candy canes

Candy Cane Wreath Experiment

December 20, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It’s tradition for me to do a candy cane science experiment every December, and each year I arrange the candy canes in a new way or change up the sizes and colors of the sweet treat. In this post, I debut my latest design, a candy cane wreath experiment.

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Supplies to Collect

Gathering supplies for this simple science experiment couldn’t be any easier. Just select an edged waterproof tray, and purchase a package of candy canes. You may have some on hand already. Then fill a pitcher or large glass with water and you are good to go.

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The Candy Cane Wreath Experiment

To perform this inexpensive color science experiment, arrange candy canes around the edge of a waterproof tray in a wreath-like shape.

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If you look closely, you’ll notice one or two broken candy canes in the tray and a few oddly shaped ones. This science experiment is the perfect use for them, as I wouldn’t have wanted to hand those out as treats.

Next, slowly pour water into the tray until the candy canes are just covered in liquid.

Then watch what happens. You’ll see the candy cane colors slowly spread through the water.

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Note: The color changes happen quickly. Stay by the science experiment and have your camera ready to snap a few pictures.

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After a little while, you can carry on with other activities and periodically check in on the experiment to see even more color changes and view the candy canes melting away.

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The Science Behind This Candy Cane Color Experiment

Candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water away from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar. When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

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More Candy Cane Activities

Candy Cane Playdough Tray

Mini Candy Cane Tree Experiment

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

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[Read more…]

Candy Cane Playdough Tray

December 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you need a quick activity to do with the children in your life, this candy cane playdough tray has got you covered. A lovely peppermint smell wafting through the air is a highlight of this playdough invitation.

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Making The Candy Cane Playdough

A simple no-cook homemade playdough recipe is the base for this activity. I love the recipe featured on The Artful Parent website and use it regularly. It is easy and quick to make and keeps about as well as the cooked version.

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Next, knead in crushed candy cane bits. The playdough is ready to use. So easy!

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Or, give participants the creamy white playdough and sprinkle candy cane bits on the table. Invite everyone to blend crushed candy cane bits into their playdough. They will love seeing the playdough change colors as the candy cane pieces are kneaded in.

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Note: Some of the crushed candy cane bits appear a little sharp. They didn’t poke or irritate my skin while testing out the festive dough. When I offered this playdough invitation to staff and students, they thoroughly enjoyed it.

The more candy cane pieces that are added, the more colorful the playdough will become. And it may be a little mushy when used again on another day. If you would like the playdough to have a second or third use, be a little sparing in adding crushed candy cane bits to the white dough.

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Crushing Candy Canes for the Playdough

You can crush candy canes for this play invitation if you do not have ready-to-use crushed ones on hand.

Just stick candy canes in the freezer for about twenty minutes. Then place them in a sealed Ziplock bag and smash them on a cutting board with a mallet, rolling pin, or meat pounder. Another method is to break candy canes into small pieces after taking them out of the freezer and then grind them to the desired coarseness in a coffee grinder. Children would love to get in on the candy cane crushing.

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The Candy Cane Playdough Tray

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Offer a rolling pin, disposable knife, and a few Christmas cookie cutters to participants exploring candy cane playdough. Here are some accessories to consider adding:

non-breakable candy cane and gingerbread decorations
candy cane cookie cutters
green, red, and white buttons and pony beads
peppermint candy and gingerbread man erasers

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More Christmas Playdough Activities

Christmas Playdough

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation

Gingerbread Playdough

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[Read more…]

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

December 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This Christmas peppermint sensory bin was inspired by a gorgeous miniature red, pink, and white-striped peppermint tree. The eye-catching tree was one of these “gotta have it” Christmas decorations for me, as it is festive and unique. A quick search in stores around my neighborhood led to finding complementary accessories for the tree. Loose parts round out the supplies in the inviting sensory bin your little learners will absolutely LOVE.

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Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin Supplies

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The following supplies were gathered for this sweet candy-themed bin:

peppermint candy Christmas tree
candy cane ornaments
candy ornaments
peppermint candy erasers
toy peppermint candies
peppermint candy-themed metal buckets
red, pink, and white buttons
pink, red, and white pom poms
wooden peg people
red spoons
red, pink, and white acrylic paints
small paintbrushes
spoons

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The Christmas Peppermint Candy Sensory Bin

The unexpected bin of choice for this peppermint candy sensory bin is a red saucer sled. It is an economical purchase and accommodates three or four children nicely at a time.

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The base is white glutinous rice, often my go-to for sensory bins. It is low on the mess, and the white color lets the festive supplies in the bin shine.

Wooden peg dolls painted with red, pink, or white acrylic paint match the color theme.

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Peppermint candy-themed metal buckets hold candy cane ornaments and the other sensory supplies nicely.

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Spoons are always a requested item for my sensory bins, and red ones fit the bill.

Red, pink, and white pom poms and buttons round out the sensory supplies.

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The Christmas peppermint theme for the bin is a way for little learners to play with Christmas peppermint candy without the sugar fix.

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Benefits Of The Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

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Aside from adding joy to the holiday season, this Christmas peppermint candy sensory bin allows children to:

count candy canes, candies, and other supplies
notice red and white, and pink, red, and white striped patterns
discuss the words hard (candies and buttons) and soft (pom poms)
label pink, red, and white colors
develop eye-hand coordination while using the sensory supplies
share whether they like the taste of candy canes and other Christmas candy

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More Christmas Sensory Bins

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

Ugly Christmas Sweater Rice Bin

Christmas Sensory Play

Llama Christmas Sensory Bin

Santa Claus Sensory Bin

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[Read more…]

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

December 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This candy cane tree experiment is easy to set up and is sure to be a conversation piece. It works well as a Christmas science activity, and also fits a forest theme.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

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For this simple science experiment, gather the following four supplies:

package of mini candy canes
one round striped candy
large flat white or cream-colored plate
flask of warm water

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The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

Design a tree on a plate with mini candy canes. Pour water into the plate and watch what happens. Your audience will be wowed!

