Being a crafty family, we are always looking for Christmas crafts for kids. Ever since I was in middle school I have been making these cute candy trains. It started out as an idea of how to give my friends a unique gift that didn’t cost a whole lot of money. Now almost 25 years later, my kids and I love making these great goodies for their friends. They are really simple to make and even small kids can make them with the help of an adult. They are really easy to whip up, just grab some Extra Gum, other candy goodies, some low temp hot glue and you are on your way! Plus, they make great stocking stuffers!
At first, I thought making these gifts for friends was kind of “dorky.” You know how judgemental kids can be in middle and high school, but there was one year that I didn’t make them and my friends were actually disappointed. It kinda made me feel really good that they enjoyed them that much. That’s why, now that I am a mom, I’ve decided to continue the tradition with my kids. It’s a fun thing for them to give to friends or to make their own special versions and put in their siblings stocking each year. You can even get creative and make train cars behind the main engine and have a whole candy train going up and down the line!
Ready to get started? Here’s what you need.
- Packs of Extra Gum (removed from gum holder)
- Christmas themed scrap book paper
- Starlight Peppermints
- Chocolate Kisses
- Rolled Breath Mints
- Hershey’s Nuggest or Caramel Squares
- Low temperature hot glue gun
Gather all of your supplies, and let’s get ready to craft! First thing you are going to do is remove the Extra Gum from the gum holder. (Make sure to leave the individual wrappers on) Measure out a piece of scrap book paper 2X3 inches. You are going to use this to wrap the gum and form the body of your engine.
Line the gum up to make a rectangle, place it on the scrapbook paper and wrap it like a present securing it with the hot glue. Flip it over so the seam is on the bottom.
Align the roll of mints to the front of your train. This should leave a gap at the back. Hot glue the roll of breath mints on top of the gum package. Allow to dry.
While you are waiting for that to dry, grab your peppermints. You want to hot glue the “tails” to the back of the peppermint so they are just the round discs. Gently glue on peppermints to the sides of the gum package for wheels. I love adding another peppermint on the front of the roll of mints for a cute added touch.
Lastly, add the chocolate square to the gap at the back of the roll of mints.(or caramel square) and the Hershey’s kiss on top to complete your train!
When you are done make sure to remove any of the extra strings from the glue. Plus when you are gluing, make sure the glue isn’t too hot or it will melt the candy and/or it’s wrappers.
We love adding “steam” to our train. We just feathered out a cotton ball and hot glued it to the top of the engine’s “stack”. We wanted our train to be an “Extra Express” so we cut out the works Extra from our Extra Gum packs and hot glued them to the sides as well! Once you are done with the engine, have fun making the other “cars”. On ours we just used peppermint sticks to look like “logs”. It was a fun way to make a complete train (though I wouldn’t eat any candy you hot glued directly). Use your imagination, and have fun! Happy Holidays!
Monique says
These are really cute!
Amber Edwards says
Oh that is super cute and really easy! My boys would have a blast with those! They would also make great additions to holiday plates we take around to neighbors.
Crunchy Frugalista says
That’s so sweet that you take plates to your neighbors. It would be a great way to spread the holiday cheer.
Rhonda YVSG says
How adorable. This answers a question about what to do with all the leftover Halloween candy! Create some great crafty trains like these :). Thanks for sharing…
Crunchy Frugalista says
I hadn’t even thought about that, to be honest. See you are giving me some great ideas too 🙂
Motherhood on the Rocks says
awww super cute! I wanna do this for stocking stuffers!
Crunchy Frugalista says
They are really fun to make, and super easy. I made 15 in less than 30 minutes!
Amanda Seibert says
Cute! We used to do this with my mom as a kid for all of our teachers every year. We used lifesavers.
Crunchy Frugalista says
I started making them as a kid too!
karen medlin says
Very cute, I am thinking of adding this to our holiday traditions to share with the school parties and scouts. Thank you for the instructions.
Ashley Sears says
Karen, You are very welcome. It’s really easy, and you can add SO many different options. When I was a Girl Scout leader, we made them in our troop as well! Happy Holidays!
Sara Pirate (@CleverPirate) says
I LOVE this tradition, we always make gingerbread houses but these seem a little less messy, lol. I think we may start a new tradition! I like that your friends were actually sad when you didn’t make them, it shows that everyone loves a little homemade something. Thanks for sharing! #client
Jenn @comebackmomma says
What a cute idea! So creative! Congrats on being featured on SoFab newsletter.
Sarah Roe says
Such a cute idea! My boys would love this! Thanks for sharing! #client
Julie Wood says
This is such a cute Holiday Craft Idea! I like that it is so easy to make, and a fun craft to do with my niece and nephew. I saw it too late for last Christmas, but I will make it next year.
Jean says
I love this project! Pinned for next year.
Ashley Sears says
You can make them anytime of the year, but definitely have fun making them whenever you do
saminder gumer says
the kids would love this. i am going to have to try it out next year or maybe for easter.
Michelle F. says
so cute! will try that this year.