Reindeer Paper Plate Craft for Kids (Free Template)

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I’m always looking for fun and easy ways to keep my kids busy during the holidays, and this Reindeer Paper Plate Craft for Kids is one of our favorites!

It’s a cute, hands-on Christmas craft for kids that’s simple to make and perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early elementary students. With just a few basic supplies, kids can create their own reindeer face that adds a festive touch to any classroom or home activity. This easy holiday craft is a great way to encourage creativity while making sweet Christmas memories together.

This DIY project includes a free printable template to make your own cute paper plate reindeer — complete with antlers, a red nose, and a big festive smile.

Paper Plate Reindeer Craft (Free Template)

This paper plate reindeer craft combines art, imagination, and a bit of holiday magic. It’s a fun and educational project that encourages young children to cut, glue, and paint while exploring shapes and colors.

Because this craft is perfect for preschool and kindergarten classrooms, it’s also a great way to help little ones develop hand-eye coordination and creativity.

Plus, the result — an adorable reindeer that looks like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — makes a great Christmas-themed decoration for home or school.

Supplies You’ll Need:

You’ll only need a few basic materials for this DIY craft:

• Paper plate
• Brown paint
• Scissors
• Marker
• Yarn
• Glue stick
• Brown paper

This craft is perfect for kids because the supplies are simple, inexpensive, and easy for young children to handle.

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How to Make the Paper Plate Reindeer Craft

This fun and easy reindeer craft is perfect for kids! Follow these simple steps to create your own adorable paper plate reindeer.

Step 1: Paint the Paper Plate
Start by painting your paper plate brown. Set it aside to dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Trace, Cut, and Draw the Smile
Use the template to trace the reindeer’s mouth, ears, and antlers on colored paper.

Before cutting them out, use a black marker to draw a cheerful smile on the mouthpiece. Then carefully cut out all the traced parts.

Step 3: Glue the Face Parts
Attach the cream-colored mouth section near the bottom of the paper plate.

Then glue the ears to the top sides of the head.

Step 4: Add the Eyes
Glue its eyes on the paper.

Or googly eyes to bring your reindeer to life.

Step 5: Attach the Antlers
Glue the antler pieces to the top of the reindeer’s head, right behind the ears.

Step 6: Make a Red Yarn Pom-Pom Nose
Take some red yarn and wrap it around your fingers several times.

Slide it off, tie the center tightly.

And trim the loops to create a fluffy pom-pom.

Step 7: Finish the Reindeer
Glue your red pom-pom onto the face to complete Rudolph’s bright red nose.

Now you’ve got yourself a cute little reindeer paper plate craft!

Includes a Free Printable Template

This project includes a free PDF template that makes assembling your reindeer easy. The template provides outlines for the reindeer’s ears, antlers, and muzzle, helping kids follow along with confidence.

Print the reindeer template, cut out the pieces, and glue them in place. The free template ensures the right proportions and outlines, so every reindeer turns out perfectly adorable.

A Perfect Christmas Craft for Kids

This craft is great for preschool and kindergarten children because it uses easy-to-handle materials and straightforward steps. It’s a fun activity that encourages independence while giving kids the joy of creating something festive.

Teachers can use the template to help each child make their own little reindeer, making this craft an excellent addition to any classroom Christmas crafts session.

Fun and Festive Seasonal Decoration

Once completed, your craft becomes a delightful Christmas decoration. Display it on a wall, hang it on a door, or add it to your seasonal table setup.

The finished project brings a touch of whimsy to any space, and kids will love seeing their adorable reindeer proudly displayed.

You can also personalize the reindeer by letting kids add glitter, colored paper, or even tiny bows. Each face will be unique, showcasing each child’s personality and imagination.

Encourage Creativity and Fine Motor Skills

This holiday craft helps young kids practice cutting, gluing, and painting—all great ways to practice fine motor skills. Kids can experiment with color, shape, and design while learning to follow a creative process from start to finish.

Personalizing the Reindeer Paper Plate Craft

This craft is easy to personalize! Try adding a sparkly twist by sprinkling glitter on the antlers or nose. You can also draw eyelashes or eyebrows with a marker for extra personality.

