Reindeer Ornament Craft: A Sweet and Simple Christmas Keepsake

popsicle sticks glued together and decorated to look like a reindeer

There’s something so special about handmade Christmas ornaments — especially the ones created by little hands. This Reindeer Ornament Craft is one of those timeless projects that kids love to make and parents love to keep. Using popsicle sticks, paint, and a few simple craft supplies, children can create their very own reindeer friend to hang on the tree. Each one turns out a little different, giving them all the charm of a handmade holiday memory.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you!

a reindeer popsicle stick ornament craft for kids

This craft is the perfect mix of festive and manageable. It’s easy to prep, simple to assemble, and fun for all ages. Whether you’re working with a classroom full of excited students, planning a craft for your family’s holiday weekend, or hosting a Christmas party for kids, this reindeer ornament is always a hit. It’s cute, creative, and just the right balance between structured and open-ended — kids can follow along with the basic steps but still have room to make each reindeer their own.

To make your Reindeer Ornament, you’ll need:

colored construction paper scissors glue googly eyes popsicle sticks painted brown yarn and pipe cleaners

Popsicle sticks
Brown paint
A paintbrush
Googly eyes
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Yarn
Fuzzy wire (pipe cleaner)
The included template for the face, antlers, and other pieces

How To Make The Reindeer Ornament Craft

popsicle sticks painted brown and cut to resemble an arch

Start by preparing your popsicle sticks. You’ll need two for each reindeer. Paint them brown and set them aside to dry. Once dry, cut both sticks into slightly curved shapes at the ends. This small detail gives your reindeer a more finished, rounded look. Glue the two sticks together side-by-side to form the base of the body, and then paint the very bottom tips black — these will be the reindeer’s feet.

Next, grab your templates and trace each piece onto the appropriate color of construction paper. The templates include the reindeer’s face, ears, body, and antlers. Once everything is traced, carefully cut out the shapes. This step is great fine motor practice for younger children and gives them a chance to focus on following lines and using scissors with control.

Now it’s time to assemble! Begin by attaching the face near the top of your popsicle stick body. Glue it firmly in place, then add the ears and antlers. The ears can be glued behind the head so they peek out, while the antlers can be attached just above. You can use brown construction paper for the antlers or twist brown pipe cleaners into shape for a more textured, 3D effect.

Once the head and antlers are secure, attach the googly eyes and cut a small red or brown circle for the nose — a bright red pom pom works perfectly if you’re making a Rudolph! Below the head, glue on the reindeer’s body piece from the template.

Finally, take a piece of fuzzy wire or yarn and tie it just below the reindeer’s face. This creates a cute little collar or scarf. You can even add a small jingle bell if you have one on hand to make your reindeer extra festive.

At this point, your reindeer will have come to life — complete with wiggly eyes, a friendly smile, and a touch of sparkle. For the finishing touch, loop a small piece of yarn at the top and glue or tape it securely to the back. This will be your ornament hanger. Once dry, your reindeer is ready to join the rest of your holiday decorations!

Why Parents and Teachers Love This ornament Craft

The best part about this craft is how customizable it is. Some kids might give their reindeer red scarves while others choose green. Some may add glitter to the antlers, while others might draw patterns on the body. Each ornament reflects the maker’s personality, which makes them even more meaningful. They also make sweet gifts — children can create one for parents, grandparents, or teachers. It’s the kind of homemade ornament that gets saved and hung on the tree year after year.

This activity fits beautifully into both home and classroom settings. In a classroom, it’s a perfect holiday project for the week before winter break — low mess, high engagement, and easy to complete in one sitting. Teachers can prepare the template pieces ahead of time to make the process smoother for younger grades, or let older students cut their own. Once finished, the ornaments can be displayed on a classroom Christmas tree or hung along the walls for a festive touch.

At home, this reindeer ornament makes for a cozy afternoon activity. Put on a Christmas playlist, sip some hot cocoa, and let everyone craft their own reindeer. You can even turn it into a family keepsake tradition by writing each child’s name and the year on the back. Over time, you’ll have a collection of handmade ornaments that tell the story of your family’s holidays.

From an educational standpoint, this craft supports several key skills. Painting and gluing strengthen fine motor coordination, while tracing and cutting reinforce precision and focus. Following step-by-step directions builds sequencing and attention to detail. And choosing colors, assembling parts, and adding finishing touches encourage creativity and self-expression. It’s a well-rounded project that blends art, skill development, and holiday cheer.

From a practical standpoint, this project is teacher- and parent-friendly. The materials are inexpensive, the cleanup is easy, and the steps are simple enough to manage even with a large group. Plus, everything dries quickly, so you don’t have to worry about sticky hands or long wait times.

Pair It With a Christmas Book

You can also connect this craft to seasonal learning. After making the ornaments, pair the activity with a reindeer-themed read-aloud. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh is always a crowd favorite, full of humor and heart. The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett adds a touch of classic Christmas beauty with her detailed illustrations. For younger children, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brings the story to life in a way that’s simple and sweet. Reading before or after crafting helps children connect what they’re doing to the broader theme of Christmas and storytelling.

Extend The Activity

If you’d like to extend the activity, there are plenty of ways to build on it. For writing, kids can name their reindeer and write a short story or description about it — Where does it live? What kind of presents does it help deliver? For math, they could count how many reindeer are in the class or sort them by color. For science, you could introduce a mini lesson about real reindeer and where they live. The craft becomes not just an art activity but a springboard for all kinds of learning opportunities.

A fun holiday craft to cherish year after year

The Reindeer Ornament Craft is more than just a holiday project — it’s a memory-maker. Watching children proudly hold up their finished reindeer, complete with wobbly eyes and little smiles, is one of those moments that captures the true spirit of the season. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creativity, joy, and the pride that comes from making something with their own hands.

Whether you’re hanging these ornaments on a classroom tree, giving them as gifts, or adding them to your home collection, they’re sure to bring a little extra Christmas cheer. Simple, festive, and full of heart, this Reindeer Ornament Craft is the kind of project that makes holiday crafting truly magical.