Lovey has been learning how to use the hot glue gun, so we’ve been trying a few new crafts that involve using one. Last year we our yarn-wrapped Christmas tree ornaments turned out so pretty that I thought it would be fun to make a reindeer version this year.

GET A FULL WEEK OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS LESSON PLANS.

We started with three craft sticks. We left two as is. We then used sharp scissors to cut one into three pieces, by first cutting the stick in half and then by cutting one of the halves in half again.

Then we got the hot glue gun out. We made a V with the two full size sticks. Then we glued the other pieces as shown to make a reindeer head. Lovey is just beginning to control the flow of the glue out of  the hot glue gun so there is extra glue here and there, but we left it showing since it is her creation.

We used hot glue to secure one end piece of brown yarn to the bottom of the reindeer head. Then Lovey sat and wrapped the yarn around and around. I didn’t expect her to be so meticulous about keeping the yarn straight, but she was. If your child prefers to wrap in a more abstract fashion, embrace it. Each little reindeer will  be even more unique.

Once she was done wrapping the dark brown yarn, we secured the end with hot glue on the back of the reindeer head.

Originally I envisioned using tan yarn to also wrap the antlers, but we liked the plain wood showing, so we decided to leave that step out.

Our final step was to add facial features. Lovey grabbed some pom poms from the set we received from CraftProjectIdeas.com, and she glued two black pom poms for eyes and one red pom pom for a nose.

Lovey decided she wants to leave her reindeer just like this and give it to a friend. You could also attach a magnet on the back and use it as a decoration, or you could attach a loop to the center stick before adding the yarn and use it as Christmas tree ornament. Or make a whole set of them and use them for counting activities and singing Christmas songs. Whatever you do, enjoy!

Playful Reindeer Learning & Fun

Inside the 30-page Shape Reindeer Process Art and Math set you’ll get:

• Complete list of material suggestions
• Full directions for using both sets of shape art templates
• 9 extension activities, including math and literacy, to help you teach additional skills and concepts using your kids’ creations
• Shape Set with Title and Borders
• Plain Shape Set for Cutting Out Reindeer Shapes
• Sorting Cards for Math Whole Group and Small Group Activities
• Class Book Cover Template

Get Your Shape Reindeer Process Art Set Here

More Reindeer Fun

Reindeer Play Dough

Reindeer ABC Matching

Reindeer Craft

Reindeer Antler Math

Feed the Reindeer Counting

Reindeer Books

GET A FULL SET OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES

The 169-page Christmas Lesson Plan Set includes hands-on activities and these additional printables:

1) Beginning Letters Gift Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

2) Reindeer Math Mats (2 versions in color and b/w)

3) My Christmas Senses Activity Book Making Pieces

4) 0-35 Christmas Number Cards (2 versions in color and b/w)

5) Christmas Counting Syllables Sorting Game (in color and b/w)

6) Christmas Picture-Word Cards (in color and b/w)

7) Ornament Play Dough Mats

8) Candy Cane Play Dough Writing Task Cards (shapes, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, number 0-20)

9) Christmas Light Patterns Activity Pieces (in color and b/w)

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.