If you prefer a different color, kids can experiment with painting the paper plates in fun shades — maybe a snowy white reindeer or even a gold one for a festive look.

For younger kids, use large pieces to make cutting easier; for older ones, challenge them to draw or cut their own antler shapes using the template to make it unique.

A Fun Way to Celebrate the Holiday Season

If you’re looking for a fun and easy Christmas activity, this DIY paper plate reindeer craft is a perfect choice. It’s festive, educational, and keeps kids happily occupied during the holiday season.

Each reindeer’s smiling face is sure to spread cheer—whether it’s part of a classroom display, a home decoration, or a thoughtful handmade gift from your little ones.

Download the Free Printable Reindeer Template

To get started, download the free template and print it out for your next craft session. This template includes all the shapes you need to assemble your reindeer easily.

The template to make your reindeer is simple enough for preschool and kindergarten kids to follow and fun enough for elementary students, too. Use paper plates, brown paper, and paint to bring your favorite reindeer to life.

More Festive Paper Plate Crafts to Try

If you enjoyed making the Reindeer Paper Plate Craft for Kids, here are more holiday-themed paper plate crafts that will keep the Christmas creativity going.

• Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft – Build a cozy gingerbread house with this sweet and simple craft idea.
• Snow Globe Paper Plate Craft – Create your own winter wonderland inside a paper plate snow globe.
• Melted Snowman Paper Plate Craft – A funny and easy craft that captures the charm of a melted snowman.
• Christmas Penguin Paper Plate Craft – Make an adorable penguin friend to add to your Christmas craft collection.

This reindeer paper plate craft is one of the cutest and most enjoyable Christmas crafts for kids. It’s simple, quick, and gives impressive results every time. Children will love watching their reindeer come to life, with its bright red pom-pom nose, friendly eyes, and festive antlers.

So grab your paper plates, paint, and glue, and let your kids have fun making their own adorable reindeer. It’s a fun craft that combines creativity, learning, and joy—perfect for kids this holiday season.

Reindeer Paper Plate Craft

Yield: 1 Reindeer Paper Plate Craft

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

This Reindeer Paper Plate Craft is a fun and festive Christmas project that’s perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early elementary kids. Using simple materials like a paper plate, yarn, and construction paper, children can create their very own reindeer with a bright pom-pom nose and friendly smile. It’s a hands-on activity that encourages creativity, helps with scissor skills, and makes an adorable holiday keepsake. Whether used as a classroom craft or a cozy afternoon project at home, this reindeer craft is sure to spread Christmas cheer!

Print

Materials

• Paper plate
• Brown paint
• Black marker
• Brown construction paper
• Yarn or red pompom for the nose
• Scissors
• Glue stick or glue

Instructions

1. Prepare the Base:
   Begin by cutting the paper plate into the shape of a reindeer’s face. You can freehand the shape or use a printable template to trace the outline first. Once cut, paint the entire plate brown and set it aside to dry completely before adding details.
2. Create and Cut the Template Pieces:
   Using your brown construction paper, trace and cut out all the reindeer’s facial parts—such as the ears, mouth, and antlers. If you have a template, this step will be even easier for younger kids.
3. Assemble the Reindeer:
   Once the paint is dry, glue the cut-out pieces onto the paper plate one by one. Start with the mouth and ears, attaching them to the bottom and sides of the plate.
4. Add the Eyes:
   Cut two small circles from white paper for the eyes and use a black marker to fill in the pupils. Glue them onto the face just above the nose area.
5. Draw Facial Details:
   With your black marker, draw a big, happy smile across the reindeer’s face. You can also outline the eyes or add cute little eyelashes for extra character.
6. Attach the Antlers:
   Glue or tape the antlers to the top of the paper plate so they stick out behind the head. You can even decorate them with tiny paper “Christmas lights” or stickers for a festive touch.
7. Make the Pom-Pom Nose:
   Wrap yarn tightly around your fingers several times to create a small bundle. Carefully slide it off, tie it in the center with another short piece of yarn, and trim the loops to make a fluffy pom-pom. Finally, glue the pom-pom nose in the center of the face—this gives your reindeer that classic Rudolph look!
   

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