Reindeer Body Materials

• Caregivers must keep in mind that this craft's finished product will be relatively large, based on the size of each child's hand and foot. As a result, the reindeer body should be made of a durable material instead of basic sheet paper. Caregivers can use poster board, craft foam, construction paper, or even cardboard as a material choice.
  
  

Body Creation

• The reindeer's body has a number of different creation strategies. For colored materials, such as construction paper, ask the child to stand stationary on the paper. Trace the foot completely, but disregard the individual toe outlines. The outcome is a basic footprint ready for decoration. Alternatively, trace a child's foot onto a white material, such as craft foam. The child can color the foot creation with any color she chooses before decorating. Another idea is using the foot as a stamp. Place the child's foot into washable paint, allowing the child to choose the color. Carefully position the foot onto the material and stamp it, generating a detailed footprint memory. Cut the reindeer's body from the excess material for final decoration.
  
  

Antler Creation

• The reindeer's antlers are comprised of handprints. Similar to creating the reindeer's body, trace both hands onto the chosen material. However, caregivers must outline each individual finger, creating the antler's shape. Spread each child's hand out, making sure that each finger extends completely, especially the thumb. Trace both hands and cut them out. Using standard white glue or glue sticks, adhere the hands to the back of the foot's toe area, allowing the fingers to extend up as antlers. Depending on the child's age, caregivers or children can glue the pieces together.
  
  

Decorations

• The reindeer shape is ready for decorating after assembling the body and antlers together. Provide red felt for creating the lips and nose. Alternatively, red pompoms can be used for the nose and lips. Offer markers, wiggly eyes, stickers, foam cutouts, bells, and glitter for other creative reindeer face decorations. The finished reindeer footprint craft can be displayed on a bulletin board or taken home as a wall decoration. The reindeer can also be a Christmas tree ornament, requiring a small hole and hook for hanging onto a branch.