Did you grow up eating candy buttons?
I used to love them and recently bought some giant ones for my son’s Lego birthday party.
I cut the candy buttons into a variety of shapes and passed them out in goodie bags. I tend to overbuy for parties… so I still have a lot lying around.
This week we decided to cut the candy buttons into little strips and use them to build and create. We pretended they were Lego candy.
We started off by trying to create different shapes using the little strips. We made squares, triangles, rectangles, and a variety of other shapes- some were even made up.
We also tried to build alphabet letters and numbers and then we practiced tracing them with our fingers. The bumpy texture of the candy buttons made the activity even more fun and added a sensory experience to our playtime.
In addition to practicing shapes, letters, and numbers, we also used our imaginations to create volcanoes, houses, spring scenes, animals, and monsters.
Building and creating with unique tools is a great way to mix things up and make learning a little more exciting.
Some other unique building/creating activities that we love are listed below:
- Sponge Towers via Toddler Approved
- Pool Noodle Sculptures via Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning
- Building with Toothpicks and Marshmallows via MamaScout
What are some other unique materials that you like to create with?
Are you a candy button fan? What else would you create with them? I still have a lot at our house!
Looking for more fun ideas that involve learning with candy? Then check out these great ideas from other Quirky Momma posts:
About Kristina
What fun! JDaniel would love this.
Love this idea. Grandma just handed me a package of these yesterday and the girls were all begging to eat them. Sounds like a good reward for building with them first.
Love that idea!
Fun idea! We love candy buttons! We build a lot with toothpicks and gumdrops and toothpicks and marshmallows.
This is a great idea. We still have a ton of leftover Easter candy, might as well do something creative with it!
What a fun tool for building!
Super creative and cute. I will be using this with my twin nieces while they are in town. Thanks.
Cute idea!
Kristina where did you find the large DOTS? We’ve never seen this size. Thank you!
I found them at Party City in the candy section!
So cool but I want to make them. How do I do that? =o)
I love this tutorial Erin! http://sandytoesandpopsicles.blogspot.com/2011/03/homemade-candy-buttons.html
What a great idea! Fun, colourful and at the end of the day yummy!
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy & Alissa
Love this! We just posted our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party and would love for you to share this!
http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/04/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_19.html
We love all things Lego! This is a cute idea.
What a great idea, too cute!
Shannon@SewSweetCottage
What a simple but neat idea. Thanks for sharing!