Paper Plate Reindeer Handprint Craft for Kids

Turn a simple paper plate into a cute Christmas reindeer with this fun Paper Plate Reindeer Craft!

The best part of this project is the handprint antlers, which give the reindeer a fun handmade touch.

With brown paint, colorful paper pieces, and a few simple details, kids can create their own cheerful reindeer to display during the holiday season.

This craft is great for preschool, classrooms, Christmas parties, or a creative afternoon at home.

Let’s get crafting!

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What You’ll Need

Paper plate
Brown paint
Paintbrush
Pale orange or light yellow colored paper
Pink paper
Red paper
White paper
Black paper
Brown construction paper
Pencil
Scissors
Glue

How to Make a Paper Plate Reindeer

Step 1: Gather your supplies

Gather all the materials you need for your reindeer and set up your workspace.

Have your paper plate, brown paint, colored papers, scissors, glue, and other supplies ready before you begin.

Step 2: Paint the paper plate

Place the paper plate on your work surface.

Using brown paint, paint the entire front of the plate, covering the center and the raised edges.

Leave the plate aside and allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next steps.

Step 3: Prepare the reindeer pieces

While the paint is drying, prepare all the paper pieces for your reindeer.

Using a pencil, draw and cut the following:

Muzzle and two large ears from pale orange or light yellow paper
Two smaller inner ears and two cheeks from pink paper
An oval or rounded nose from red paper
Two small circles for the eyes from white paper
Two smaller circles for the pupils from black paper

Neatly cut out all the pieces and keep them ready for assembly.

Step 4: Prepare the inner ears

Take the two large beige or light yellow colored ear pieces.

Glue the smaller pink ear pieces onto them to create the inner part of the reindeer’s ears.

Set the completed ears aside for later.

Step 5: Assemble the reindeer’s face

Once the brown paint on the paper plate has dried completely, start assembling the face.

First, glue the white circles onto the upper middle area of the plate to create the eyes.

Then glue the smaller black circles inside the white eyes as the pupils.

Next, glue the beige or light yellow colored muzzle onto the lower middle section of the plate.

Then glue the red nose onto the center of the muzzle.

Finally, glue the pink cheeks on either side of the face.

Step 6: Make the handprint antlers

Now it’s time to make the reindeer’s antlers!

Place a sheet of brown construction paper on your work surface.

Trace around your hand with a pencil and carefully cut out the handprint.

Repeat the process to make a second handprint.

These handprints will become the reindeer’s antlers.

Step 7: Attach the antlers and ears

Take the two brown handprint antlers and the completed ears you set aside earlier.

Glue the antlers to the back of the paper plate, positioning them at the top with the fingers pointing upward and outward.

Then attach the ears to the back of the plate, placing one on each side of the antlers.

Make sure everything is securely glued in place.

Once everything is secure, your Paper Plate Reindeer is ready to show off!

Ways to use this craft:

Here are some creative ways to use this craft:

Use the paper plate reindeer craft as a fun Christmas activity for kids.
Display the finished reindeer as a festive holiday decoration.
Add the craft to a Christmas lesson plan or homeschool unit study.
Use the reindeer for storytelling and imaginative play.
Create a cheerful classroom or bulletin board display with several reindeer.
Make the craft during a Christmas party or holiday gathering.
Turn the finished reindeer into a festive room decoration.
Save the completed craft as a holiday keepsake to enjoy each Christmas season.

Final Words

This Paper Plate Reindeer Craft is a fun holiday activity that lets kids get creative while making a decoration they can proudly display. And those handprint antlers make each reindeer extra special.

So grab some brown paper, get those little hands tracing, and see how many festive reindeer you can create!

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