy Canes

What You'll Need:

• Green pipe cleaners

• Red and white plastic beads

• Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut a pipe cleaner in half.

   
   

   

   
   

2. Slide the beads on the pipe cleaner in alternating colors (ex. red, white, red, white, etc.).

   
   

   

3. Bend the ends of the pipe cleaner over the beads to keep the beads from sliding off.

   
   

4. Bend the top of the pipe cleaner over so that it looks like a cane. Voila!

Special thanks to Mandy Milks from Today's Parent for this great activity!

Snowflakes

What You'll Need:

• Pipe cleaners

• Colorful plastic beads

• Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut two pipe cleaners in half.

   
   

2. Place one pipe cleaner horizontally on the table. Put a second pipe cleaner vertically on top of the first pipe cleaner in the center; it should look like a plus sign. Twist the pipe cleaners together around the center.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Lay a third pipe cleaner on top, going diagonally. Twist it around the center.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Slide beads onto each pipe cleaner in whatever pattern you like!

   
   

5. Bend the ends of the pipe cleaners over the beads to keep the beads from sliding off. Voila!

   
   

   

Special thanks to Jennifer from Early Learning Ideas for this fun activity!