Elf Ideas with Candy Canes

A box of candy canes is the most useful elf prop you can buy: they hook over string (zipline), stand in for skis and hockey sticks, make sleigh runners and turn into reindeer with one pipe cleaner. One box covers a week of nights.

These candy cane elf ideas are listed with setup steps and the extra bits you need. Hard candy is a choking hazard for kids under 4, so supervise little ones or skip eating the props.

12 ideas · updated October 9, 2026 · written by the ElfNights team

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Quick tips

  • Buy mini candy canes for elf-size props and regular ones for skis and sleigh runners.
  • Keep a few unwrapped ones aside: they work as 'hooks' for hanging the elf.
  • Reuse props across nights: zipline Monday, hockey Tuesday, sleigh Wednesday.
  • Under 4? Use the candy cane as a prop only and keep it out of reach.
Jump to an idea (12)
  1. Candy Cane Zipline
  2. Candy Cane Fishing
  3. Candy Cane Hockey
  4. Candy Cane Skis
  5. Candy Cane Treasure Hunt
  6. Candy Cane Reindeer
  7. Candy Cane Heart Message
  8. Candy Cane Sleigh
  9. Candy Cane Fence
  10. Candy Cane Limbo
  11. Candy Cane Count & Find
  12. Candy Cane Walking Stick Hike

1Candy Cane Zipline

Time 5 minMess no messAges 2-4, 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Craft & party bits

  1. Tie a string or ribbon tight between two chairs, doorknobs or the stair railing, sloping down.
  2. Hook a candy cane over the string and hang the elf's hands from the crook.
  3. Put a few candy canes or a pillow at the landing end.
Elf note: “Wheee! I did 47 laps before sunrise.”
FunnyGet moving

2Candy Cane Fishing

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Candy & chocolate

  1. Fill a bowl with gummy fish or wrapped candies.
  2. Hook a candy cane over the edge like a fishing rod (tie a short string to it if you like).
  3. Sit the elf on the rim with a catch already hooked.
Elf note: “Ice fishing, North Pole style. The fish taste sugary here.”
FunnyTreat

3Candy Cane Hockey

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Craft & party bits

  1. Use two candy canes as hockey sticks and a cotton ball or bottle cap as a puck.
  2. Set up two goals from cups, boxes or LEGO.
  3. Pose the elf (and a toy opponent) mid-game.
Elf note: “Elf 3, Teddy 0. Teddy wants a rematch tonight.”
FunnyGet movingTwo elves

4Candy Cane Skis

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Books

  1. Make a ramp by leaning a large book or cutting board against a stack of books.
  2. Tape two straight candy canes to the elf's feet with the hooks curling up at the front.
  3. Pose it at the top of the ramp ready to race down.
Elf note: “Candy cane skis are the fastest. Also the most delicious.”
Funny

5Candy Cane Treasure Hunt

Time 10 minMess no messAges 2-4, 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Paper, tape & markers

  1. Hide 5 to 10 mini candy canes around one room (or count out one per child per clue).
  2. Leave the elf holding a hand-drawn treasure map or a list of hot-cold clues.
  3. Put one candy cane in the elf's arms as a 'starter'.
Elf note: “I hid candy canes all over the living room. Can you find all of them before breakfast?”
Get movingTreat

6Candy Cane Reindeer

Time 10 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Craft & party bits

  1. Wrap a brown pipe cleaner around the top of a candy cane and twist it into antlers.
  2. Stick on googly eyes and a small red pom-pom nose with glue dots.
  3. Make one per child and line them up with the elf as the 'driver'.
Elf note: “I made you each a reindeer. Rudolph says they look just like him.”
Sweet & cozyTreat

7Candy Cane Heart Message

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Paper, tape & markers

  1. Put two candy canes together upside-down so the hooks form a heart.
  2. Lay the heart on a plate or a sheet of paper with your child's name written in the middle.
  3. Sit the elf beside it.
Elf note: “Two candy canes make a heart. That's how much I like being at your house.”
Sweet & cozy

8Candy Cane Sleigh

Time 10 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Craft & party bits

  1. Lay two candy canes side by side as sled runners and glue or tape a small box or chocolate bar on top.
  2. Tie a ribbon to the front as reins.
  3. Sit the elf in the sleigh.
Elf note: “My new sleigh is faster AND sweeter than Santa's.”
Funny

9Candy Cane Fence

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Toys, LEGO or dolls

  1. Stand candy canes upright in a line using LEGO bricks or playdough as bases to make a fence.
  2. Put toy animals 'inside' the fence like a farm.
  3. Sit the elf as the farmer.
Elf note: “Welcome to my North Pole farm! The animals love the candy cane fence.”
Funny

10Candy Cane Limbo

Time 5 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Toys, LEGO or dolls

  1. Balance a candy cane across two cups or blocks as a limbo bar.
  2. Pose the elf leaning way back underneath it.
  3. Line up toys waiting for their turn.
Elf note: “How low can you go? I made it to two blocks!”
FunnyGet movingTwo elves

11Candy Cane Count & Find

Time 10 minMess no messAges 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes, Paper, tape & markers

  1. Hide a number of mini candy canes in one room.
  2. Leave the elf with a note: 'I hid exactly 12. How many can you find?'
  3. Count them together and share them.
Elf note: “I hid exactly 12 candy canes. Can you find all 12?”
LearningGet moving

12Candy Cane Walking Stick Hike

Time 2 minMess no messAges 2-4, 5-8, 9+

Props: Candy canes

  1. Give the elf a candy cane as a walking stick.
  2. Pose it 'hiking' up a pile of pillows or a stack of books.
  3. Add a tiny paper flag at the top.
Elf note: “Halfway to the summit! The candy cane walking stick is a lifesaver.”
FunnyGet moving

FAQ

What can the elf do with candy canes?

Ride a candy cane zipline, go ice fishing, play hockey, ski down a book ramp, drive a candy cane sleigh, limbo or lead a candy cane treasure hunt.

Are candy cane ideas safe for toddlers?

Hard candy is a choking hazard for under-4s. Use candy canes as props only (out of reach) or choose ideas from the toddler page.

How many candy canes do I need?

One 12-pack of regular canes plus a bag of mini canes covers every idea on this page.

Keep planning

Elf Ideas with Marshmallows→Elf Ideas with Toilet Paper→Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas→Elf Props List→