Moose Candy Cane Craft

Candy canes can be transformed into moose holiday ornaments and decorations.

Like reindeer, moose are part of the deer animal family called Cervidae. With their large muzzle, long legs and wide, flat antlers moose are a distinct image that can be incorporated into Christmas candy cane crafts. Project ideas range from partial to fully edible decorations that can made by the whole family.

Hanging Ornaments

Full-sized candy canes add a simple decorative touch to Christmas trees which can be transformed into hanging moose ornaments with the addition of a few basic craft materials. A plain candy cane is used for the body of the ornament. Pipe cleaners are twisted around the curved top for the moose’s antlers. Another option to create the antlers is to glue a piece of felt cut in the shape of antlers to the candy cane. For eyes, candy decorating pieces or plastic craft eyes are glued to the shorter side of the cane. Pom-poms glued to the tip of the cane may be used to create a nose.

Clip-On Ornaments

Wood clothespins can serve as the body of a clip-on moose Christmas tree ornament. Regular-sized candy canes may be glued on one of the flat sides of the clothespin and decorated with pipe cleaners, pom-poms and plastic eyes. Another option is the use of mini candy canes to create antlers for a moose head that is made by gluing two 1 ½-inch brown pom-poms together. The moose head is glued to the flat side of the clothespin and decorated with a 1/2-inch pom-pom for a nose and plastic eyes. Mini candy canes are glued to the top of the moose’s head before it is attached to the clothespin with glue.

Edible Treats

Candy canes do not have to be the only edible material in moose candy cane crafts. Fully edible moose figures are created using mini candy canes, wafer cookies, caramels, orange circus peanut candies and icing. For the body of the moose, two wafer cookies are placed together using the icing. Four toothpicks are pushed into the bottom of the wafers for legs and half of a circus peanut inserted at the end for the hooves. Two square caramel pieces are connected using a toothpick and attached to the top of the wafer body with icing. Unwrapped mini candy canes are pushed into one end of the caramel head for the moose’s antlers. Additional decoration may include a small hard-shelled chocolate candy for the nose and a piece of mini-candy cane for the tail.

Greeting Cards

Regular- or mini-sized candy canes add dimension to handmade moose holiday cards. Construction or cardstock paper may be used to make the card base, with construction paper or felt shapes glued to the surface to make a moose’s head. Candy canes are glued to the top of the moose’s head for the antlers, with mini candy canes used for smaller cards. A pom-pom for the nose and plastic craft eyes can be glued to the moose head to create facial features.

References

• The Big Zoo: Moose (Alces alces)