Reindeer during the Christmas season are truly a wonder to behold. Maybe it’s because they’re said to pull Santa’s sleigh, or maybe it’s just their antlers that somehow bring a smile to our faces. Whatever the reason, these reindeer craft ideas for kids are sure to become favorite activities for keeping little hands busy while creating memories that last long after the tinsel is gone.
1. Candy Cane Reindeer Craft
Materials:
- 2 candy canes
- 2 clear tubes of candy (like M&Ms)
- A piece of cardboard tube (or brown paper)
- 2 googly eyes
- 1 red pom-pom
- String or ribbon
- 1 little jingle bell
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Put two candy tubes side by side.
- Place two candy canes behind them with the hooks at the top — these are the reindeer antlers.
- Wrap the cardboard tube (or paper) around the middle to hold everything together. Ask an adult to help glue it.
- Glue on two googly eyes.
- Glue on the red pom-pom nose under the eyes.
- Tie string or ribbon around the middle like a belt. Add the jingle bell and make a bow.
This candy cane reindeer craft is wonderful for busy decorating or as tasty teacher and neighbor gifts. And if the craft doesn’t survive the season, well, at least it’s a snack!
2. Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments
Materials:
- Wooden clothespins
- Brown paint or markers
- Small googly eyes
- Red buttons or pom-poms
- Mini twigs or brown pipe cleaners
- String or ribbon for hanging
- Clear sealant (optional)
Instructions:
- Paint clothespins brown and let dry completely
- Glue googly eyes onto the “head” end of the clothespin
- Attach red button or pom-pom for the nose
- Break small twigs into antler shapes or form pipe cleaners into antlers
- Glue antlers to the top of the clothespin
- Wrap ribbon around “neck” area to hang
- Clear coat if wanted for durability
These clothespin reindeer craft ornaments are surprisingly long-lasting and have that rustic appearance that is just beautiful on any Christmas tree. Explore these 24 Christmas tree ornaments to make with your kids.
3. Paper Plate Reindeer Face
Materials:
- Brown paper plates
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom
- Brown construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Black marker
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Use brown paper plate as the reindeer’s face
- Cut antler shapes from brown construction paper
- Glue antlers to the top back of the plate
- Attach googly eyes in the center area
- Glue red pom-pom below eyes for nose
- Draw a smiling mouth with black marker
- Add any additional facial features
Paper plate crafts develop kids’ motor skills and creativity. This reindeer paper plate craft is so easy but has such a cheerful outcome. They are perfect wall hanging decorations or can be turned into masks using the addition of a popsicle stick handle. Explore more fun paper plate Christmas crafts.
4. Toilet Paper Roll Reindeer
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Brown paint
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Paintbrush
- Black marker
Instructions:
- Paint toilet paper roll brown and let dry
- Glue googly eyes onto the front of the roll
- Add red pom-pom nose below eyes
- Poke holes in the top of roll for antlers
- Insert and twist pipe cleaner antlers through holes
- Draw on a mouth and any other details
- Let everything dry completely
Toilet paper roll crafts allow kids’ imaginations to go wild. Kids love the idea of turning what would have been trash into something truly special. Explore more Christmas-themed toilet paper roll crafts here.
5. Paper Bag Reindeer Puppet
Materials:
- Brown paper lunch bags
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom
- Brown construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Keep paper bag folded with the flap at the bottom
- Glue googly eyes onto the flap area
- Add red pom-pom nose on the flap
- Cut antler shapes from brown paper
- Glue antlers to the top of the bag behind the flap
- Draw mouth and other features below the flap
- Decorate the body of the bag as desired
The reindeer paper bag craft is immediately transformed into a puppet that can read Christmas tales or sing carols at Christmas time. It’s amazing how paper bag crafts can spark creativity, turning simple supplies into hours of festive fun and imaginative play.
6. Pine Cone Reindeer
Materials:
- Pine cones (various sizes)
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Hot glue gun (adult use)
- Small twigs (optional)
Instructions:
- Choose pine cone orientation (tip up or down)
- Hot glue googly eyes onto the “face” area
- Add red pom-pom nose
- Create antlers using pipe cleaners or small twigs
- Attach antlers to the top of the pine cone
- Let glue set completely before handling
- Use on mantels or as table decor
Pine cone reindeer bring the outdoors indoors and are so country, warm, fuzzy. Kids love to hunt for the perfect pine cones, so the craft starts with a nature walk.
7. Sock Reindeer
Materials:
- Brown socks
- Rice or stuffing
- Rubber bands
- Googly eyes
- Red felt
- Brown felt or pipe cleaners
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Fill sock with rice or stuffing, leaving room at the top
- Secure with rubber band to create head and body sections
- Glue on googly eyes
- Cut small heart from red felt for nose and attach
- Create antlers from brown felt or pipe cleaners
- Attach antlers to head area
- Add ribbon bow around neck area
Sock reindeer are just so snuggable and adorable, and are wonderful room decorations or gifts. There is something so huggable about their soft, squishy texture that kids adore cuddling them.
