Get Ready for the Holidays! Craft a Festive Reindeer Headband

The holiday season is a magical time, filled with stories, songs, and plenty of opportunities for creative fun! What better way to get into the festive spirit than by transforming into one of Santa’s trusty reindeer? This adorable DIY reindeer headband is a simple and charming craft perfect for preschoolers and early elementary children.

It’s a wonderful activity for holiday parties, school events, or just imaginative play at home. Let’s get crafting and bring some reindeer cheer to your little ones!

🦌 Get the FREE Reindeer Headband Layout!

Want to skip the drawing and cut perfect antlers every time? Download our free printable template! It includes the exact shapes for the antlers, ears, and nose, saving you time and making cutting easier for your little ones.

What You’ll Need:

Here are the simple materials you’ll gather to create your own festive reindeer headband:

• Headband Base: A strip of brown construction paper or cardstock long enough to wrap around the child’s head. Alternatively, use a cheap plastic headband.

• Antlers: Brown cardstock, brown felt, or brown craft foam.

• Ears: Light brown or tan construction paper/felt (or pink felt for the inner ear).

• The Nose: A large red pom-pom, a red circle of paper, or a red piece of felt (if making Rudolph!).

• Scissors

• Glue Stick or Hot Glue Gun (Hot glue recommended for securing the antlers, for adult use)

• Tape

Step 1: Prep the Antlers and Ears

1. Cut the Antlers: Draw and cut out two symmetrical antler shapes from the brown cardstock or craft foam. They should be tall and branching—a simple stick shape with two prongs works well for younger children.

2. Cut the Ears: Cut out two slightly rounded, pointed ear shapes from the light brown material. For detail, cut a slightly smaller inner ear shape from pink or tan paper and glue it inside the larger ear shape.

Step 2: Assemble the Headband Base

1. Paper Strip Method: Measure the brown paper strip around your child’s head, adjust for fit, and secure the ends with glue or a staple to form a loop.

2. Plastic Headband Method: Skip the paper strip. You will glue the antlers and ears directly onto a pre-made plastic headband.

Step 3: Attach the Features

This step often requires the best stability, so adult assistance with hot glue is recommended, regardless of the base used.

1. Attach Ears: Glue the base of the ears to the inside top edge of the headband loop or the plastic headband, angling them slightly inward.

2. Attach Antlers: Glue the bottom of the antlers right next to the ears (on the paper loop) or slightly behind the ears (on the plastic band). Make sure they stand straight up!

3. Add the Nose (Optional): If you are making Rudolph, secure the red nose (pom-pom or paper circle) right in the center, just above the child’s eyes.

Final Look