Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament: A Classic Christmas Craft for Kids

Every holiday season needs a dash of red-nosed charm. The Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament is a simple, cheerful Christmas craft for kids that brings the famous reindeer to life using only a few supplies and a little imagination. With googly eyes, a red pom pom nose, and pipe cleaner antlers, this Rudolph craft for kids is a handmade treasure perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree.

a wood slice decorated to look like rudolph and made into an ornament for the tree

Why the Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament Is a Holiday Hit

Few characters capture the magic of Christmas quite like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. His glowing nose and kind heart have inspired songs, movies, and decorations for generations. This Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament transforms that beloved story into a hands-on Christmas ornament craft that’s easy enough for kids and still satisfying for adults to make with them.

This project blends rustic charm with playful creativity, so each ornament ends up a little different. Whether part of a classroom art project, a family crafting afternoon, or a Rudolph movie night activity, these ornaments add a homemade touch to any tree.

Supplies for a Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament

A few simple materials bring Rudolph to life:

wood slices googly eyes red pom poms and brown pipe cleaners

Small wood slice (smooth surface works best)
Googly eyes
Red sparkly pom pom (for the nose)
Brown pipe cleaners
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Twine or string (for hanging)
Scissors

This Christmas craft for kids requires minimal setup and uses materials often found in a basic craft bin.

Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament – Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Wood Slice
Start with a clean, dry wood slice. The natural grain gives Rudolph’s “face” a warm, woodland look. If desired, lightly sand any rough edges to make the ornament smooth to handle.

a wood slice with googly eyes and pipe cleaner antlers

2. Add the Eyes
Glue two googly eyes near the top center of the wood slice. Big eyes make Rudolph look curious; smaller ones give him a more traditional look.

3. Add the Nose
Attach the red sparkly pom pom right below the eyes. It’s perfect for Rudolph’s signature red nose, which everyone knows is the feature that makes him shine brighter than all the other reindeer.

brown pipe cleaners made to look like antlers

4. Create the Pipe Cleaner Antlers
Antlers are the fun part of this Rudolph craft for kids.

Take one brown pipe cleaner and cut it in half.
Cut smaller pieces from the end of each half.
Wrap each small piece around one side of the folded pipe cleaner, twisting them near the top to form antler branches.
Repeat the process for the other side to create a matching set.

The result should look like two antlers with a few offshoots.

a wood slice with brown pipe cleaner antlers attached

5. Attach the Antlers
Glue the antlers to the back of the wood slice. Once dry, they’ll stick out like Rudolph’s proud reindeer antlers.

wood slice with brown pipe cleaner antlers and string to create an ornament

6. Add the String or Twine
Cut a small piece of string or twine and glue or tie it to the top of the ornament. This loop allows it to hang beautifully on a Christmas tree branch.

7. Let It Dry
Give the glue a few minutes to set. Once everything feels secure, Rudolph is ready for his big debut among the lights and ornaments.

Making It Part of a Holiday Tradition

This Christmas ornament craft turns out wonderfully in groups. A classroom full of tiny Rudolphs can decorate a bulletin board or school tree, while a family can make a whole herd to give as handmade gifts. It’s quick, charming, and easily adaptable; add small bows, glitter, or even tiny jingle bells for variety.

Each version of this Christmas craft for kids captures a bit of character. The wood slices themselves vary in shape and grain, making each ornament unique.

It’s also a great project for developing fine motor skills, as kids practice twisting, gluing, and manipulating materials in creative ways. The combination of textures, like smooth wood, fuzzy pipe cleaners, and soft pom poms keep little hands engaged from start to finish.

Display Ideas for a DIY Reindeer Ornament

Hang them on the Christmas tree for a pop of red and natural texture.
Attach one to a wrapped present as a tag that doubles as a gift.
String several together as a garland for a classroom or playroom.
Create a “Rudolph Wall” by displaying them alongside other Christmas ornament crafts.

A group of smiling wood-slice Rudolphs can turn any space into a winter wonderland of creativity.

Why This Christmas Ornament Craft Shines Bright

The simplicity of this Christmas craft for kids is what makes it timeless. The materials are inexpensive, the steps are easy, and the result feels personal and joyful. Whether it’s hanging from a tree, tied to a wrapped gift, or given as a classroom keepsake, the Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament captures the magic of handmade holiday art.

This Rudolph craft for kids also celebrates creativity without perfection. No two ornaments will ever look exactly the same, and that’s what gives them charm. Each reindeer shows a little personality, reflecting the maker’s touch.

A Handmade Holiday Keepsake

The Rudolph Wood Slice Ornament blends storytelling, art, and memory-making in one simple craft. It celebrates the most famous reindeer of all while giving kids a chance to explore shapes and textures through creative play.

From the pipe cleaner antlers to the glittering red nose, each detail makes the ornament come alive. Over time, these homemade treasures can become part of the family’s annual decorating tradition, as a reminder of the joy found in creating something together.

This Christmas ornament craft proves that holiday magic doesn’t come from perfection in crafting, but rather from the laughter and imagination that fill the room while making it.

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