Five Little Candy Canes Activity for Circle Time {Free Printable}

Inside: Work on counting skills with this Five Little Candy Canes activity. Fun for toddler and preschool circle time!

If you’ve been following Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds for awhile, you know how I love to use circle time to build skills.

Last week I shared my Christmas bells counting printable, where I displayed them on my flannel board while singing bell counting songs.

Whenever I can use visuals during circle time, I do.

Visuals grab young children’s attention, encouraging them to participate.

I talk about this in my most popular video, The Secrets to a Successful Circle Time.

When I found the song Five Candy Canes, I knew I had to not only share it with my toddlers and preschoolers, but make visuals to go along with the song.

This candy cane printable is a fun (and easy!) way to work on counting during the Christmas theme.

Music is a very important part of our toddler and preschool circle times.

Perhaps this is because I personally love music. While I didn’t inherit my sister Lauri’s vocal talent (oh, how I wish!), I love to sing with my students.

Before I became a teacher, I was very self-conscious of my voice.

Once I was in the classroom, I put that fear aside.

I even sing in front of parents, on stage! My younger self would have gasped at that.

So if you feel your voice doesn’t qualify for singing in the classroom, stop.

Just sing!

When I am planning for the week, I love to search for songs that we can use during circle time.

I keep them organized in a Spotify playlist, so I can pull out my phone and find what I need quickly.

Oh, wondering what my December playlist is?

Here you go:

While searching Spotify, I found the song Five Candy Canes by The Kiboomers.

I knew this would be fun for one of our December circle times.

And I knew that I had to create a visual, so… I did!

Preparation

If using with a flannel board, copy on to heavy (card stock) paper or laminate.

First, cut out the tree and place velcro on the back.

Then, place five velcro squares on the tree where the candy canes will go.

Cut out each candy cane and attach velcro to the back so that they will stick to the velcro on the tree.

Here’s an example from my 5 Little Pumpkins Jumping on the Bed prop:

The Circle Time Activity

Have your flannel board at your circle time area.

Stick the tree to the flannel board.

Invite the children to help you count each candy cane as you place it on the flannel board.

Watch: Our Favorite Circle Time Activities