How dang adorable is this little popsicle stick reindeer? We used to make these all the time when were were kids. Popsicle sticks + red pom pom + googly eyes and pipe cleaners. Easy peasy. My sister and I are actually six years apart, but we both had fun making these every year because there are so many ways this simply craft can be varied and modified to please older or younger children. Be sure to write your kids' names and the date on the back so you'll remember when they made it.
How to Make a Popsicle Stick Reindeer
This craft is an oldie but a goodie. There’s a reason these old-fashioned traditions stand the test of time. This is a fun activity to do with little kids while teaching them the story of Rudolph and Santa’s reindeer. Even preschoolers can maneuver popsicle sticks and craft pom poms to make a holiday ornament that’s bound to be cherished for years down the line. My 2-year-old recently made one of these in preschool, actually, which is what prompted me to share this simple craft with all of you.
Supplies:
- Three popsicle sticks
- Googly eyes
- Red pom pom
- Two brown pipe cleaners
- Craft glue
- Brown paint or marker (optional)
Directions:
- If you choose to color your popsicle sticks, go ahead and fill in the front side of the popsicle sticks using a brown marker or paint.
- Glue the craft sticks into a triangle shape as shown above by placing a dot of glue where each popsicle stick meets.
- Glue the googly eyes in place using two more dots of glue.
- Glue the red pom pom in place as Rudolph’s nose.
- Wrap the pipe cleaners around the corners of the reindeer’s head and bend them to look like antlers.
Some people choose to cut out mistletoe or holly shapes from construction paper to glue onto the reindeer’s head, or tie on a bow or sparkles. You can even use different colored googly eyes, noses and antlers to let children create reindeer versions of themselves!
Holiday Name Tags
These make really cute holiday name tags when hung from a desk or tied to a string to serve as a necklace for a fun teacher. You could even use these as creative gift tags and write “To” and “From” on the reindeer’s forehead, or make all of Santa’s reindeer along with Santa himself to stick onto a wreath! You could also make popsicle stick elves, angels, snowmen. All sorts of things!
Popsicle Stick Gifts
We've actually started painting a single popsicle stick and drawing faces on it to serve as bookmarks that we give out to friends, which could also be a fantastic giveaway for friends, family and classmates during the season. It's also a fun way to add someone's name to a gift: decorate the craft stick and loop a piece of twine through a hole you drill up towards the top and then tie to the present bow. Write the “to” name on one side and the “from” on the other side. When it's done being used as a sweet nametag, it can serve as a Christmas ornament!
Of the many popsicle stick crafts we've made, this is popsicle stick reindeer craft definitely my favorite. I can't wait to add more to the collection!
What creative popsicle stick crafts can you think of for the holidays?