Free Candy Cane Coloring Page
Print this free candy cane coloring page and color it with crayons, markers or colored pencils. It takes about 15 minutes and works for ages 3 and up.
- Coloring page
- Ages 3+
- Grades Pre–K-K
- Beginner
- About 15 min
You’ll need
- The printed page
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Small-muscle control
- Coloring inside a shape
- Picking colors that go together
Free Activity Page from Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters — Enjoy This Candy Cane Coloring Page
Today I’m excited to share a festive new free activity page from my book Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters. This time, the free page features a cheerful holiday classic—a Candy Cane Coloring Page with a friendly face and plenty of space for young artists to make it their own. If your kids enjoy tracing, coloring, and simple creative activities with a holiday twist, this page is the perfect seasonal treat.
Just like the rest of the characters in the book, the candy cane on this free page is designed with bold lines, a friendly expression, and a charming cartoon style to make it fun and approachable for kids ages 3 and up. Whether you’re looking for a quick Christmas art activity, a classroom-friendly printable, or something relaxing for kids to work on during the holidays, this Candy Cane Coloring Page is a great place to start.
About the Book: Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters
The Candy Cane Coloring Page is just one example of the fun kids can have with Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters. Inside the book, kids will find a wide variety of holiday-themed cartoon characters, each presented in the same accessible trace-and-color format. This makes the book ideal for young artists who want a creative outlet without the pressure of drawing independently.
Characters in the book include:
- Santa
- Reindeer
- Snowmen
- Gingerbread characters
- Winter animals
- Christmas treats
Each character begins with a simple outline that kids trace before bringing the image to life with their favorite colors. This structure helps children build hand coordination, learn shape recognition, and practice early drawing skills while having fun.
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters is designed for ages 3+, but I’ve watched plenty of older kids—and even adults—enjoy these pages simply because they’re fun and relaxing. The holiday theme adds an extra layer of charm, making it a great activity for December afternoons, classrooms, homeschool settings, and family gatherings.
Why Kids Love Trace-and-Color Pages
A Candy Cane Coloring Page might seem simple at first glance, but the trace-then-color format supports young artists in ways many parents don’t realize. It offers a bit more structure than traditional coloring books, which makes it especially good for kids who are still developing fine motor skills.
Here’s why this format works so well:
1. It Builds Drawing Confidence
Tracing the candy cane outline gives kids an immediate sense of success. When they follow the lines and their drawing looks great, they’re more motivated to keep going.
2. It Encourages Creative Decision-Making
Even though the outline is provided, the coloring choices belong entirely to the child. The Candy Cane Coloring Page becomes a springboard for imagination.
3. It Helps Young Artists Develop Control
Tracing teaches kids how to guide their pencil along curves and edges. Over time, this improves handwriting, pen grip, and overall coordination.
4. It’s Relaxing and Low-Pressure
Kids don’t have to worry about making mistakes. The outline is there to support them, and the coloring process is soothing and screen-free.
5. It Works for Repeated Use
If your child loves the Candy Cane Coloring Page, you can print as many copies as they want. Each version can look completely different.
View The Trace Then Color Series
Part of the Larger Trace Then Color Series
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters is just one book in my growing Trace Then Color series, which now includes many different themes to match all kinds of interests. These books cover topics like animals, monsters, robots, holidays, fantasy characters, and more.
Across the entire series, the goal remains the same: give kids a fun, effective, screen-free creative activity that also builds early drawing skills. All illustrations in the series are hand-drawn by me, and each book is developed with young artists in mind.
View All 80+ Art Books for Kids
The Candy Cane Coloring Page you’re getting today is a great example of what kids can expect from the series—friendly characters, simple outlines, and endless opportunities to imagine, trace, and color.
A Closer Look at the Free Candy Cane Coloring Page
This Candy Cane Coloring Page gives kids a fun, simple, and creative tracing and coloring experience. The candy cane features a classic curved shape, expressive eyes, and a friendly smile that gives it plenty of character. Young artists begin by tracing the bold outline, which helps build confidence and muscle memory. After that, they can color it however they’d like—traditional red and white stripes, or something completely different.
The beauty of a Candy Cane Coloring Page like this one is its flexibility. Kids can approach it however their imagination leads:
- Go classic with red and white coloring
- Add sparkles, patterns, or winter details
- Experiment with rainbow stripes
- Turn the candy cane character into part of a bigger holiday scene
Trace Then Color: Christmas Characters
This free page is easy enough for young beginners and still fun for older kids who enjoy putting their own spin on things.
And like all the characters in my books, this candy cane was drawn by hand—no AI or computer-generated artwork. Every line is crafted to give kids the best tracing experience possible.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy, festive, kid-friendly art activity, this Candy Cane Coloring Page is a wonderful place to start. It’s quick to trace, fun to color, and perfect for holiday creativity at home or in the classroom. Kids can experiment with different color combinations, different expressions, and different shading styles, making every version unique.
I hope your young artist enjoys this free page, and if they do, the full Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters book offers many more festive characters to explore throughout the season.
Draw it 3 ways
Every FirstArtBooks theme comes in three formats. Trace it, draw it step by step, or copy it square by square: the more ways kids draw a character, the better they know it.
- How to DrawHow to Draw booksDraw it step by stepNo free page of this one yet. See the How to Draw books (ages 5+)
- Trace Then Color
Trace it, then color itYou’re on this pageSee all Trace Then Color books - Draw by GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a party table with friends.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The best present of all was…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your candy cane a name and a job. What makes it happy, and what makes it grumpy? Write two or three sentences.
Print a draw-and-write sheet: a box for the drawing and lines for the story. Primary lines (K–2) · Regular lines (grades 2–5)
Want to make it a whole story? Try the comic story starter or fold a mini-book in Story Studio.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- The character has no holiday clues.
- Add one clear detail: a hat, a scarf, a bow, lights or a heart.
- The round shapes look lumpy.
- Draw circles in one smooth movement, or trace around a cup or a lid.
- The colors blend together.
- Pick two or three colors for the whole picture, and leave some white.
- Coloring over the lines on the edges.
- Outline the inside edge of each shape first, then fill the middle. It works like a fence.
More in 10 common drawing mistakes kids make.
Talk about it
For the grown-up: ask one or two of these while your child draws. There are no wrong answers.
- What is your favorite thing about this holiday?
- Who would you give this drawing to?
- Which step was the trickiest? What did you do to get past it?
- What shapes can you find in your drawing?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this coloring page
What age is this candy cane coloring page for?
Ages 3 and up (about grades Pre-K to K). Little kids can color it with crayons; older kids can add patterns and shading.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
The printed page; crayons, markers or colored pencils. Chunky crayons or washable markers are easiest for small hands.
What size does it print?
US Letter (8.5 by 11 inches). Use Print this page or Download PDF above. On A4 paper, choose “Fit to page” in the print settings.
Can I print more than one copy?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your family, class or group. The page is free for home and classroom use.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades Pre–K-K, about 15 minutes. Coloring page, beginner level.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas: students choose colors and patterns.
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students build control with coloring tools.
See every lesson by standard, plus the math in grid drawing, on the arts standards map.
Copies: print as many as your class needs. More in the teacher resources and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Christmas Drawing Pack
10 printable Christmas pages to draw, trace, color and decorate, sent with your welcome email. After that, Kevin’s newsletter brings new free pages and book news.
Take the idea into a book
Want more characters to draw, trace or color? Explore these related books and see which approach fits your next creative session.
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Christmas Characters
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Mermaids, Unicorns, and Other Cute Stuff Coloring and Activity Book
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Food Monsters
By Kevin Coulston
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