Turn ordinary recyclables into adorable holiday decor with these egg carton reindeer! This fun Christmas craft is easy to make and perfect for both kids and adults. With their twig antlers and red pom pom noses, these little reindeer are the perfect mix of crafty and cute.
It’s a creative way to reuse materials and bring a bit of handmade magic to your holiday decorating. Whether you display them on a mantel, create a reindeer family scene, or use them as cute DIY ornaments, these reindeer will spread holiday cheer all season long!
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How to Make Egg Carton Reindeer
Materials:
- Egg carton
- Acrylic paint (peach and brown)
- Twigs
- Pom poms (brown and red; 1 cm)
- Flatback doll eyes (or black beads; 6mm)
- Acrylic paint markers (cream)
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut the egg carton pieces
- Cut a cone piece from an egg carton (the part in-between the cups). Trim the bottom so it’s flat and even. This is the reindeer’s head.
- Then cut a cup from the carton as well. This will be the reindeer’s body.
- Cut a small piece from one corner of the cone, at the bottom.
- This will allow the 2 pieces to fit together nicely.
Step 3: Paint the egg cartons
- Paint the reindeer’s head (the cone) a peach colour.
- Then paint the body (the cup) a medium brown.
- Allow to dry, and add second coats of paint if needed. Again, allow to dry.
- Cover one ridge of the head with brown paint, making the section wider towards the bottom. This will be the top of the reindeer’s head, so make sure the section you paint is opposite the small cut you made earlier.Allow to dry and add a second coat of brown paint, if needed.
Step 4: Put the reindeer together
- Add hot glue to the section of the head where you cut off a small piece.
- Attach the head to the body, holding them together until they stay on their own.
- For the reindeer’s legs, gather 4 straight twigs. Cut them so they’re even lengths, each about 2-1/2 inches.
- Glue the legs inside the egg cup, placing one on each “corner”.
- For the antlers, gather another 2 twigs. These ones should have little “Y” sections on one end.
- Add a generous amount of hot glue to the back base of the head. Stick the straight part of the antlers into the glue and arrange them so they’re going out on an angle.
Step 5: Add the finishing touches
- Glue a small brown pom pom to the back of the body for the reindeer’s tail.
- Then glue a red (or brown, depending on which reindeer you’re making) pom pom at the front, for the reindeer’s nose.
- Attach 2 black beads or dolls eyes on either side of the head, at the edge of the brown/peach paint, about 2/3 of the way back from the nose.
- Then use a cream coloured paint marker to add “freckle” details to the reindeer, on the top of its head and back.
- Your egg carton reindeer is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- Trim evenly: Cut each egg cup carefully so the reindeer heads sit flat and don’t wobble when displayed.
- Protect your workspace: Painting egg cartons can get messy, so use parchment paper, wax paper, or an old baking sheet underneath to keep cleanup easy.
- Turn them into ornaments: Glue on a small loop of string or ribbon near the base of the antlers and hang your reindeer on the tree for a cute DIY decoration.
What can I use for my egg carton reindeer’s eyes?
There are lots of fun options for the eyes on your egg carton reindeer! You can use small black beads, flatback doll eyes, or even safety eyes — just cut off the screw part or punch it directly through the carton. For a different look, googly eyes are also a classic choice!
Rolled-up pipe cleaner pieces work perfectly for a cute, textured look. And puffy paint is another option if you prefer a simple painted style — though we tried this and didn’t like it as much as the doll eyes we chose.
What if I don’t have sticks for the antlers of my reindeer egg carton craft?
No worries — there are plenty of creative substitutes! Pipe cleaners and craft wire make great flexible alternatives, and they’re easy to shape into fun, curly antlers.
You can even buy decorative branches or small faux sticks at most craft stores, or online, if you’d like a more natural look without heading outdoors.
What type of glue works best for this recycled Christmas craft?
Hot glue is the best choice for this project because it creates a strong bond and dries almost instantly, which helps the reindeer pieces stay in place.
If you prefer a kid-friendly option, tacky glue also works well, but it takes longer to dry — so you’ll need to be a bit more patient and make sure everything stays in position as it sets.
These egg carton reindeer are such a fun way to mix creativity, nature, and recycling during the holidays. With just a few simple materials, you can turn everyday items into a super cute Christmas craft! They’re a wonderful reminder that festive decorations don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest handmade projects bring the most joy and holiday magic!
Here’s even more reindeer craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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