DIY Candy Corn Garland Tutorial for a Fun Farmhouse Touch!

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Hey everyone! Here at the farm, we’re always finding fun ways to celebrate the changing seasons AND make sweet memories. Now that my kids are older and want to be more independent I call that “mandatory fun” time.

Am I right? No? Just me?

Anyway, I wanted to share a family-friendly DIY that brings a bit of that sweet seasonal charm into your home — a candy corn garland made from ridged paper plates! It’s budget-friendly, requires just a few supplies, and looks charming strung up in any room. So gather the kids, grab some plates, and let’s get crafty!

What You’ll Need:

• Fluted white paper plates

• Acrylic paint in yellow, orange, and white

• Paintbrushes or foam brushes

• Corner rounder cutter

• Scissors

• Hole punch

• Twine or ribbon for hanging

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Paint the Layers

With your triangle facing pointy-side down, you’ll want to paint:

1. White Center Circle- Paint the smallest section at the top white, leaving about an inch.

2. Orange Middle Ring – Paint the middle section orange, making this stripe about twice as thick as the white.

3. Yellow Outer Ring – Finish by painting the bottom section yellow. You’ll want it to cover any leftover plate.

Allow each section to dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next color, especially if kids are helping to keep the colors crisp and clean.

Step 2: Cut Your Candy Corn Shapes

Take your dried paper plate and cut it into triangles like a pizza. You can easily get 6-8 candy corn pieces per plate, depending on its size. The ridges/fluting on the plate give the triangles a bit of texture that looks just like real candy corn stripes.

Step 3: Round the Corners

Using your corner rounder cutter, round off the sharp tips of the triangles. This gives each triangle a softer, more realistic candy corn shape, plus it’s safer for little hands if you’re working with kids.

Step 4: Punch Holes for Hanging

Once all your candy corn pieces are dry and cut with the corners rounded, use a hole punch to make two small holes near the top corners of each piece. This is where your garland string will go through.

Step 5: String It Together

Cut a length of twine or ribbon as long as you want your garland to be, then thread it through each piece, spacing them out evenly. We like to use a natural twine for a rustic, farmhouse look, but you can use whatever you have on hand!

Step 6: Hang and Enjoy!

Once all your candy corn pieces are strung, it’s time to hang your garland! Drape it over a mantel, along a wall, or across a doorway. The garland adds a festive, farmhouse touch to any space — and since it’s paper, it’s easy to store for next year.

Tips for Success:

• For a sturdier garland, consider laminating each piece or brushing on a layer of Mod Podge once they’re painted. This will help protect them if they’re displayed outdoors.

• Add some sparkle! Try dusting a little fine glitter over the paint before it dries for a sparkly twist.

• Encourage kids to paint a few extra “custom” candy corns in their own colors and add those to the garland for a personal touch!

We hope this little project brings some seasonal charm to your home!  There’s something special about homemade decorations that just makes the season feel warmer. Happy crafting from our farm to yours!