Holiday Boredom Buster – Reindeer Puppets

Having the kids home from school on the days leading up to the holiday is kind of a double-edged sword.  On one hand, it’s awesome to hear their excitement and laughter, because it just makes the whole time of year more festive.

On the other hand, you have to find ways to keep them busy so that you can complete all of those last minute holiday chores.  These paper bag puppets will require about 15 minutes of your time, then the kids can spend their time putting on plays while you finish your chores.  Man, that kind thought kind of makes me want to be a kid again.

You’ll need:

• Brown paper lunch bag
• Medium sized black or red pompom
• Craft glue
• Black, white, red and tan paper
• Miniature bells
• Scissors
• Gold glitter pen {or a plain ol’ sharpie will do}
• Glue Gun and glue

Directions:

Lay the paper bag out on the table, flap side up {flap being the bottom of the bag}.  Glue the pompom {red or black} onto the bottom center of the flap.  Cut out two white circles for the eyes.  Cut two smaller black circles to rest inside of the white circle.  Place the white circles down on the flap where you’d like the eyes.  Glue them down.  Glue the black circles onto the bottom center of the white circles.

Cut out a 1″ thick black strip of paper.  Cut the length so that it is the same width as the paper back.  Glue the strip down onto the make portion of the paper back, about 2″ down from the bottom of the flap.  Glue the bells down onto the black strip, so that they are spaced equally across the bag.

Cut out a large circle out of the red paper.  Glue it about 1/2″ to 1″ beneath the black strip of paper and the bells.  This is the reindeer’s name tag.  Using the glitter pen or a sharpie, write the name of the reindeer on the red circle.

Now, trace the kids hands on the tan paper.  Cut out the handprints and glue them onto the top side of the back of the bag to create antlers.

Repeat the process if you are making a whole herd.

Happy Holidays!

Mavis

**I’ve posted this tutorial before, but wanted to post it again for any new readers.