When the Christmas season hits, my kids suddenly want all the reindeer things. This simple paper plate reindeer craft is one of our favorites because it uses supplies we already have and turns into the cutest Rudolph-style friend in about 20–30 minutes. It’s perfect for a cozy afternoon at home or as a classroom Christmas craft that doesn’t require a ton of prep.
You can draw the pieces right onto the plate like we did, or use the printable reindeer template to make cutting even easier, especially if you’re crafting with a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Paper Plate Reindeer Craft
- Simple supplies – Just paper plates, paint, paper, and glue.
- Great for groups – Easy to batch-prep for classrooms, church groups, or parties.
- Fine-motor practice – Lots of cutting, painting, and gluing for little hands.
- Adorable keepsake – Hang on the fridge, use as Christmas decor, or turn it into a puppet for pretend play.
Supplies You’ll Need
- 2 plain paper plates
- Brown paint (and a paintbrush or sponge)
- Red paper or red paint for the nose
- White paper or cardstock (for eyes)
- Pink paper (for inner ears)
- Brown paper (for antlers, if you don’t cut them from the plate)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or liquid glue
- Black marker
- Paper Plate Reindeer Template
How to Make a Paper Plate Reindeer
1. Prepare and Cut Your Paper Plate Pieces
Lay a paper plate upside down. Lightly sketch guidelines to divide it into sections, then draw:
- Two long antlers
- Three ovals (two eyes and one nose)
Along the edge of the plate, sketch curved pieces that will become hooves and tail.
Use the second plate to cut:
- A triangle or wedge shape for the reindeer’s body
- A large wedge with curved top for the head
- Extra pieces for ears and feet if needed
Cut everything out carefully.
Shortcut: Print the template on cardstock, cut out the pieces, and trace them onto your plates instead of drawing everything by hand.
2. Paint the Reindeer Pieces
Paint the head, body, tail, and hooves a warm brown. Let kids cover the whole surface, including the ridged edge of the plates, it gives the reindeer such fun texture.
Set all the pieces aside to dry completely before gluing.
3. Add Ears, Eyes, and Nose
While the paint dries, cut:
- Two large white circles for eyes
- Two smaller black circles (or color them in with a marker) for pupils
- Two small pink triangles or rounded shapes for the inner ears
- A red oval for the nose (or paint one of your plate ovals red)
Once the headpiece is dry:
- Glue the pink inner ears onto the corners of the head.
- Glue the white eye bases down, then add the black pupils.
- Attach the big red nose right in the center, Rudolph style!
Use a black marker to add a little shine mark in the eyes if you’d like.
4. Glue on the Antlers
Glue the two antlers to the top of the back of the head so they peek out above the ears. You can angle them slightly to give your reindeer a fun, playful look.
5. Build the Reindeer Body
Take your painted triangle body piece and glue:
- Two hoof pieces to the bottom edge for feet
- The tail piece onto the back so it sticks out from the side
Then glue the finished head onto the top of the body so it overlaps slightly.
Let everything dry flat so the pieces stay secure.
Ways to Use Your Paper Plate Reindeer
- Christmas decor – Hang it on the wall, door, or fridge. Add a little ribbon loop on the back for easy hanging.
- Story time prop – Use your reindeer while reading your favorite Christmas books.
- Puppet show – Tape a craft stick to the back so kids can make their reindeer dance and “fly” with Santa.
- Classroom bulletin board – Have every child make a reindeer and create a whole “reindeer herd” display.
Craft Tips
- If you’re short on time, skip the paint and use brown paper plates.
- Younger kids can color instead of paint if that’s easier for your group.
- Pre-cut the small pieces (eyes, nose, inner ears) for preschoolers and let them focus on gluing and decorating.
- Let older kids customize with scarves, bells, or glitter noses.
More Fun Crafts to Try Next
When you’re done with your paper plate reindeer, keep the creative fun going with more kid-friendly crafts from Frosting & Glue:
- Paper Bag Penguin Puppet Craft – A cute winter animal kids can turn into a puppet show.
- Shape Mouse Craft – Practice shapes while making an adorable mouse friend.
- Groundhog Prediction Craft – A simple craft + writing activity for Groundhog Day.
Save this paper plate reindeer craft to your favorite Christmas board so you can find it again next year, and don’t forget to tag us when you make it. We love seeing your creations!
Grab the Paper Plate Reindeer Template
Want to make this craft even easier? Grab our printable paper plate reindeer template!
It’s perfect for home, classroom, or church use and helps you prep a whole herd of reindeer in no time.