8. Reindeer Rock Painting
Materials:
- Smooth rocks (various sizes)
- Brown paint
- Black paint
- Red paint
- Small brushes
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Clear sealant
Instructions:
- Clean rocks and let dry completely
- Paint entire rock brown and allow to dry
- Paint black antlers at the top
- Add red nose and black facial features
- Use googly eyes or paint white/black eyes
- Seal with clear coat for durability
- Display in garden or give as gifts
Rock painting is highly therapeutic, and these reindeer rocks may be left outdoors all year as garden decorations. Once the holidays have passed, your kids might still enjoy painting more rocks.
9. Reindeer Bookmarks
Materials:
- Brown cardstock
- Laminating sheets (optional)
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Brown ribbon
- Hole punch
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut bookmark rectangles from brown cardstock
- Cut antler shapes and glue to top of bookmark
- Add googly eyes and red pom-pom nose or draw the nose
- Draw simple mouth and details
- Laminate if desired for durability
- Punch hole at top and thread ribbon through
- Trim ribbon to desired length
These reindeer bookmarks would make wonderful gifts for bookworms in your life. They’re functional and personalized, and when someone uses one, they’ll think of the little hands that made it.
10. Coffee Filter Reindeer
Materials:
- Coffee filters
- Brown watercolor or food coloring
- Spray bottles
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Clothespins
Instructions:
- Flatten coffee filters and clip with clothespins to work surface
- Spray or drop brown coloring onto filters
- Let colors bleed and blend naturally
- Allow to dry completely
- Gather filter in center to create reindeer head shape
- Twist pipe cleaner around gathered area to secure
- Add googly eyes, nose, and pipe cleaner antlers
The watercolor method on coffee filters is totally magical, and each reindeer is unique. This activity combines art skills with Christmas spirit in the most adorable way. Coffee filters also make adorable Christmas wreath crafts for kids.
11. Reindeer Snow Globes
Materials:
- Mason jars
- Brown polymer clay or small figurines
- Glycerin
- Glitter
- Distilled water
- Waterproof glue
Instructions:
- Create small reindeer from polymer clay or use figurines
- Glue reindeer to inside of jar lid
- Fill jar with distilled water, leaving small air space
- Add glitter and a few drops of glycerin
- Screw lid on tightly, check for leaks
- Turn over and shake gently
- Decorate jar exterior if desired
These reindeer snow globes are beloved keepsakes that hold the magic of Christmas in a jar. Watching the glitter fall like snowflakes all over the little reindeer never gets old, whether you shake it ten times or one hundred.
12. Reindeer Stick Puppets
Materials:
- Brown construction paper
- Craft sticks
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Markers
Instructions:
- Cut reindeer head shapes from brown paper
- Cut antler shapes and glue to back of heads
- Add googly eyes and red pom-pom noses
- Draw mouths and other facial details
- Glue craft stick to back of head as handle
- Create multiple puppets for puppet shows
- Let all glue dry before use
Stick puppets open up a whole world of Christmas storytelling. Kids can create their own holiday adventures, with reindeer that fly and North Pole escapades. Discover 15 more easy popsicle stick Christmas crafts for kids.
13. Handprint Reindeer
Materials:
- Brown paint
- Construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom
- Black marker
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint child’s hand brown and press onto paper
- Let the handprint dry completely
- Glue on googly eyes near the thumb area
- Add a red pom-pom nose
- Draw a mouth with black marker (the fingers become the antlers)
14. Pom Pom Reindeer
Materials:
- Large brown pom-pom
- Small red pom-pom
- Googly eyes
- Brown construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions:
- Glue googly eyes onto the brown pom-pom.
- Attach the red pom-pom below the eyes for the nose.
- Cut antlers from brown construction paper.
- Glue antlers to the top of the pom-pom.
15. Handprint Reindeer Ornaments
Materials:
- Brown construction paper or cardstock (handprint shapes)
- Red pom pom for the nose
- Googly eyes
- Brown pipe cleaners (for antlers)
- Black marker (for mouth details)
- Ribbon or yarn (for hanging loop)
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Instructions:
- Trace a child’s hand on brown paper and cut out the handprint shape.
- Punch a hole at the top for hanging later.
- Glue two googly eyes near the base of the thumb (the reindeer’s face).
- Attach a red pom-pom in the center of the thumb tip for the nose.
- Draw a smile under the nose with a black marker.
- Cut short pieces of brown pipe cleaner and glue them onto the fingers to create antlers.
- Thread ribbon or yarn through the punched hole and tie a loop for hanging.
Looking for more Christmas inspo? Check out these 25 easy Christmas tree crafts for kids, 10 easy Christmas cards to make together, 13 super easy Santa crafts, cute pipe cleaner crafts, and a collection of fun Grinch crafts they’ll love.
Once Christmas has passed, don’t pack away the creativity—discover even more fun in our winter crafts for kids collection!