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To perform this showy science experiment, start by arranging mini candy canes on a plate in a Christmas/coniferous tree design. The colorful and fruity candy canes above were a great find at a Dollar Store.

Next, set a round candy on top of the tree to be the tree topper.

Then fill a flask with warm water.

Carefully set the plate with the tree design on a table.

Now the experiment is ready to be performed. Invite participants to gather around the candy tree. Slowly pour water from the flask into the plate and invite everyone to watch what happens. It’s that simple!

Participants will be wowed at how the colors in the candy canes quickly spread through the water, making beautiful designs.

Watch the colors explode from the candy cane tree in this super simple science experiment everyone will love.

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Color changes will be instant. Over time the colors and their intensity will change.

Watch the colors move and change in this super simple science experiment everyone will love. The activity is a must-try.

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Note: This tree-shaped experiment can be done with standard-sized candy canes in a large ridged serving tray.

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The Science Behind The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

The candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar (the center and rim of the tray.) When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

Water temperature is a variant in this experiment. Sugar dissolves more quickly in warm water, and food coloring moves at a faster pace.

Candy Cane Color Experiment Variations

Watch the stunning color changes in this super simple mini candy cane science experiment. Try it today!

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You can forgo making a tree shape with the candy canes, and spread a few around a plate instead. The color movement is just as interesting in this more basic version.

Watch beautiful colors emerge in this super simple science experiment with a serious WOW factor. Just thee supplies are needed to perform the experiment.

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And if you have been following my blog for a while, you may have discovered that I have done a few other candy/candy cane color experiments. Here are more variations:

Candy Cane Science Experiment

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

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This mini candy cane color experiment is a must-try. Just three supplies are needed for the simple science activity everyone will love.

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[Read more…]

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

January 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

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This blue candy cane science experiment is an offshoot of an earlier candy cane science post. I purposely saved blue striped candy canes to use in a few winter-themed variations of the easy-to-perform experiment. And yes…I am permanently hooked on candy cane science!

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Supplies To Collect

This blue candy cane snowflake experiment will wow little learners. It is easy to set up and shows immediate results.

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First up is a blue candy cane snowflake version of the experiment. To perform it gather the following three supplies:

six blue and white striped candy canes
large clear, white, or cream-colored plate with a rim
measuring cup (or cup) of warm water

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The Candy Cane Snowflake Experiment

Set the candy canes on a large plate in a six-sided snowflake design.

Let the science experiment begin with this blue candy cane snowflake!

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Slowly pour in warm water to partially cover the candy canes.

Invite participants to watch what happens.

An easy-to-do candy cane snowflake science experiment. All you need is water, candy canes, and a plate.

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While little learners watch the colors in the water spread during the experiment, slip in a few snowflake facts from the list below.

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Ten Fast Facts About Snowflakes

Snowflakes are made of many snow crystals that are stuck together.
The six-sided flakes come in symmetrical, hexagonal shapes.
About 200 ice crystals make up one snowflake.
There are six basic types of snowflakes.
Combinations of these types make 35 recognizable snowflake designs.
A snowflake’s shape is determined by the temperature and amount of moisture in the air when it was formed.
Snowflakes range in size, from teeny tiny to penny-sized.
Because they reflect light, snowflakes appear white. But they are actually translucent.
Every second, billions of snowflakes float down to earth.
Snowflakes fall at 3- 4 miles per hour or about 5 – 6.5 km per hour.

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Try this easy-to-do candy cane snowflake experiment today. It uses simple supplies and has immediate results. Snowflake facts are included.

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Early learners may wish to have a little taste of the resulting blue liquid. Unlike the strong mint taste of the Christmas candies, the blue water has a pleasant berry flavor.

Tip: If you have other candy cane colors available rather than blue striped ones, use them in the experiment instead. Snowflakes look beautiful in all colors!

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Blue Candy Cane Heart Experiment

For a simpler but equally striking version, form two candy canes into a heart shape on the plate. When water is slowly added, little learners will notice a different color pattern developing.

This blue candy cane heart science experiment fits into winter and transitions nicely into Valentine's Day.

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A pretty blue candy cane science experiment that will wow little learners.

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The Science Behind The Color Movement

The candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water away from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar. When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

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Blue Candy Cane Sensory Tube

If you have broken candy canes saved that weren’t suitable to display or hand out over the holidays, use them in a sensory tube.

Candy cane winter sensory tube with ice cubes and snowflakes.

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To make the winter-themed tube above, freeze ice cubes and add them to a clear tube with a wide mouth.

Next, sprinkle in blue and white foam and gem snowflakes.

Gently drop in blue-striped candy cane pieces.

Then fill the sensory tube with cool water and tightly screw on the lid.

Invite little learners to play with the tube.

An icy blue candy cane winter sensory tube doubling as a float and sink experiment.

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Because the water in the tube is cool, it changes color at a slower pace than in the snowflake and heart versions of the experiment.

Float and sink experimentation happens naturally with this candy cane tube. The snowflake gems and candy cane pieces sink to the bottom and hang out there, while the foam shapes congregate at the top.

This eye-appealing blue candy cane sensory tube doubles as a float and sink experiment.

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