DIY Christmas reindeer using old cartons

Looking for a fun way to get into the festive spirit without too much hassle? There's nothing better than upcycling items that live conveniently around the home to create cute Christmas characters, like our DIY Christmas reindeer.

By upcycling old juice cartons or milk bottles, you can complete our Christmas reindeer craft, to bring some festive cheer to your home. Grab those supplies, roll up your sleeves and let's turn ordinary milk or juice cartons into the cutest little homemade reindeer on this side of the North Pole!

What you will need

PVA white Glu
Foam Pads
Extra Strong Glu Dots
Sticky Tape
Brown kraft paper or fun wrapping paper
Coloured card or paper
Scissors (child-safe or for use by an adult)
Empty milk cartons or juice cartons
Googly eyes, craft pompoms and festive embellishments
Pens and pencils

Difficulty

Average time

10-30

Cost

Print version!

Instructions

Step 1: Gather your craft supplies

To create your DIY Christmas reindeer, you’ll need to gather up your goodies: brown kraft paper, scissors, empty milk cartons, embellishments, pens and pencils, coloured card, and of course, your Bostik stationery goodies.

We recommend using PVA white Glu as its perfect for little hands with the easy-to-squeeze bottle, but Foam Pads, Glu Dots and Sticky Tape are also super handy for creating your DIY reindeer if you've got them.

Important

When cutting the materials for this Christmas reindeer craft, please ensure children are supervised to use scissors. If necessary, an adult should use the scissors on the child's behalf.

Step 2: Cut and wrap your old carton

Cut the brown kraft paper to size so that it wraps neatly around the entire milk carton.

Apply thin lines of PVA white Glu close to the edges of the brown paper and press the paper securely into place on the carton. Repeat to each side of the carton to cover all sides before allowing the glue to dry.

Alternatively, you could use Extra Strong Glu Dots or even Sticky Tape to secure your paper into place.

Step 3: Add the reindeer's eyes

To create your reindeer's eyes, apply two dots of PVA white Glu in your chosen spot and then press a google eye into each blob of glue and allow to dry.

Did you know?

PVA white Glu goes on white but dries clear, so it’s awesome for kids—they can see exactly where they’ve glued!

Tacky's tip

Extra Strong Glu Dots are also perfect for sticking small, fiddly embellishments in place, or use Foam Pads to create a 3D effect with your chosen embellishments.

Step 4: Add the iconic red nose

Take that milk bottle cap and turn it into the cutest reindeer nose ever! Squeeze a little PVA white Glu on the cap, then pop a red pompom on top and let it dry.

Feeling competitive?

Try a reindeer race—who can add eyes and a nose the fastest? Or slow it down and see who can make theirs the most unique!

Step 5: Add your reindeer's antlers

What’s a cute Christmas reindeer without antlers? Cut out some funky antlers from card, jazz them up with felt pens, and stick them to the sides of the reindeer’s “head” with a line of PVA white Glu. Let them dry, and you’re almost done!

Step 6: Decorate your DIY Christmas reindeer

Cue the magic finishing touches! Add details to your homemade reindeer to make it shine — funky eyebrows, a glitzy collar, you name it! Use your Bostik glues to stick your festive embellishments in place, whatever they may be.

Step 7: You're done!

That's it, you've upcycled your empty cartons and have completed our DIY Christmas reindeer craft. Now you have a festive friend to enjoy the holidays with! Don't forget to give your new friend a name before using your DIY reindeer in imaginative play, or to give as a gift, or to simply place under the Christmas tree.

Plus, feel cheerful that you've helped to keep your rubbish out of the bin, giving it a second life whilst creating a unique, personal gift that shop-bought supplies just can't match. It's a fun, budget-friendly way to get creative and resourceful!

Every time you turn “trash” into treasure, you’re helping the planet and making something that’s one-of-a-kind. Don't bin it, fix it. Become a #REPAIRHERO with Bostik!

Fancy another craft?

If you're looking for some craft inspiration, you can browse our ideas & inspiration page and filter #CraftWithBostik for more arts and crafts ideas.