Few things say “Christmas” quite like a bowl of colorful wrapped candies on the coffee table. This year, your little ones can make their own giant version, and it won’t cost a single cavity!
This sweet paper plate craft turns simple supplies into a cheerful piece of holiday candy. Strips of crepe paper become the stripes, and your child’s own handprints become the twisted wrapper ends. The result is a festive keepsake that looks great on the fridge, a classroom bulletin board, or the front door.
The best part is how easy it is. Most of these supplies are probably already in your craft bin, and kids as young as preschool age can do almost every step themselves. Let’s get crafting!
Craft Supplies:
- Paper plates (one per child)
- Crepe paper streamers in your choice of colors
- Elmer’s washable school glue
- Cardstock or construction paper for the handprint cutouts
- Ribbon (any style or color)
- Scissors
- Stapler (for grown-up use)
- Pencil or marker for tracing
Directions:
Step 1: Trace and Cut the Handprints
Have your child place one hand flat on a sheet of cardstock with their fingers spread slightly apart. Trace around the hand with a pencil or marker. Repeat so you have two handprints.
Cut out both handprints. Older kids can handle the scissors on their own, while younger ones may need a grown-up to cut around the tricky finger spaces. These handprints will become the crinkly, twisted ends of the candy wrapper, so they don’t need to be perfect. A little wobble adds charm!
Step 2: Attach the Handprints to the Plate
Lay the paper plate face up on your table. Place one handprint at the top-left edge of the plate, with the fingers pointing up and out. Place the second handprint on the opposite side, at the bottom-right edge, with the fingers pointing down and out.
The wrist end of each handprint should overlap the rim of the plate by about an inch. Secure each one with a few staples or a generous dab of glue. Staples hold faster, so this is a great job for a grown-up while kids watch their candy start to take shape.
Step 3: Add Lines of Glue Across the Plate
Now comes the part kids love most. Hand over the glue bottle and let them squeeze three or four lines of glue across the center of the plate.
The lines can be straight or wavy. Just make sure they stretch from one edge of the plate to the other, with some space between each line. This spacing is what creates the classic striped look of a peppermint candy.
Step 4: Press On the Crepe Paper Strips
Tear or cut strips of crepe paper long enough to reach across the plate. Choose any color or combination of colors you like — this is a great chance for kids to get creative and make the candy their own.
Lay each strip over a line of glue and press it down gently with your fingers. Smooth it from the center out toward the edges. If a strip hangs past the rim, simply trim it with scissors or tuck it behind the plate.
Crepe paper is thin and soaks up glue quickly, so a light touch works best. You may see a darker line where the glue shows through. That’s totally normal and will fade a bit as it dries.
Step 5: Tie the Ribbon Bows and Attach Them
Cut two pieces of ribbon, each about 12 inches long. Tie each piece into a simple bow. Any style or color of ribbon works beautifully here — let your child pick their favorite!
Place one bow at the base of each handprint, right where it meets the edge of the plate. This makes it look like the candy wrapper is tied off at both ends. Secure each bow with a staple through the center knot.
Set the finished candy flat and let it dry for about an hour before hanging it up.
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This paper plate craft is proof that the simplest projects often bring the biggest smiles. With a few basic supplies and about 20 minutes, your kids can create a festive decoration they’ll be proud to show off all season long.
Make one for every family member, string a few together for a candy garland, or tape them to the front door to welcome holiday guests. However you display them, each one carries a little piece of your child’s handprint and a lot of festive cheer.
So grab those paper plates, clear off the kitchen table, and let the crafting begin. We’d love to see your sweet creations, so snap a photo and share your kids’ candy masterpieces with us. Happy crafting!
