Reindeer Pencil Holder Craft for Kids

Place all your supplies on a clean, flat work surface. You will need your cardboard tube, brown paper, dark brown paper, white paper, black paper, red paper or felt, glue, scissors, pencil, ruler, and marker. Keeping everything together before beginning makes the craft easier for younger children to follow.

Measure the height and circumference of your cardboard tube. Cut a rectangle from light brown kraft paper that is large enough to wrap completely around the tube. Apply glue to the back of the paper and carefully wrap it around the cardboard tube. Press the overlapping edge firmly so the paper stays in place. Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes.

Next, prepare all the decorative pieces. From dark brown paper or foam, cut: - 2 antlers - 2 or 4 small hoof circles, depending on the style of feet you want From light brown paper, cut: - 2 outer ears - Small strips for the legs From white paper, cut: - 2 smaller inner-ear shapes - 1 oval or round muzzle - 2 tiny eye highlights if desired From black paper, cut: - 2 round eyes - 1 small smiling mouth From red paper or felt, cut: - 1 oval nose - 1 long strip for the scarf Try to keep the pieces symmetrical so the finished reindeer looks balanced.

Turn the cardboard tube so the seam is facing toward the back. Apply glue to the lower part of each antler. Attach one antler inside the back-left edge of the cardboard tube and the second antler inside the back-right edge. The antlers should extend several inches above the tube. Press them firmly in place until the glue begins to hold. For heavier cardstock or foam, craft glue usually holds better than a glue stick.

Glue the smaller white inner-ear pieces onto the center of the light brown outer ears. Once assembled, attach one ear to each side of the cardboard tube. Position the ears slightly below the antlers. Angle them gently outward to give the reindeer a friendly appearance. Make sure both ears are positioned at approximately the same height.

Now you can give your reindeer its personality. Glue the two black eyes onto the upper front section of the cardboard tube. If you are using paper eyes, add a tiny white circle to each eye to create a highlight. Next, glue the white muzzle below the eyes. Place the red oval nose near the top-center of the muzzle. Finally, glue or draw a small smiling mouth below the nose. Your reindeer face is now complete.

Cut a long strip of red felt, cardstock, or craft foam. Wrap the strip around the lower part of the cardboard tube. Position it underneath the reindeer's face so it looks like a winter scarf. Glue the overlapping section at the back. Leave one end of the scarf hanging slightly downward at the front or side. You can cut a small V shape into the end of the scarf to make it look more decorative.

Cut several small rectangular strips from light brown paper. Roll each strip into a short cylinder and secure the overlapping edge with glue. Cut dark brown circles that are approximately the same diameter as the rolled paper legs. Glue one dark brown circle onto the front of each cylinder. These circles become the reindeer's hooves. For a simple version, you only need two front legs. For a fuller 3D version, you can make four.

Apply craft glue to the side of each finished leg. Attach the legs near the bottom front of the cardboard tube. Angle them slightly outward so that the dark brown hooves remain visible. Hold the pieces in place briefly while the glue sets. Before moving the craft, allow the legs to dry completely.

Once all the glue has dried, your reindeer is ready to use. Place pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers, paintbrushes, or other lightweight craft supplies inside the tube. The colorful pencils also add a fun decorative element between the antlers. Your handmade Christmas reindeer pencil holder is complete.