Reindeer Antler Handprint Craft
Christmas and reindeer are inextricably linked in the minds of young children, making reindeer-antler handprint crafts an easy project for December. Since fingers resemble the shapes of reindeer antlers, children can easily create a reindeer decoration in the holiday spirit. Paper, clay or painted hand and footprints form the essential elements in making a cute Christmas reindeer.
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Hands and Feet Reindeer
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Construction paper, scissors and glue are all you need to get started on a reindeer-antler handprint craft. Trace both hands and one foot on brown paper and cut out the shapes. Glue the prints at the toe end of the footprint as antlers. Finish the craft with wiggly or paper eyes and a red pom-pom puff ball for the nose. Punch a hole between the antlers and tie a loop of string through to hang it on your Christmas tree.
Reindeer Sculpture
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A durable handprint reindeer gives a new twist on simple handprint plaques commonly made by young children. Each child will need a block of modeling clay long enough for one footprint and wide enough for two handprints, one at each side of the footprint. Alternately, you may make concrete or plaster of Paris molds and pour in the wet mixture. The child steps on the soft clay or wet concrete or plaster, leaving a footprint. Then he presses his hands in at both sides of the toes for antlers. If you use clay or plaster of Paris, let it air dry or oven dry, and then paint the reindeer as desired. If you make a concrete sculpture, the child will need to work quickly to press beads or tiles into the wet concrete to give the reindeer color and form before the mixture hardens and dries.
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Finger and Footpaint Reindeer
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If you're not afraid of messy crafts, finger and foot painting may be for you. Have each child remove one shoe and sock and dip the bottom of his foot in brown paint. Press the foot to a large piece of paper to make the footprint; remember to help the child wash his foot off and put his shoe and sock back on. Then do the same with both hands, placing the handprints at both sides of the toes as antlers. When the brown paint dries, the child can finger paint the eyes and red nose.
Reindeer Crown
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Many children enjoy role-playing and around Christmas -- so the idea of pretending to be one of Santa's reindeer may spark their creative imaginations. Cut a wide brown strip of paper long enough to wrap around the child's head and tape it in a loop that fits securely. Draw eyes and nose or glue on wiggly eyes and a red pom-pom puff ball at the front. Glue or tape a craft stick on each side of the crown. Trace and cut out brown handprints and attach them to the craft sticks to enjoy a day as a reindeer.
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References
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