An Activity for Preschoolers:
These beaded candy canes are a treat to make!

Before You Begin:
To make these festive candy canes, all you'll need are pipe cleaners along with white,
green and red pony beads.

Activity Goals:
To build fine motor and counting skills with a festive beading activity
To practice sorting and sequencing.

Furthermore:
To practice more complex sequencing, have children use 16 white beads, 8 of a second
color and 8 of a third color. Challenge children to alternate between bead colors and
continue using the same pattern throughout their candy cane.

Steps:

1. Have each child count out 32 beads: 16 in white and 16 in another color such as green or
   red. This is a great opportunity for the children to practice counting and sorting.
2. Form a ball at one end of the pipe cleaners to keep the beads from falling off as they are
   added.
3. Begin stringing the pony beads onto the pipe cleaners in the desired sequence.
4. When finished, form another ball at the other end and bend the pipe cleaner into the
   shape of a cane.
5. Tie a piece of yarn to the top for an easy-to-hang ornament.