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. They will be fascinated as the hard candies melt when heated and harden again when 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 oven—with adult supervision, of course.

What You Need:

• Assorted hard candies, preferably Jolly Ranchers
• Cookie cutters in holiday shapes
• Baking sheet
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Chopstick
• Aluminum foil
• Ribbon (for hanging the ornaments)

What You Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Help your child generously spray the cookie cutters with nonstick spray.
3. Help your child wrap the cookie cutters tightly with aluminum foil, leaving the top side uncovered. Place the wrapped cookie cutters on the baking sheet, uncovered side up.
4. Have your child place candies into the cookie cutters in a single layer.
5. Put the cookie cutters in the oven and let them cook for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the candy is fully melted. Let the candy shapes cool for 4 minutes so they harden slightly.
6. Once the candy has cooled slightly, create a hole in each candy shape by inserting the tapered end of the chopstick into each one where you want the ribbon to go.
7. Let the candy shapes cool completely. Once cool and hard, carefully remove the candy shapes from the cookie cutter and foil.
8. Have your child thread a ribbon through the hole in the ornaments.

Now your "glass" ornaments are ready for hanging! Place them on the Christmas tree, hang them in a window, or suspend them from the ceiling for a breathtaking holiday display.