Trim the Tree with "Glass" Candy Ornaments

Using cookie cutters and a little help from an adult, youngsters can turn hard candies into faux glass ornaments for the holidays. Watch the candies melt before your very eyes in the over, and then harden as they cool! This activity will allow your child to demonstrate her ability to follow instructions, use her fine motor skills, and show off her creativity. It can also be a fun introduction to using the kitchen.

What You Need:

• Assorted hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers
• Sprinkles or other decorations
• Cookie cutters or silicon candy molds
• Baking sheet
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Chopstick
• Aluminum foil
• Ribbon

What You Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Help your child spray the cookie cutters with nonstick spray.
3. If using cookie cutters, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lay the cookie cutters on top, then have your child place a few candies into the cookie cutters in a single layer. A silicon candy mold works well too, and all you have to do is place the candies inside each mold.
4. Put the cookie cutters in the oven and bakefor approximately 8-10 minutes or until the candy is fully melted. Carfeully remove from the oven.
5. Your child can drop a few sprinkles on top as decoration, then let them cool for a few minutes so they are slightly hardened.
6. When the candy is still a little soft, insert the tapered end of s chopstick into each candy to create a hole for the ribbon.
7. Let the candy shapes cool completely, then carefully remove them from the cookie cutters or molds.
8. Now thread a ribbon through the hole to create an ornament.

Place these tasty and beautiful ornament on a tree, hang them in a window, or suspend them from the ceiling for a breathtaking holiday display.