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Make an adorable DIY paper plate reindeer using a few simple supplies and easy peasy instructions this holiday season.
I love doing Christmas crafts with the kids, especially when paper plates are involved. The paper plates give out crafts structure, making them easy to complete. We made paper plate reindeer this holiday season, and they turned out SO cute. Add this to your list of Christmas activities to work on this winter. Your kids will improve their fine motor skills, and you’ll have adorable, customized decorations for the fridge, windows, and walls. Keep reading to see how simple these activities are to create.
Paper Plate Reindeer How-To Video:
Paper Plate Reindeer Craft Supplies
You need simple materials from the craft store to complete this craft. The materials can be found online, at the craft store, and even the Dollar Tree. Here’s what you need to get started with this craft:
- light brown and red cardstock or construction paper
- yellow, blue, pink, red, purple, and dark brown paint
- black Sharpie
- medium to large googly eyes
- dessert-sized paper plate
- school glue
You can also use a glue stick if you don’t want to use liquid glue. Remember that the pieces may not stick as well, but it is an option. Hot glue can make things stick well and hold up in storage if you plan to keep the craft.
How to Make a Paper Plate Reindeer
Putting this craft together is very simple! It’s an easy Christmas craft for kids of all ages. Make a reindeer with a black nose or add red to make Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Kids will absolutely love making their fun reindeer crafts at home or in the classroom. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to make your own reindeer craft.
- Paint the back of the plate brown and let it dry completely.
- Cut out antlers and ears.
- Draw a string of lights on the antlers.
- In a few areas, color a small square or rectangle shape.
- Add dots beneath the squares for the Christmas lights using the bottom of a paintbrush dipped in paint. Let it dry.
- Glue the antlers and ears to your paper plate.
- Add the nose, googly eyes, and a smirk smile.
Before making your craft, ask kids which reindeer is their favorite reindeer! Read some fun reindeer stories or watch Rudolf together so they can get some inspiration. You’ll have a cute reindeer hanging up in your home in no time.
How Do You Make Reindeer Antlers with Pipe Cleaners?
Instead of using construction paper, you can add some dimension to your reindeer paper plate craft by attaching some brown pipe cleaners. All you need are several pieces of pipe cleaner to get started.
Begin by twisting two pipe cleaners together to make a sturdy base. Then, add additional pieces to build them up and stem off the original piece. They can point off in different directions and be curved in places. Once they are formed, glue them to your paper plate craft.
Attach a Popsicle Stick
For a twist on this craft, glue a craft stick to the back of the paper plate, and you now have an adorable puppet for your kids to use. Use the cute craft to retell stories about reindeer or to play with. It’s a great way to practice retelling skills and learn stories about the Christmas season.
Set up a space for a little puppet theater and let your kids get creative with their adorable reindeer craft creations. Use some of my other paper plate crafts for the holidays to make an assortment of puppets for the theater. Kids will love using crafts they created to tell stories and use their imaginations.
Can I Use Handprint Antlers?
Using handprint antlers is a great way to spice up this craft! Use your child’s handprints to make two antlers to attach to the top of the reindeer’s head. Simply cut them out of the tan construction paper and glue them to the brown paper plate. Draw your string of lights and apply the paint dots just like the instructions above.
I hope you enjoy this fun craft with your whole family, and Merry Christmas!
More Paper Plate Crafts for you and your little ones:
- Paper Plate Snow Globe Craft – Use this adorable craft idea to make a snow globe on a large plate.
- Paper Plate Wreath – Once complete, these make adorable bulletin board decorations for the home or school hallways.
- Paper Plate Grinch – If your kids love this movie as much as mine, this craft is sure to be a hit every year.
Paper Plate Reindeer
Supplies
- light brown and red cardstock or construction paper
- yellow, blue, pink, red, purple, and dark brown paint
- black Sharpie
- medium to large googly eyes
- dessert-sized paper plate
- school glue
Instructions
- Paint the back of the plate brown and let it dry completely.
- Cut out antlers and ears.
- Draw a string of lights on the antlers.
- In a few areas, color a small square or rectangle shape.
- Add dots beneath the squares for the Christmas lights using the bottom of a paintbrush dipped in paint. Let it dry.
- Glue the antlers and ears to your paper plate.
- Add the nose, googly eyes, and a smirk smile.
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