Catholic Icing: Religious Candy Cane Craft

Catholic ABC's Week: 15
Letter of the week: J
Theme: Jesus
Saint of the Week: St. Joseph
Craft: J is for Jesus Candy Cane Craft

This week at my preschool co-op, we're learning about the letter "j". It was pretty easy to pick what "j" is for... Jesus! Last year I saw this craft over on Muffin Tin Mom and I've just been waiting for a chance to make it! Isn't it the cutest? I wish I had some pictures of my preschool kids making this one, but we didn't get to go yesterday due to many factors, including the fact that one of our cars is currently broken down :-P

Materials Needed to Complete This Craft:

White paper
Red Paint
Shredded Paper
Glue
Felt (or colored paper)
Manila File Folder

For little kids, you'll need to do the cutting ahead of time. Cut out the candy cane shape from white paper or card stock, and ovals from felt for Baby Jesus' blanket. Cut circles from manila file folders for Baby Jesus' head and draw on a little face.

Start by having the kids paint red stripes onto their white candy canes (try to make sure the paper is turned like a "J"). It's more important that they do it themselves than it is for the stripes to be perfect. (I made the one above. A toddler's candy cane will not look like that- when I have a picture of the one my 4 year old made I will post it). Have them put glue at the bottom of the candy cane and attach the shredded paper. Glue Baby Jesus together and add him to the "hay".

That's it!

Grab Bag Ideas for the Letter Jj: (be sure to check out the Classroom Script for directions on using the grab bag.) Jingle Bell, Jacks, Jello, Jack O Lantern, Jar, Joker, Juicebox, Jerky, Jet, Jump Rope, Jaguar, Jelly, Jellyfish, Jellybean, Jug, Juicer.

For More Resources, check out the Catholic Toolbox lesson plans for the Letter Jj. (Her Jj lesson is also on Jesus!)

Catholic ABC's runs here at Catholic Icing every Wednesday with the new letter of the week. You can get the details of this program by checking out the Classroom Script.