Set Up a Kids' Candy Crafting Table for Christmas

From creative crafting ideas to candy-colored decor, designer Casey Noble shares fun and festive ways to turn a living room coffee table into a kid-sized holiday hangout.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links.

November 25, 2014

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Interactive Crafting + Snack Station

The center of this great room is designated as a holiday gathering spot for kids, complete with snacks and interactive crafting ideas. With kids occupied, parents can enjoy a more formal dining experience in the next room.

Coordinating Cushions

Turn a coffee table into a holiday snacking and crafting spot by grouping floor cushions in seasonal hues around the perimeter. Similar to high chairs at standard dining tables, a small stack of fluffy cushions or pillows can help boost toddlers up to the perfect height.

A Spot for Everyone

Give kids a designated surface to draw on with a roll of kraft paper spread across the surface of the table. In addition to being able to express themselves creatively, this also gives parents a chance to suggest seating by writing each child's name onto the paper with markers, chalk or crayons.

Vintage Milk Bottles

Although parents are prone to using plastic when it comes to kid-safe drinkware, hardy, vintage-style milk bottles are an excellent and chic alternative. Add a classic striped straw to the bottle, and then serve pint-sized guests a healthy drink to go with their sweet treats.

Classic Snack Style

Similar to vintage milk bottles, Mason jars are a sophisticated alternative to plastic vessels or drinkware. To bring classic farmhouse style to a kids' table, consider using Mason jars for snacks such as crackers or pretzels.

Candy-Colored Treats

While kids entertain themselves at the holiday soiree, it's important to always consider safety first, especially when it comes to candy. Before laying candy out, be certain to ask parents if their children have any allergies or dietary restrictions, then stick solely with small, soft styles rather than hard candy, which could pose a choking hazard.

Playing With Food

One of the keys to making candy and snacks interactive as crafting supplies is to choose ring-shaped options with holes directly in the center. This will allow kids the option to use their food to make crafts by sliding twine, ribbon or string directly through the center to create garland, bracelets or necklaces.

Edible Jewelry

Kids can also put the holiday table to use as a place to create handmade gifts for friends and family. To turn colorful candy into necklaces or bracelets, supply kids with string, twine and ribbon in assorted styles. Encourage them to get creative with color and shape, and then bestow their creations to friends or family.

One-of-a-Kind Candy Garland

Candy garland is a more practical alternative to candy necklaces or bracelets. The key to creating these effectively is ensuring kids use safety scissors to cut strands no less than 48 inches in length. Once placed around the tree, these strands can create a cohesive, seamless look without the hassle of having to start directly at the bottom, then winding up and around the tree with one extra-long single strand.

Sweet Takeaways

Help tiny guests gather their culinary crafts with unique party bags. Find letters and fonts online, and then print them directly onto paper bags by running them through a basic color printer. Prior to the end of the party, keep the bags displayed nearby as tree decor, encouraging kids to take them down and fill them up before they leave.

Set Up a Kids' Candy Crafting Table for Christmas

Related To:

Shop This Look

Interactive Crafting + Snack Station

Coordinating Cushions

A Spot for Everyone

Vintage Milk Bottles

Classic Snack Style

Candy-Colored Treats

Playing With Food

Edible Jewelry

One-of-a-Kind Candy Garland

Sweet Takeaways

More from:

Help Around the Home: December

Christmas Crafts for Kids 4 Videos

Kids' Craft: Make a Pom-Pom Christmas Garland

75 Christmas Crafts for Kids 75 Photos

Christmas Kids' Craft: Yarn Ball Ornaments

Kids' Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas They'll Love 7 Photos

Christmas in Candy Land: A Kids’ Holiday Table 15 Photos

Related Pages