Children love to hear and read about reindeers--so this month our theme is "Deer to Us"

Scandinavian Style Reindeer Ornament


This ornament is reminiscent of the straw ones made long ago. 


Materials Needed:

brown cardboard
drinking straws or thin twigs
yarn or raffia for hanging
glue
scissors

Directions:

1.  Cut out reindeer shapes from the brown cardboard.
2.  Cut pieces of straw and glue along the edges of the reindeer shape OR break twigs into small pieces and glue along the edges of the reindeer shape. Let glue dry.
3.  Glue 2" - 3" pieces of straws or twigs to the back of the cardboard for the antlers and legs. Let glue dry.
4.  Glue or tape loop onto back of ornament for hanging.
The centers of the reindeer can be filled in with sand, glitter or salt to give it more texture if desired.  Just spread a little glue in the center and the sprinkle on the desired finish.

* If you make a bunch of these, you can turn them into a reindeer mobile!

This activity is great for teaching children how to "measure" since the straws or twigs need to fit the length of the edges.  It also involves a lot of cutting skills if using straws; or bilateral control and controlled strength if breaking the twigs. If you decide to fill the centers, this gives more tactile input to the craft.

Reindeer Ornament




Materials Needed:

Thread covered 2" Styrofoam ornament
Googly eyes (you can vary the size)
Felt or craft foam (cut into antlers and triangle ears)
1" pom-pom
1/4 or 1/2" pom-pom
4" piece of garland
Tacky glue
Q-Tip to apply tacky glue


Directions:

1.  Put glue on bottom of ornament and coil garland onto glue to form base (neck) of reindeer.
2.  Glue googly eyes in place.
3.  Glue 1" pom-pom where nose would go.
4.  Glue smaller pom-pom onto 1" pom-pom for tip of nose.
5.  Fold last 1/4 inch of antlers and ears and glue these "tabs" where the antlers and ears would go.
6.  Let dry.  These can be used as place cards  or table decorations, or add a ribbon to hang the ornament.

This craft is a good bilateral motor control craft.  It addresses position in space skills.  It is also very tactile with the pom-poms and felt and silk threads and garland.