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Step by step · ages 3 to 8

How to draw a candy cane

A hook, a stick and a row of stripes. It's the simplest drawing here, and the stripes are the fun part.

One shape, then stripes, which makes it a good first drawing. The harder version ties a big bow around the middle.

Watch it draw itselfThe stepsPrint the step sheet

Watch, then draw

Watch it draw itself

The red lines are the new ones. Draw them on your paper, then press Next step. Or press play and watch the whole thing first.

Step 1 of 4

Let's draw a candy cane! First, a long hook shape, like a letter J.

The video, with a voice for every step

0:25 long, the easy version. Pause it after each step while the pencils catch up.

How to draw a candy cane, step by step

Easy, ages 3 to 5 · 4 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a candy cane! First, a long hook shape, like a letter J.

  2. Step 2. Now four stripes around the curvy hook at the top.

  3. Step 3. Now three slanted stripes down the top of the stick.

  4. Step 4. Last, four more stripes down to the bottom. Sweet!

A bit harder, ages 6 to 8 · 7 steps

  1. Step 1. Let's draw a candy cane with a bow! First, the big curvy hook.

  2. Step 2. Now a knot in the middle, where the ribbon is tied.

  3. Step 3. Now a big ribbon loop on each side of the knot.

  4. Step 4. Now two ribbon tails hanging down, with pointy ends.

  5. Step 5. Now the bottom of the stick, peeking out under the bow.

  6. Step 6. Now slanted stripes all around the hook at the top.

  7. Step 7. Last, two stripes on the bottom of the stick. Sweet!

Print · free, no sign-up

Two pages: every step with its words, then a frame to draw your own candy cane in. Black and white, US Letter or A4.

  • Easy, ages 3 to 5

    4 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

  • A bit harder, ages 6 to 8

    7 steps on page 1, a frame to draw in on page 2.

    PrintUS LetterA4

Free for home and classroom use. To pass them on, please share the link to this page and not the file.

Make it yours

  • Make the stripes zigzag instead of straight.
  • Hang it on a drawn Christmas tree.
  • Draw a whole row of candy canes, each one with its own colors.

Rather color one in? Candy cane coloring pages, free to print or color on a phone or tablet.

Our own book

The Christmas Secret

A Christmas Eve picture book with a read-along · ages 3 to 7 · out on October 20

In our book, a red and white candy cane hangs from Santa's balloon, and they say one drop of it can make any wish come true.

Out on October 20See inside the book

Questions

Grown-ups ask

How do you draw candy cane stripes?

Draw short slanted lines across the cane, all leaning the same way and evenly spaced. Around the hook, keep them pointing toward the middle of the curve.

Which level should my child try?

Start with easy, whatever their age. Easy is a handful of big shapes, and a bit harder adds the small details. If easy is done in a minute, switch.

What do we need?

Paper and a pencil, and crayons or markers to color it in afterwards. A thick marker is easier for little hands than a pencil, and an eraser saves a lot of tears.

Can I print the steps?

Yes, free, in US Letter or A4, one for each level. Print at 100% so the steps come out big enough to copy. All 16 drawings in one file come by email, from the box on this page.

More Christmas drawings

More Christmas

Or see all of them on one page, from the weeks before Christmas to the night itself.