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Originally published April 17, 2017, updated June 23, 2021 and April 4, 2023.

While you can purchase a candy lei, it really is simple to learn how to make a candy lei. If you grew up in Hawai’i or know anyone who grew up in Hawai’i, you know that there are many occasions when leis are given. There are many different kinds of leis, but a candy lei is always a hit. Making your own candy lei is a colorful and fun way to celebrate any occasion and is always a huge hit.

Making a candy lei is a fun and easy craft that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Variations can be made by using different types of candy.

There are many various styles of leis, including a variety of flower leis, money leis, crocheted leis, ribbon leis, eyelash yarn leis and more. 

Candy leis have been a fun twist on the concept of a lei for decades. Candy leis have been around since at least the 1960’s.

One of the most popular occasions for giving a candy lei is at school graduations. In Hawai’i, you’ll always see candy leis included as fun graduation gifts at graduation ceremonies. I’ve seen school graduates with leis piles up to their ears!

A candy lei is perfect for:

It’s very simple to make a candy lei when you know how. You can make one in about 15 to 20 minutes. With a bit of planning, you can make a candy lei in your graduate’s school colors as a personalized celebration.

What do you need to make a candy lei?

• A simple to follow tutorial like the one below.
• Poly tubing for leis, netting for leis or plastic wrap (such as Saran wrap), with plastic wrap being the least desirable choice
• Satin ribbon or curling ribbon – If you’re making the lei for graduation, choose the school colors.
• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Candy – Large bag of assorted candy or color-coordinated candy to match the high school colors. You can choose whatever candy you’d like to make a unique candy lei.
  • Advice on choosing candy
    • Only make a candy bar lei for cooler temperatures or if it will only be worn a short time. You don’t want the chocolate to melt.
    • Do choose the recipient’s favorite candy if you know it.
    • Choose candy in the school colors for graduation.
    • Choose small, individually wrapped pieces of candy that will fit into the lei tubing or netting.

Suggested Candy Lei Ideas

Making a candy lei is a great use of candy left over from Halloween, a holiday or party.

You can make a lei out of small toys, small dollar store items, coins and really almost anything. I even shared a tutorial to make DIY Leis out of almost anything.

While you can make a candy lei for any special occasion, I’ll be describing making it as a graduation lei. You can choose to adapt color choices to meet the needs of your occasion or recipient.

How to Make a Candy Lei

It’s easiest to work on a large flat surface, like a table or clean floor area.

Cut the poly tubing (lei netting or cling wrap) to a length of approximately 60 inches long to create a finished diy candy lei that is approximately 42 inches long. You can make it longer for a taller graduate or shorter for a child.

Cut each piece of ribbon to approximately 8 inch lengths. Group two or more school color ribbon pieces together to make a fuller candy lei. To make this step go faster, I measure and cut the multiple colors of ribbon together at the same time.

Slip pieces of candy into the poly tubing. Plan ahead to alternate candy colors and types to create the candy garland you want. Leave about a 1/2 inch space between each piece of candy. I like to place the first piece of candy in the center of the tubing and then plan the design out from there. This allows you to work on each side of the lei, working out from the center.

Some people prefer to place all the candy in the poly tubing before tying the ribbon. I find it easier to tie the ribbon after I add each piece of candy. Be sure to snug the ribbons down on either side of the candy, so that the side of the knot is close to the piece of candy. This allows you to maximize the number of pieces of candy that will fit in your lei.

The ribbon stays in place best by tying square knots with the ribbon, but really any ribbon knot will work, as long as it is a double knot. Many people use curling ribbon and curl the ends after tying. I had satin ribbon on-hand from making ribbon leis and chose it use it for the candy lei.

I start from the center of the lei and work out to the ends by alternating adding candy to each side. If you find the ribbons are too long, trim them to the desired length. It’s a nice touch to trim the end of the ribbon on an angle.

When you reach the ends of the poly tubing, insert one end into the other and tie the ribbon to hold the tubing together.

The end will stay securely closed if you overlap each side with one piece of candy in the middle so that you tie the candy lei closed on both sides of that last candy piece.

Add a bow made from sheer ribbon or any wide ribbon to the area where you joined the ends of the poly tubing. 

Using candy in the graduate’s high school colors is an easy way to personalized the graduation candy lei gift.

Once you get the hang of tying the ribbons in place, the candy lei making really does go pretty quickly. It’s a project that you can make with elementary school aged children with a bit of supervision. Remember, if your graduate is celebrating in warm weather, be sure to choose the type of candy carefully so it doesn’t melt.

Now that you know how to make a candy lei, how many students do you know graduating this year? These candy leis also make great party favors.

More Lei Tutorials

Dog Treat Lei – I used the candy lei tutorial to make a

You may have missed these other candy craft ideas

• Easy Candy Acorns – A cute craft you can make with the kids. They’re perfect for table decorations or party favors.
• Halloween Gauze Wrapped Candy Bars – Fun to make and fun to enjoy.
• Candy Graduation Caps – Fun to make graduation treats.

Making a candy lei is a delightful and creative activity that can bring joy to both the maker and recipient. Be sure to pin this tutorial on how to make a candy lei so you can find it again and again every graduation season or for any special occasion.

See all my favorite graduation crafts, party  ideas, printables and recipes in the table below. You can scroll through the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.